Reviews letters of support from depot, business association

SALUDA – Rails to trails, a Landrum-to-Saluda project concept that has come back to the forefront after several years of quiet, was on the City of Saluda’s board of commissioner meeting agenda Monday night, April 10.

The discussion centered on a letter and resolution from the Saluda Historic Depot in support of the Saluda Grade Trail Committee, a letter from the Saluda Business Association also in support of the Saluda Grade Trail Committee, and a draft letter from Landrum Mayor Robert Briggs to Norfolk Southern.

“They [Norfolk Southern], I don’t think, intend on relinquishing this rail line, and Landrum is interested in trying to do some kind of a rails to trails project,” Saluda Mayor Fred Baisden said during the meeting. “Tryon was [interested] until people came forth several years ago voicing their concerns about what is going to happen to their properties. They’ve kept putting it off.”

Saluda reviews Landrum’s letter to Norfolk Southern

Saluda received a draft letter dated March 3, 2017 from Briggs to Norfolk Southern’s Atlanta office asking the railroad company to consider selling the 31 miles of the “idle” W line from Inman, S.C. to East Flat Rock, N.C. The same letter was discussed by Tryon council during their meeting on March 21, with residents voicing both opposition and support.

“We are aware that your company has already disposed of the 26 miles of track from Asheville, N.C. to East Flat Rock, N.C. in 2014, via a sale to Blue Ridge Southern Railroad,” the letter stated. “The purpose of this letter is to advise you that our towns and people have a strong interest in acquiring the ‘idle’ W line from Inman, S.C. to East Flat Rock, N.C., a total of approximately 31 miles of track.”

The rail would then be converted to a walking path for pedestrians and Saluda was asked to join with Landrum and Tryon in fact finding before going to Norfolk Southern, according to Baisden.

Saluda Depot supports effort

On Monday night, Saluda also reviewed a letter, dated April 10, 2017, from the Saluda Historic Depot and its chair Judy Ward supporting the efforts of the Saluda Grade Trail Committee.

This letter copied the resolution adopted by Landrum in 2010 and asked Saluda commissioners for their support for the Saluda Grade Trail Committee. Seven years ago, Landrum adopted a resolution to support the Saluda Grade Trail Committee in converting the Norfolk Southern rail right-of-way between Saluda and Landrum should the line be retired.

“The rail is unlikely to be put back into service in the foreseeable future, and whereas, conversion of said rail bed into a recreational trail could provide a permanent recreational exercise facility for local residents and visitors,” Saluda Historic Depot’s letter explained. “Norfolk Southern Corporation’s rail between Landrum and Saluda (line W) has not been utilized for rail traffic since 2001.”

The letter listed benefits of converting the rail bed into a recreational trail, from providing a permanent recreational exercise facility for local residents and visitors to preserving the Saluda Grade and educating the school children of Saluda about the town’s heritage and importance of the railroad.

Saluda Business Association supports effort

The Saluda Business Association wrote a letter dated April 10, 2017 to the Saluda Board of Commissioners and signed by SBA President Marc Blazar, which said the association unanimously supported the Saluda Grade Trail Committee and asked Saluda to consider passing a resolution in support as well.

“Recognizing the importance of the railroad to Saluda’s history and flourishing during the 20th century, and recognizing that the line between Landrum and Saluda has not been used for over 15 years, we are enthusiastic about the potential for renewed growth with the possible conversion to a suitable use for the 21st century,” the letter from the SBA said.

“The rails to trails project in Traveler’s Rest changed that town,” Baisden said, adding that it helped the area because the project led to new restaurants and businesses.

Commissioner Carolyn Ashburn made the motion to adopt a resolution to support the Saluda Grade Trail Committee.

Commissioner Stan Walker said he would prefer to make a motion to assist in fact finding, and said he did not want to spend any money towards the project at this time.

Heartwood Gallery owner Shelley DeKay said no money would be spent if the commissioners just gave the Saluda Grade Trail Committee their support.

“I think the letters from the Saluda Historic Depot and the Saluda Business Association are just asking that you voice your support for the Saluda Grade Trail Committee,” DeKay explained. “There are many people from the communities that are working on this and volunteering. If they have the support on either end, they can do the initial work to get this started. It didn’t sound like they were asking for any money.”

Jana Berg, Saluda city attorney, said the 2010 resolution is a long-term effort and that she would prepare a resolution in support of the efforts of the Saluda Grade Trail Committee for Saluda’s next board of commissioners meeting in May.

Landrum 2010 Resolution Rail Support

Landrum Letter To Norfolk Southern

Saluda Business Association Letter

Saluda Historic Depot Museum Letter