A downtown Tryon building owner is repairing a culvert that caused a sinkhole in front of Daniel Dry Goods and Tryon Gold & Coin last summer following heavy rains.
Owner R.B. Scruggs’ son, Bob Scruggs, is handling the repairs and said the culvert has shifted so crews are digging 12 to 14 ft. down to reach the problem.
Heavy rains during July 2013 caused a sinkhole in front of the businesses and Scruggs has been attempting to receive assistance since then from the insurance company, the N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Town of Tryon.
The culvert runs under the building and is the same culvert that caused a sinkhole last year along Palmer Street. The Town of Tryon repaired that sinkhole.
Scruggs asked the state to reroute the culvert so it no longer runs under the building, but the state denied the request saying it would be too expensive, according to Scruggs.
Scruggs also approached Tryon Town Council in October 2013 asking the town to replace the culvert, fill it in and his father would pay to repave the area over it.
Scruggs told Tryon officials his attorney thinks the culvert belongs to the town since the town’s water runs through it.
The town continued the discussion regarding Scruggs’ request during a closed session meeting and according to Scruggs, denied the request saying the culvert was on private property.
Scruggs told council the state put in a catch basin manhole and all the water coming from the coffee shop down Trade Street empties into the manholes at that point.
Scruggs also said at some point either the town or the state replaced the entire culvert underneath the building.
Scruggs said he hopes repairs will be completed this week or next week. Business to both stores  has been interrupted during the construction, but Scruggs said he offered to reduce the rent to make up for the disruption.
R.B. Scruggs owns all three buildings on the block, including the building that houses Daniel Dry Goods, Tryon Gold & Coin and St. Luke’s thrift store.