The Town of Tryon will begin major streetscape projects that will cost approximately $200,000, with the contract beginning June 1. The projects will include repaving and sidewalks downtown and on Peake Street. 

During Tryon’s April meeting, council approved contracts with Trace and Company, with the contracts beginning on June 1 and the work scheduled to begin shortly thereafter. The town is giving Trace and Company 90 days, or until September, to complete the projects.

Tryon’s board of commissioners has been discussing the need for street work and sidewalks most of the year and have been back and forth on which projects to include initially.

The first project will begin on Oak and Pacolet Street to coincide with the work currently being done at Missildine’s. The Oak Street project, contracted for $81,814 will include redoing existing sidewalks, adding a sidewalk down Oak Street and improvements to the intersection.

Other projects approved include repaving Peake Street between East Howard and Shepherd Street ($29,247), repaving East Howard Street from North Trade to the Oak Street intersection ($52,604) and installing a new sidewalk to match other sidewalks from Missildine’s to the Tryon Theatre ($32,099). Those projects are estimated at $195,764. The town has also decided to do infrastructure work while repaving Howard Street. The town has discussed contracting the infrastructure work, but decided last month to do the work in-house, for an estimated $10,000-$12,000.

During the town’s April meeting, there was confusion on which projects were approved to move forward. Council discussed bids that did not include Peake Street repaving nor the sidewalk from Oak Street to the theater. Commissioner Roy Miller said he thought the town was trying to repave Peake Street at the same time as the Oak Street project. Commissioner Crys Armbrust questioned why the sidewalk was not included saying the discussion in March definitely included the sidewalk from Oak Street to the theater.

Some thought in March council had agreed to wait on Peake Street until the town saw what infrastructure repaires were needed. Miller said he would like to see Peake Street included in the projects.

Miller also said he thought the infrastructure was going to be done in house. Town manager Joey Davis said the infrastructure on Howard can be done in house, but it’s a timing issue.

Town attorney Bailey Nager said looking at the March minutes, Miller requested Peake Street be put on the agenda in the early part of next fiscal year. Miller said he wanted to rescind that and put Peake Street on the current project list.

“I don’t want to leave Peake Street out,” Miller said, “not at $29,000.”

Council approved contracts last month for Peake Street, Howard Street, Oak Street exchange and the Trade Street sidewalk. The town discussed last month borrowing the money. Council previously discussed taking some out of its fund balance and a small portion from its Powell Bill fund.

Council meets again tonight, Tuesday, May 17 at 7 p.m. in the McCown meeting room of town hall.