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District, and has been showing those sites to visiting business prospects (1), site section <br />consultants (2), and NC Department of Commerce state economic developers (5). <br />The new economic development website, www.GrowlnOranaeNC.com, also links to <br />Waterstone and Hillsborough Economic Development District site maps. <br />Staff also proposes meeting more regularly with Hillsborough's Planning staff, Chamber, <br />and other Hillsborough leadership, as has already been occurring, in order to build additional <br />collaboration opportunities. <br />Margaret Hauth gave an update on the Strategic Growth Plan from 2007 where they <br />talked about where the boundaries of the town and county should be. Both jurisdictions are <br />now ready to move forward. <br />Commissioner Yuhasz asked about the timeline for the next steps in this process and he <br />would want to review all of the information to this point and what it will take to move the more <br />critical issues along. <br />Craig Benedict said that he could sit down with Margaret Hauth and come back with a <br />timeline. <br />Commissioner Yuhasz said that the emphasis has been to work on the economic <br />development issues, but they need to see about this plan and if it can fit into some of the <br />economic development projects the County is developing. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that he wanted to urge the boards to put their efforts forth so <br />as to complete the process that started years ago. <br />Mayor Stevens said that the Town is on board with this to move forward. <br />f) Update on Riverwalk and its Economic Impact <br />Margaret Hauth referred to the map in the packet. A grant request has been submitted <br />to the State. <br />The Town has completed conceptual planning of Phase II of Riverwalk. The color <br />coded attached map details the various portions on the project. The Town has submitted a <br />grant request to the State Parks and Recreation Trust Fund seeking $425,000 to fund final <br />design and construction of the portion of Riverwalk connecting Gold Park to River Park. The <br />Town will also be seeking $75,000 from the State Recreational Trails Program next year to <br />further support this project and expects to match these funds with local funds to fully fund this <br />high priority project. The Town also hopes to modify the current Congestion Mitigation and Air <br />Quality (CMAQ) funding for Riverwalk to fund some necessary sidewalk improvements that <br />connect neighborhoods to Riverwalk to greatly enhance safe access to this community <br />resource. Shortly, the Town plans to begin construction on the Calvin Street connecting path to <br />provide safe pedestrian access to Gold Park and Riverwalk from Calvin Street to access the <br />covered walkway under the railroad. This facilitates pedestrian access into Gold Park and <br />avoids the use of the trestle for walkers. <br />Further connections to the east and west have been delayed for cost considerations. <br />The Town now expects the trail surface to change heading west from Allison Street and east <br />from Cameron Street based on desires of the resources that the trail will connect to and the <br />unique landforms being crossed to make those connections. Neither Classical Home <br />Preservation Trust nor the Occoneechee State Natural Area actively permit wheels on their <br />path systems, so pavement is not necessary or desirable for these sections. A schedule for <br />