EXHIBIT 11: HWY 221A AND HWY 221 RIVER ACCESSES

3.2 BROAD RIVER PADDLE TRAIL

The Broad River Paddle Trail includes approximately 42 river miles extending from the Lake Lure dam southeast to the county line. The only two existing developed access areas are located at Grays Road and Coxe Road, while two (2) additional accesses are now “shovelready” as part of phase one implementation of Rutherford Bound.

Exhibit 11: River Accesses

The Hwy. 221A and Hwy. 221 river access are now shovel-ready. This means land is secure, engineering is completed, and permits are in-hand. However, due to increases in construction costs, current construction bids remain too high based on the $500,000 in grant funds that have been secured. Two paddle trail access points have been approved on the Broad River and are currently in the development stages. Primary funding has been secured to begin implementation of both of these projects, engineering is underway, and construction is scheduled to begin once fully funded.

STRATEGIC ACTION PRIORITIES

BRP1 Hwy 221 & Hwy 221A Implementation

These two priority river accesses have been fully designed and permitted. The RCTDA and its partners will raise the additional funds necessary to construct the Hwy. 221 and Hwy. 221A river accesses in 2023.

BRP2 Land Acquisition

Conduct landowner outreach along the Broad River, particularly at key locations identified within the 2018 Rutherford Bound Master Plan, to secure properties necessary to fully develop the Broad River Paddle Trail.

3.3 THERMAL BELT RAIL TRAIL ENHANCEMENTS

The RCTDA and Thermal Belt Rail Trail Partners continue to work to develop the most compelling and unique Rail Trail in the Southeast. The TBRT Enhancement Master Plan (completed spring 2021) highlights numerous opportunities to improve the well-used trail by installing adjacent trail features including public art, murals and sculpture, signage, landscaping, pocket parks, gardens, and other amenities.

STRATEGIC ACTION PRIORITIES

TBRT1 Landscape Enhancements

Continue to implement the TBRT Enhancement Master Plan with the installation of landscaping along the TBRT.

TBRT2 Public Art Enhancements

Identify and partner with the local arts community to develop numerous public art sculptures and murals along the TBRT.

TBRT3 Spur Development

Continue to pursue the development of spurs and trail connectors to Bostic, Union Mills, Isothermal Community College, and the Rutherford County walking path.