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In light of Shorty Wilson’s passing away this past August, I’ve been wondering if there were any plans for his business property in Summerfield. Then, last week I drove by and saw a “For Sale” sign in the parking lot.

Can you tell us anything about the sale and possible

uses for the Wilson’s grocery property?

Yes, we’ve been asked a couple of times about this in recent months and held off answering the question because the family was not ready to disclose their plans to sell the property, or what might

Accepting New Patients

4529 Jessup Grove Road, Greensboro (336) 605-0190 • northwestpeds.com

become of it. See the article on p. 18 of this issue for details about the asking price and potential uses for the property.

In light of the tragedy resulting from a 14-year-old girl being hit by a vehicle while walking along Haw River Road on Halloween night – and another tragedy involving an 11-year-old boy being hit by a car on Halloween in this same vicinity three years ago – it’s been suggested the town of Oak Ridge build more sidewalks to make its rural roads safer for pedestrians.

Can you tell me about the cost and timeline for building sidewalks, and if Oak Ridge has any plans for future sidewalks?

In response to this question and feedback the town has received since the most recent tragedy the reader refers to, Oak Ridge Mayor Ann Schneider told us she researched the cost and confirmed that constructing a single mile of sidewalk costs around $500,000, plus the significant time and cost of obtaining easements from property owners along the way.

“For example, constructing the ½-mile sidepath along Pepper and Haw River Roads to connect segments of the MST took two years to construct, mostly due to the complexity and time needed to obtain the necessary easements,” Schneider wrote in an email to the Northwest Observer.

“Oak Ridge has nearly 3 miles of sidewalks along key roads, plus a few more miles of sidewalks in residential neighborhoods,” she continued. “Over the next two years, we’ll complete another 1+ mile of sidewalks on N.C. 150 and 68 as part of

our intersection upgrades. In this case, NCDOT will contribute to the cost of the sidewalks, but I don’t know of any other case where they have chipped in (our share of the intersection improvements, including the proposed sidewalks, is estimated at $400,000.) Another mile or so of sidewalks in the town core (constructing the next few segments of sidewalks on N.C. 150 and 68) is slated as a next step and

SEEKING WATER

...continued from p. 1

supplying water just to Summerfield,” Whitaker said. In an interview after the meeting, he explained that Summerfield’s demand for water may not justify expenses that would be incurred by Greensboro to install infrastructure.

Rockingham County water officials “say they don’t have the capacity to supply Summerfield,” Whitaker said.

The county’s water tank near the old Bethany Elementary School is a potential source, but its 500,000gallon capacity is smaller than the 750,000-gallon tank that Freese and Nichols proposed for Summerfield, according to Whitaker.

Providing additional water to Summerfield would possibly require construction of another tank, an investment Rockingham County may be unwilling to make, the manager said.

Securing water from Reidsville provides the best option for Summerfield, Whitaker said. However, the likely route from Rockingham County to N.C. 150, east of Summerfield, would be “quite a long haul if you’re putting lines in the ground,” he said.

More sidewalks are planned in Oak Ridge, at a cost of about $500,000 per mile plus the time and cost of obtaining easements.

is included in our 5-year Capital Improvement Plan. “Looking further into the future, our Council plans to continue to allocate funding for sidewalks to enhance connectivity and pedestrian safety in accordance with our Pedestrian Plan (adopted in 2013) as well as the goals of our Strategic Plan,” Schneider wrote. “And speaking of the Pedestrian Plan, I believe we’re the only small town to have a Pedestrian Plan, developed by a citizen-led community. That plan continues to guide efforts to expand sidewalks as well as trails.”

Which Direction Are You Looking?

“Reidsville has, initially, the willing- Your wealth is about your future. ness to sell Summerfield water and Be sure your financial plan is, too. the capacity to sell us water, with the right infrastructure set up,” Whitaker said. “The challenge with them is their Life only moves in one direction: Forward. And that’s the same perspective proposed connection to Summerfield you should bring to your money. At First Citizens Wealth Management, we’re is not a very short, direct route.” a family-led financial company. And we bring a family sensibility to every

In discussions with Madison water decision we make ... always thinking forward and working to help clients officials, Whitaker said he’ll explore understand where they want to go. And how we can help them get there.whether the town’s tank at U.S. 220 and N.C. 704 would be a possible First Citizens Wealth Management. Forever First.® source for Summerfield. firstcitizens.com/wealth

If Summerfield were to buy water from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities, a possible route would follow N.C. 68 from Stokesdale, which already buys water from the supplier. Secondly, Summerfield could potentially run lines from Oak Ridge, INVESTMENTS | INSURANCE | RETIREMENT which is exploring the possibility of Your investments in securities, annuities and insurance are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government buying water from Winston-Salem/ agency and may lose value. They are not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by any bank or bank affiliate Forsyth County Utilities as part of long- and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested. Past performance does not guarantee future results. term planning for its municipal water First Citizens Wealth Management is a registered trademark of First Citizens BancShares, Inc. First Citizens Wealth system. If Oak Ridge were to run lines Management products and services are offered by First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, Member FDIC; First Citizens along N.C. 150 from Forsyth County, Investor Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, an SEC-registered broker-dealer and investment advisor; and First Citizens Asset Management, Inc., an SEC-registered investment advisor. Summerfield could possibly run lines Brokerage and investment advisory services are offered through First Citizens Investor Services, Inc., Member FINRA/ from Oak Ridge, according to Walker. SIPC. First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

Talking to Winston-Salem/Forsyth Bank deposit products are offered by First Citizens Bank, Member FDIC. County Utilities “could make some The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 sense if you could coordinate with Oak Ridge,” he said. DEC. 15, 2022 - JAN. 4, 2023 5