The Town of Murphy is receiving $915,000 from the state’s Department of Commerce to recreate the four pocket parks into a viable downtown square. The award was announced by the North Carolina Department of Commerce December 15, with Murphy one of 42 local government units selected for an award. Murphy Downtown Director Laura Lachance, assisted by Mayor Tim Radford and Town Manager Chad Simons, led the town’s application efforts.
- “More support for North Carolina’s rural communities is on the way with these transformative grants, made possible by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “These funds, backed up by the expertise of our rural development team at the Department of Commerce, will bring more economic opportunity to people across the state.”
The plan calls for a brick-paver design to be installed at all four pocket park corners, with downlights and other enhancement features – including a small stage in the eastern open space of the Town square. The stage will provide a venue for small concerts, films, civic events, and other activities. “We are very excited about what this means for downtown Murphy, and what it will do to make our town more inviting and pedestrian-friendly,” said Mayor Tim Radford. “It’s only going to add even more great things to an already vibrant downtown area,” Mayor Radford added.
The Town became a Main Street community last July, and this latest announcement is another great example of the town’s Main Street status paying tangible dividends. “The improvements we will make with this grant are a huge step in making downtown Murphy a more inviting place for residents and visitors,” said Downtown Director Laura Lachance. “The future investments made possible by this grant will help downtown Murphy sustain and build upon an already great downtown economic environment,” Lachance said. “I also really want to thank Allison Platt of Regeneration by Design, who helped our team make our vision into a solid plan that won over commerce officials,” Lachance added.
- Over sixty local government units applied for funding through the latest Rural Transformation Grant Application round, with 21 receiving an award. The Town will begin the planning process to carry out the project early next year.
- Bid Advertising tentatively scheduled for July/August 2024.
- Construction tentatively scheduled for Fall 2024.