HAMLET — Council members are hoping an updated resolution will help land a grant to continue improvements at City Lake.
The Hamlet City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution as part of the application process for a Rural Transformation grant from the N.C. Department of Commerce.
The $950,000 grant, if awarded, would go toward expanding the walking trail around City Lake.
City Manager Matthew Christian said the plan is to make the trail a loop around the 40-acre body of water, much like the path around Rockingham’s Hinson Lake.
“This is a re-submission of a grant we submitted for last year… we had to modify that application slightly to get more ‘points’ but the overall scope has not changed,” Christian told the Council.
Rockingham received a $750,000 grant in June 2022 for renovations to the old Food King property.
Click here to read about Rockingham’s grant.
“Things looking pretty good for that (approval)?” asked Mayor Bill Bayless.
“I hope so,” said Christian. “It’s the Rural Transformation Grant Program with the state and it’s very competitive so we’re hopeful and doing everything we can to get as much points as possible.”
Bayless then read the resolution into the official record and offered it up for board approval. A motion was made by Councilwoman Abbie Covington and seconded by Councilman Eddie Martin.
The trail extension is part of a Master Plan for City Lake approved by the Council in 2019 during the administration of Jonthan Blanton, who was city manager at the time.
An assessment of the structural integrity of the lake’s dam, which is part of the plan, is currently underway. Christian said overall, the dam is in good shape, they’re just making sure its stable enough to last an extended period of time.
Also in 2019, the city:
- worked out a deal with Vulcan Materials for 800 tons of rip-rap stone to line the lake’s shore; was awarded a $12,000 grant for a playground;
- was awarded $15,000 in grants for restoration of the caboose; and
- commissioned a mural near the Hamlet Senior Center, featuring the likenesses of late City Council member Joe Robinson and his grandchildren.
Other improvements for the area include a splash pad, extended boardwalks and restroom facilities.
Christian then presented the April events calendar which contained multiple happenings throughout the city.
Click here to read about the upcoming events.
The Council went into closed session for personnel matters but no action was taken afterward.
Councilmen Maurice Stuart and Oscar Sellers were absent from the meeting.
William R. Toler contributed to this story.
