ROCKINGHAM — The city is expanding its property along Hitchcock Creek thanks to a donation by the family of a deceased resident.
The Rockingham City Council on Tuesday accepted the gifting of 1.8 acres of land off of Spivey Street from the estate of the late Fred D. Taylor.
The property, which is separated into two connecting parcels, will be used as a riparian buffer for conservation along the creek.
Assistant City Manager John Massey said the family no longer lives in the area and has no interest in the property.
“They initially tried to sell it — there was no interest in it,” Massey said about the landlocked parcels with no street access.
According to Richmond County GIS, the combined tax value of both tracts is $6,368.
“It’s certainly a very generous offer and we appreciate it,” said Mayor John Hutchinson. “We were able to build the Hitchcock Creek (Blue) Trail initially because of a lot of work from the city attorney, a lot of work from a couple of other attorneys in town, gifts from people. They really do make a big difference in the quality of life for Richmond County.”
The 14-mile paddle trail starts in Roberdel and follows the creek south past Steele Street — where there is a park with walking trails — then past U.S. 220, U.S. 74 Business, Midway Road, U.S. 74 Bypass and eventually to the Pee Dee River, passing several old mills along the way.
NEW BIDS SOUGHT
The council will meet again at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 14 to accept and award a bid contract for the city’s street resurfacing project.
City Manager Monty Crump said that only two bid proposals were returned in the initial process, but a minimum of three bids is required. However, only one is necessary for a re-bid.
The project will include resurfacing:
Several of the streets will also require milling and other work.
The project is expected to cost $1.2 million, according to Crump.
