Randleman plans for development on U.S. 311 bypass

March 1, 2013

RANDLEMAN — Randleman aldermen are planning for the future, approving a $137,000 expenditure Tuesday to develop plans to run water and sewer lines to the new U.S. 311 Bypass.

“We’re in a prime location,” said Mayor Tony Lowe. “We need to start thinking about the future growth of Randleman.”

“If we don’t do it, the county will,” said Alderwoman Melissa Blalock, speaking about the potential for development in the area.

Construction on the U.S. 311 Bypass, what will eventually be named Interstate 74, is projected to be completed by May 15, barring problems with weather or installation.

City Manager Ron Niland said the city currently has water and sewer lines running to the West Randleman Business Park on Island Ford Road.

In his presentation, Niland recommended hiring a firm to draw up the plans and specifications to extend those lines to the new bypass, roughly one mile south of the business park. The area lies within Randleman’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) and just outside the city limits.

Niland projected it would take three to four months to develop the plans and three to four more months to get approval from the state.

Niland emphasized this would not involve any construction. The goal would be to lay the groundwork for future development. He said when the time comes to actually put pipes in the ground, the city would apply for grants to help pay for that piece of the plan.

As for what type of development could be realized, Niland said he envisions projects similar to some of the industries already present in the city like Dart, The Timken Company and Rheem.

Niland said Randleman already has many advantages that would support industrial development. The city is well located near Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem. It is within a convenient drive to Charlotte or Raleigh.

“Added to that, we already have natural gas and rail access,” he said. “That’s huge.”

Source: The Courier Tribune