Will Spring Lake's Main Street ever get a makeover? Here's the latest
Spring Lake has a rich history and a resilient spirit. Despite its noteworthy heritage, the town’s main street has long resembled a ghost town.
Town officials hope a grant from the N.C. Department of Commerce will help return Main Street to its former status as a bustling town center.
Main Street's History
Many Spring Lake residents credit Arthur E. Priddy with founding the town. He opened the first Texaco service station named Spring Lake in 1923; built homes for soldiers; and established a bus route to the base. His first family homes were on Main Street, where the Howards later operated the first post office, making Main Street the heart of Spring Lake.
An example of Main Street's declining economic growth over time can be seen in the Spring Lake Hardware store, which opened in 1946 and stayed in business until 2003, according to the town's official website.
What do Spring Lake officials want to do with Main Street?
Town leaders hope to receive a revitalization grant to enhance the town's infrastructure, making it more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and accessible to all residents. Spring Lake Mayor Kia Anthony explained the three-phase plan for the revitalization starts with renovating sidewalks; installing planter boxes and planting seedlings for aesthetic improvement; and burying powerlines to maintain clear views of the skyline. The town is reapplying for a Rural Transformation Grant through the N.C Department of Commerce after its first submission had some errors.
"We will use some of those funds to beautify those dilapidated buildings and, beyond the revitalization plan, encourage economic growth for small business owners,” Anthony said.
Other efforts spearheaded by Anthony include the First Fridays on Main initiative, an event hosted by the town that began last year and was designed to bring the community back to the city center. Live music, food trucks and local craft vendors are at the event.
“Main Street is historically the heart of Spring Lake,” Anthony said. “Our Veteran’s Park is also located on the corner of Main and Ruth streets, which is undergoing a complete overhaul. We want to create a hub for our community to grab a bite to eat or coffee and enjoy Spring Lake.”
What happened?
In 2002, military planners decided to close off Bragg Boulevard to through traffic to heighten security measures around the post since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. This had major repercussions for small business owners on Main Street, as soldiers began staying on post during lunch breaks because it was a hassle to return to the various new security checkpoints on base, the Observer previously reported.
Business in the Observer story said they feared that closing Bragg Boulevard could alter the relationship between the military and civilian communities. According to the reporting, attempts to revitalize Spring Lake's main street are not new, and the traffic issues may have made bringing new life to this area even more challenging.
Reporter Lizmary Evans covers growth and development for The Fayetteville Observer. You can reach her at LEvans@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Will Spring Lake's Main Street ever get a makeover? Here's the latest
