SALUDA – The sidewalk repair in front of Thompson’s Store in downtown Saluda is nearing completion with concrete pouring occurring this week.

The Saluda Board of Commissioners met May 8 and approved appropriating up to $15,000 to replace another 15 feet of sidewalk in front of Heartwood Gallery as part of the project.

City manager Jon Cannon told commissioners the renovation in front of Thompson Store was in process with the curbing already installed and sidewalk panels in  process. Phase I was close to completion at the time of the meeting and Phase II was approximately 60 percent complete.

Cannon said originally, Phase I anticipated the ramp to remain in front of Thompson’s but once the sidewalk was removed, the sidewalk underneath the ramp was found to be compromised.

“A cavity in the soil had formed underneath the ramp,” Cannon said. “This required removal of the ramp.”

Cannon also detailed issues at Heartwood Gallery, which continues to see water issues from the creek running underneath their building. The owners told the city the foundation of the building continues to be threatened and recent rains created unprecedented water levels underneath the building.

Owners Tom and Shelley Dekay said addressing the foundation issue requires the sidewalk in front of Heartwood be removed along the face of the building.

Cannon said staff recommends the board authorize the expansion of Phase I of the Main Street expansion project to include the replacement of the ramp and Phase II to incorporate repair of the drop inlet and culvert in front of Heartwood Gallery.

The addition will include an additional 15 feet of sidewalk and creek channel culvert replacement in front of Heartwood.

The expansion will repair a deteriorating culvert and creek channel as well as allow Heartwood Gallery owners to repair the foundation of the building.

“This also provides the opportunity for the city to repair and replace an additional 15 feet of the city sidewalk,” said Cannon.

Figures from the contractor indicate the addition will be between $10,000-$15,000.

The additional funding will be taken from the anticipated unused salaries line item in the transportation budget.

Saluda’s Main Street project is progressing with trees installed on Thursday morning as well as a bench later Thursday, thanks to a grant from the Polk County Appearance Commission.

Later, the city plans to include a street lamp, new trash and recycle cans and a bistro table. Saluda is redeveloping the entire Main Street sidewalk as funding becomes available. Cannon said the sidewalk along Main Street has heaved and settled over time with the portion of the sidewalk in front of Ward’s Grill settling close to four inches after a sewer repair was completed about four years ago.

“To protect pedestrians, unsightly traffic cones have been part of the Main Street landscape for two years because of the trip hazard,” said Cannon. “The city chose this area as the first phase of redeveloping the historic Main Street.”

The current project covers approximately 65 ft. of sidewalk at a cost of $62,000.

Part of the project also included excavating the old granite creek channel under the sidewalk, which was revamped to a 36-inch pipe encased in gravel, according to Cannon.

The City of Saluda is accepting donations at Saluda City Hall for the next phase of the streetscape project. The city plans to continue redeveloping some each year as funding becomes available.