On Tuesday, leaders cut the ribbon on a $1.45 million Main Street revitalization project in Spindale, North Carolina, as the community joins the future of place-based economic development.
SPINDALE, North Carolina—Leaders of the historic textile community of Spindale are celebrating their beloved small town becoming a thriving source of economic growth in Rutherford County
This ribbon cutting ceremony celebrated the completion of Phase One of the town's streetscape project. The updates include several features such as widened sidewalks, street trees, custom bike racks and benches, street lighting, and new crosswalks linking Main Street to the Thermal Belt Rail Trail. The project represents a significant step toward reviving Spindale's downtown into a memorable stop along the Thermal Belt Rail Trail.
Spindale's vision includes modernized public spaces, enhanced retail opportunities, and heightened pedestrian access to welcome trail users into downtown, making it a primary destination along the nearly 14-mile trail.
Spindale Mayor, Micky Bland, opened his comments by referring to Downtown Spindale as 'rail trail central' because "we are centrally located between the east and west parts of the trail." He included that this is the first major renovation done in Spindale in 100 years.
Spindale's local leadership and community members have spearheaded this project--one of many infrastructure projects throughout Rutherford County that are part of Rutherford Bound (rutherfordbound.com). This countywide tourism development plan aims to revitalize and enhance quality-of-life infrastructure across Rutherford County through streetscape enhancements, improved parks, pedestrian areas, and a system of greenways, trails, and river access points.
"This project is about connecting people with places. It's about connecting the community. It's about placemaking," said Spindale Town Manager Scott Webber. "All of these things are what brings a community together and what makes us a thriving community."
"What the commissioners and leaders have done here is create a platform to grow small businesses and to make entrepreneurship flourish in Rutherford County," said Eric Woolridge, Director of Planning at Destination By Design, the design firm responsible for the project.
Rural communities embracing this type of change are creating exciting new places for visitors, where families can call home, and where businesses and investors can seek growth opportunities.
"The Rutherford Bound initiative is a countywide asset development plan for all of our communities," said Don Cason, director of the Rutherford County Tourism and Development Authority. "From Bostick to Rutherfordton to Chimney Rock to Ellenborough. This is the future of Rutherford County."
Multiple phases will be required to complete the entire Spindale streetscape master plan, and fundraising and grantmaking efforts will continue as the town and community stakeholders work to further realize the funds needed.
Donations are being raised for additional phases. To learn more about financial partnership opportunities and the infrastructure projects underway in Rutherford County, take a look at all of the current projects.
On Tuesday, leaders cut the ribbon on a $1.45 million Main Street revitalization project in Spindale, North Carolina, as the community joins the future of place-based economic development.
SPINDALE, North Carolina—Leaders of the historic textile community of Spindale are celebrating their beloved small town becoming a thriving source of economic growth in Rutherford County
This ribbon cutting ceremony celebrated the completion of Phase One of the town's streetscape project. The updates include several features such as widened sidewalks, street trees, custom bike racks and benches, street lighting, and new crosswalks linking Main Street to the Thermal Belt Rail Trail. The project represents a significant step toward reviving Spindale's downtown into a memorable stop along the Thermal Belt Rail Trail.
Spindale's vision includes modernized public spaces, enhanced retail opportunities, and heightened pedestrian access to welcome trail users into downtown, making it a primary destination along the nearly 14-mile trail.
Spindale Mayor, Micky Bland, opened his comments by referring to Downtown Spindale as 'rail trail central' because "we are centrally located between the east and west parts of the trail." He included that this is the first major renovation done in Spindale in 100 years.
Spindale's local leadership and community members have spearheaded this project--one of many infrastructure projects throughout Rutherford County that are part of Rutherford Bound (rutherfordbound.com). This countywide tourism development plan aims to revitalize and enhance quality-of-life infrastructure across Rutherford County through streetscape enhancements, improved parks, pedestrian areas, and a system of greenways, trails, and river access points.
"This project is about connecting people with places. It's about connecting the community. It's about placemaking," said Spindale Town Manager Scott Webber. "All of these things are what brings a community together and what makes us a thriving community."
"What the commissioners and leaders have done here is create a platform to grow small businesses and to make entrepreneurship flourish in Rutherford County," said Eric Woolridge, Director of Planning at Destination By Design, the design firm responsible for the project.
Rural communities embracing this type of change are creating exciting new places for visitors, where families can call home, and where businesses and investors can seek growth opportunities.
"The Rutherford Bound initiative is a countywide asset development plan for all of our communities," said Don Cason, director of the Rutherford County Tourism and Development Authority. "From Bostick to Rutherfordton to Chimney Rock to Ellenborough. This is the future of Rutherford County."
Multiple phases will be required to complete the entire Spindale streetscape master plan, and fundraising and grantmaking efforts will continue as the town and community stakeholders work to further realize the funds needed.
Donations are being raised for additional phases. To learn more about financial partnership opportunities and the infrastructure projects underway in Rutherford County, take a look at all of the current projects.
A convergence of the new Thermal Belt Rail Trail with a revitalizing Main Street, promises to remake Spindale, NC’s, historic downtown.
On November 19th, leaders from across Rutherford County and the State of North Carolina gathered for a socially-distanced celebration of phase one of a new streetscape redevelopment project for downtown Spindale.
As part of this project, Downtown Spindale, which is positioned immediately opposite the popular Thermal Belt Rail Trail, will receive several new features such as widened sidewalks, street trees and lighting, and new crosswalks linking Main Street to the Rail Trail. The improved streetscape will offer trail users and downtown visitors unparalleled access to the idyllic small-town experience of strolling, shopping, and dining in a historic downtown.
Government, business, and community leaders, along with project planners, are commemorating the beginning of this streetscape master plan that will help preserve the historic integrity and legacy of Spindale while strengthening its economic future.
The project in many ways represents an ideal prototype for revitalizing rural Main Streets by increasing walkability, enhancing connectivity of green spaces to historic districts, and incorporating industrial-era assets into public spaces for commerce and recreation.
The forward-thinking design for spaces in the center of town will link both east and west sections of downtown and will include repurposing the historic Spindale depot building, across from the main street, into a brewery or retail space.
Downtown Spindale and the vicinity around the historic Spindale House was once known as the gathering place for all of Rutherford County. The town of Spindale was established around the local textile industry, but since the town’s last mill closure in 1999 the beloved downtown has faced the ongoing challenge of re-establishing itself. Through this innovative approach to rural economic development, the Town hopes to once again reclaim its place as a main street destination in Rutherford County and a center of recreation and commerce for the community.
The Phase 1 Streetscape project, which extends from Nebraska Street to Revely Street, is under construction and will be complete by the first quarter of 2021. This area represents approximately 15 percent of the total streetscape project.
Multiple phases will be required to complete the entire streetscape master plan, and fundraising and grantmaking efforts continue as the town and community stakeholders work to further realize downtown revitalization efforts.
The Town of Spindale, NC joined together to create a video submission for HGTV's Home Town Takeover series in February of 2020. Although this town was not selected, we are super proud of this community.
