12/23/04

How Holly Springs Will Change in 2005

Calendar year 2004 brought the commencement of a number of much anticipated local projects – the beginning of construction on the Holly Springs high school and on upgrades to two major intersections, and construction on a new shopping center at the intersection of Holly Springs and Sunset Lake roads, to name a few. The year also brought the completion of a number of local projects – the completion of a new 1.5 million gallon-per-day water tank and a new Holly Springs Public Safety station, among others.

What changes can residents expect to see in 2005?

Construction to begin on a Wake County branch library and a Town cultural center: Slated to begin in summer, construction on this $3.7-million county and Town project will last through the year. To be located off Ballentine St. in downtown Holly Springs , the library and cultural center will share a lobby. Both are to open in the fall of 2006.

Shopping center at Holly Springs and Sunset Lake roads to open: The shopping center at Holly Springs and Sunset Lake roads, to be anchored by Harris Teeter, is expected to open in the fall.

Major intersection upgrades to be completed: The work that began on the Holly Springs Rd./Main St. and Holly Springs Rd./Sunset Lake Rd. intersections in 2004 will be completed in the spring. Improvements to these intersections include road widenings, new traffic signals, and curbs and gutters.

New fire station construction to begin: Construction on a fire station on Holly Springs Rd. across from Holly Ridge Elementary will begin in spring. The new station will replace the one on Main St. and will provide more equal fire protection.

Other 2005 Town projects that are not so visible include:

Builders to receive new online services: A new wireless system called the mobile highway will be set up to allow builders to schedule inspections and view inspection results online through instant text messaging. The system will streamline the building inspections process, creating a time savings to both Town employees and builders.

Wireless hot spots to open around Town: Residents will be able to surf the Internet at Town centers of commerce, such as shopping centers.

Design to be finalized on wastewater treatment plant expansion: Ongoing design of an expansion to the Town wastewater treatment plant that will provide for the Town for another decade will be completed in the summer. The Town will then begin the permitting process for the expansion.

Town Comprehensive Plan updates: The Town of Holly Springs Planning & Zoning Department is leading an update to the Town Comprehensive Plan, which charts future development patterns, utility expansion, transportation arteries, greenways, parks and more.

Town of Holly Springs - PO Box 8 - 128 South Main Street - Holly Springs, NC 27540 - (919) 552-6221 - Holly.Springs@hollyspringsnc.us