You may have noticed some improvements to downtown sidewalks in 2023. The Town started a pilot project with Precision Safe Sidewalks to determine if their process of precisely cutting away trip hazard imperfections was more effective and less expensive than cutting away and re-pouring entire sidewalk segments. The test area was on Main Street in the business district and N. Main Street in the residential district and included 202 identified hazards.

The Town received overwhelmingly positive resident feedback for addressing trip hazards and only spent $13,799 rather than the $50,916 cost to replace the problem segments. The FY24-25 Budget included a proposal to complete this work for the rest of the Town’s 8.5 miles of sidewalks.

A Precision Safe Sidewalks crew will soon be addressing the remaining 465 sidewalk trip and fall hazards and 234 curb hazards identified. The Town will pay a total of $58,130 for the work which will be $181,871 cheaper than cutting and replacing the problem segments.

The Board of Commissioners also approved funding for new sidewalks to improve connectivity with downtown Mocksville. Public input was sought on four possible segments and the Board directed me to move forward with the sidewalks ranked highest by the community. We will be seeking an engineering firm to design and provide cost estimates for new sidewalks from the Walgreens on Yadkinville Road to the roundabout, on Wilkesboro Street from Meroney Street to the Roundabout, and approximately 40’ on Meroney Street from the roundabout towards the Senior Center.

These projects will help Mocksville meet our strategic goals of enhancing walkability and promoting our downtown businesses, events and organizations. It has the added benefit of providing safe routes to walk, run, or just enjoy a beautiful fall day outside.

Town staff and the Board of Commissioners are continually looking for ways to improve the community through public engagement while being responsible stewards of public funds.

Kenneth Gamble