Development News for Belmont, North Carolina

City Approves Kataba River Water Intake Dredging Project Amidst Funding Concerns

The city council reviewed and approved a capital project for the Kataba River public water intake excavation. This project aims to address sediment buildup in the river that is affecting the water intake, which was exacerbated by Hurricane Helen. The approved project is the excavation and dredging of the river to clear the intake. The city is seeking funding through a $10 million SRF loan with principal forgiveness. The low bidder, Roboat Company, was deemed non-responsive due to issues with their bid bond and other required documentation, leading to the recommendation to award the contract to the next responsible bidder, HG Reynolds Company, for a base bid of $1,215,600, with a 15% contingency, bringing the total to $1,397,940. Concerns were raised about potential shared responsibility with Duke Energy for maintaining waterways and the long-term solution of relocating the intake, estimated at $16.7 million.