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County receives go ahead to borrow $3.7 million

By Lisa Majors-Duff

County officials were informed Tuesday that their application to borrow $3.7 million for capital improvements has been approved.

Commissioners filed the application with the Local Government Commission in Raleigh after removing plans for the expansion of the public library. Instead, commissioners requested that $1 million be used on improvements at Smoky Mountain High School.

Library expansion plans were halted after board members rejected three alternatives for gaining about 8,000 extra square feet, including building a second floor and using the library's parking area. A third option of using the adjacent Hooper House property was declined by board members who chose to restore the 1905 building by transferring it to the Hooper House Preservation Foundation.

The $1 million allocated for the library will be used for safety improvements at the high school, including fire exits, ADA requirements and energy conservation measures. Though a needs assessment for the high school has not been completed, commissioners and school board members are in agreement that these improvements constitute priority issues, said county finance officer Darlene Fox.

Also included in the LGC loan application are funds to alleviate crowding at the Community Service Center, a multi-use facility at the Cullowhee Recreation Center and improvements at Blue Ridge School.

Commissioners also gave their approval to plans for Heritage Hills Mature Life Development Center, which is envisioned by those associated with it to be "a mature life community of grace, beauty and love." The center would locate all agencies dealing with older adults in one place, including the Department on Aging, Golden Age Senior Center, Jackson County Senior Games, AARP and others. It would also include recreation and living space for older adults.

"Older adults constitute one of the fastest growing population groups in Jackson County," said Department on Aging Director Helen Bryson. "Heritage Hills is being designed as a 10- to 20-year plan to address seniors' needs."

Heritage Hills organizers have developed proposed site plans that call for about 100 acres of real estate. Management costs have been estimated to be about $173,000 a year.

"Anything a senior might need could be located at this site," said Bryson. Those choosing to live at Heritage Hills could purchase homes similar to a condominium situation, she said.

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