Herald's history series: Proposal in 1960 called for Sylva's Mill Street as demonstration project

Proposal in 1960 called for Sylva's Mill Street as demonstration project

The WNC Regional Planning Commission will be asked to make Mill Street in Sylva a demonstration project to show other WNC towns what can be done to make a street more attractive through planning.

This development came Tuesday night at a meeting called to consider an immediate and long range planning program for the town, and more particularly Mill Street.

It was revealed at the meeting that John R. Hampton, planning director of the WNC Regional Planning Commission, would work as much as three days in planning a feasible program for the demonstration project provided that:

1. Fifty percent of the property owners on Mill Street agree to cooperate in the program.

2. That the property owners agree to follow the suggestions of the WNCRPC.

A committee was appointed to contact the individual property owners. Named to the committee by Del Reid, president of the Sylva Merchants Association who presided at the meeting, are: J.A. Gray, Chamber of Commerce president; Kent Coward, chairman of the Jaycee Industrial Committee; Jennings A. Bryson, member of the WNCRPC executive board; Jimmy Childress, member of the Chamber of Commerce Industrial Committee; Andy Wilson and Grayson Cope, members of the Town Board of Commissioners; Raymon Stovall, member of the Merchants Association; Mrs. Robert Thutt, Sylva Garden Club president.

Following the general meeting, the committee held a short session at which time it was decided to contact the Mill Street property owners Wednesday (yesterday).

Bryson pointed out that the WNCRPC executive board meets Friday and at that time he would present the program to be considered as a demonstration project; that Hampton would be requested to contact and tell property owners specific requirements expected.

Only two Mill Street property owners were part of the Tuesday night meeting. Both agreed to cooperate in the program "as far as feasible." Several businessmen who lease buildings on Mill Street all voiced the project as being "a very worthwhile program."

At least two of the businesses reported that plans are already under way for making improvements.

There was concern voiced that the WNCRPC suggestions might not be financially feasible. Mrs. Thutt said that "I think Mr. Hampton has a reasonable plan in mind."

She also noted that the program does not have to be completed in a week, or even in a year, but that the property owners would be requested to work toward a goal.

A tape recording of a speech delivered by Hampton before the Sylva Garden Club June 7 was heard by the group Tuesday night.

In the speech, Hampton said the magic element for making a street like Mill Street attractive is people. A step in the right direction is to have store fronts, with entrances and canopies, to invite people to use the street, Hampton said.

Hampton explained in the speech that the services of the WNCRPC are available free to anyone in the area who requests it if it is in the civic interest and the time does not require more than one staff day.

He pointed out four ways to put a planning program into effect: zoning, sub-division control, capital programming, slum clearance. He noted that zoning is for the protection of everyone; and so that people living in or moving to a neighborhood know what is required.

He termed the Mill Street project the "most difficult assignment the Garden Club could possibly find."

He told the Garden Club members the first need is for patience and secondly for cooperation. "You have to convince the people your ideas are theirs and theirs yours," he declared.

There is much that can be done to beautify the buildings, he said, noting that stores in Knoxville, Tenn., have solved the problem by using painting and screen techniques.

"This, of course, costs money," Hampton said. "And financial aid isn't available for such commercial areas. But where there's a will there's a way."

Following the tape recording of Hampton's address and discussion, Kent Coward made a motion to the effect that the group of 34 persons assembled at the meeting go on record as urging the Town Board of Commissioners for Sylva to consider and act upon zoning regulations for the Town of Sylva; that the group go on record that slum clearance should be furthered by the town; that the Jackson County-Sylva Planning Board membership be increased; and that the group support the Garden Club in its efforts to beautify the town.

The motion was seconded by J. Ramsey Buchanan with an amendment that copies of the resolution be presented to the Merchants Association, the Town Board, Chamber of Commerce and The Sylva Herald.

Coward included in the motion that the Town Board should lend its full support, including financial support by the town if necessary.

The only objection voiced to the motion was by Mayor Roscoe Poteet. "I am not in favor of all parts of it," said the mayor. "The Town Board is not in a position to put money into it." He then suggested a committee be appointed to plan.

Mayor Poteet also announced that at a regular meeting of the Town Board Thursday night (tonight) some zoning for Sylva would be considered, along with other matters.

Editor's note: This is the weekly installment of a review of our back issues as The Sylva Herald and Ruralite celebrates its 75th anniversary throughout 2001.

Back to Archive: 07/05/01.