Sanford Wins Top Honors for National Night Out

Sanford's National Night Out program has been named second in the nation for our population category and best in the state across categories by the National Association of Town Watch.

This year’s ranking is Sanford’s highest yet and continues Sanford’s streak as the best NNO program in North Carolina. “I am so pleased with this ranking and recognition,” says Mayor Chet Mann. “Our placement acknowledges the job well done by so many of our citizens and staff who work so hard and really enjoy putting on this event.”

Sanford’s program placed third in 2014 and fourth in 2013. The program’s upward trajectory showcases Sanford’s community spirit, says Mann. “Sanford shines during National Night Out because we are a loving, caring community of people who like to live, work, and play together – and who look out for one another,” he notes.

The 2015 campaign included tours of Sanford’s police and fire departments, along with a summer safety day with the Lee County Partnership for Children and a self-defense day with Black Belt Leadership Academy. NNO coordinators also collected nonperishable food items and school supplies for the Christians United Outreach Center.

Planning is already underway for the 2016 campaign. “Our goal is to create more partnerships and explore more opportunities for our first responders, public officials, and community to connect and enjoy each other,” says Kelly Miller, public information officer and National Night Out program manager for the City of Sanford.

The Sanford Police Department hopes that Sanford’s high ranking will lead more neighborhoods to start a Community Watch program. “Officers in the Community Police Unit are available to attend Watch meetings any time, though we need at least two weeks’ notice to prepare our schedule,” says Capt. Tony Hancox, who heads the unit. “We want the community-police partnership to remain strong throughout the year – not just the first Tuesday in August,” he says.

For more information or to get involved in National Night Out, contact Miller at 919-777-1133 or kelly.miller@sanfordnc.net. For more information about Community Watch, contact Hancox at 919-777-1051.

New Route for Sanford Christmas Parade

Sanford City Council approved a resolution at its November 17 meeting that amends the traditional route of the Sanford Christmas Parade for 2015.

The parade will be on Monday, December 7 starting at 7:00 p.m. in downtown Sanford. Subscribers to The Sanford Herald can read an article about parade changes here.

Route for 2015

Due to the City of Sanford’s ongoing Streetscape & Pedestrian Improvement Bonds project – which includes construction at the intersections of Wicker, Steele, and Carthage streets – City staff and the Central Carolina Jaycees have changed the 2015 route as follows:

• The parade will begin at the corner of Wicker and Carthage streets and travel east to Horner Blvd.
• The parade will then turn left onto Horner Blvd and travel north one block to Carthage Street.
• The parade will turn left onto Carthage Street and travel west back to Wicker Street.

Click to view a larger map.

Note: The amended route is only for 2015. 

“This is the right decision for where we stand with construction in downtown Sanford,” says Jennifer St. Clair, executive director of Downtown Sanford, Inc. “I’m certain the Central Carolina Jaycees are putting together another stellar event for our community and I applaud their commitment to the safety of all those involved.”

“The Central Carolina Jaycees are excited about the changes coming to downtown and know that next year’s parade will benefit from this year’s hurdles,” says Jaycees' parade co-coordinator Gina Guerrero. “Though the route will be different, we expect the parade to be as joyous and entertaining as it has been for more than 50 years.”

“The Sanford Christmas Parade is a well-loved and highly attended institution in Sanford and we know Sanford will come out to support it,” notes Jaycees' parade co-coordinator Amy Davis.

Street Closures

Staging for parade entries will be along Wicker Street as usual. The following streets will begin closing at 6:00 p.m. where they intersect with Wicker and Carthage streets: Arbor Lane, Tryon Street, King Street, Park Avenue, Circle Avenue, Diffie Street, Hillcrest Drive, Pershing Street, S. Vance Street, and S. Gulf Street.

Detours and barricades will be set up at 6:00 p.m. along the staging route. Traffic will be limited to parade participants and residents of the area. Those locations are along Wicker Street at Legion Road and the U.S. Hwy 1 off ramps.

Traffic on Horner Blvd will not be interrupted until 6:30 p.m.

Contact

The parade committee is still accepting entries, Davis says. The deadline to enter is November 24. For more information or to enter the parade, visit the Central Carolina Jaycees’ website or call 919-353-2108.

Roundabout Lighting Scheduled for Early December

The City of Sanford has contracted Duke Energy Progress to install 24 LED light poles along Hawkins Avenue to better illuminate Sanford’s new roundabouts.

Lights will be positioned both along the roadway and outside of the traffic circles, which were added by the North Carolina Department of Transportation earlier this year. No lights will be located inside the traffic circles.

Note: Click on the thumbnails above to view a larger photo of each roundabout.

Though NCDOT had no plans to install lighting, the City of Sanford recognized that the area needed more illumination. The City contracted Duke Energy to add the 24 poles in early November; however, inclement weather pushed the work to December.

Duke Energy anticipates that lights will be in place by the second week of December – barring unforeseen complications, such as inclement weather. Most importantly, lighting the roundabouts is in the works and will happen as soon as possible.

Despite the roundabouts being a state project, the City of Sanford has also added astroturf, bricks, colored concrete, and 48 redbud trees to beautify the area, which serves as an important entryway into Sanford.

For more information about the roundabouts or lighting, contact the Public Works department at 919-777-1122.

Traffic Flow Changes Coming to Downtown Sanford

Pedestrians and drivers will soon find a new traffic flow in downtown Sanford. Beginning Monday, November 16, the intersection of Wicker Street and Steele Street will become a 4-way stop.

Rendering of the intersection of Steele Street and Wicker Street
after the streetscape project is finished.

For the first week, the existing signals will flash red in all directions to help the public adjust to the change. Fred Smith Company will place barrels and stop signs at the intersection, though the signs will be bagged until the signals are removed.

On Sunday, November 22, the signals will be removed and the bagged stop signs will be uncovered. Once that takes place, Fred Smith Company will be able to focus on finishing the street corners at that intersection. The barrels will remain in place until work is complete.

For more information about the change in traffic flow or the streetscape project, contact the City's Public Works department at 919-777-1122.

City Opens 2015 GovDeals.com Auction

Need a new vehicle? How about office equipment, radios, or a backhoe? The City of Sanford has you covered.

Starting today, the City has nearly 30 items available for auction on GovDeals.com, a site that allows government agencies to sell surplus items to the public. Items range from big ticket (a freightliner) to next-to-nothing (a $10 lot).

Auction end dates vary, but the last item will end on November 30, 2015.

See What We're Selling

You can get item photos and descriptions, as well as place your bid, by going to GovDeals.com and entering "Sanford" in the search box.

Quick link: To go directly to the City of Sanford's listings, click here.

Get Registered

Anyone can bid on auction hosted at GovDeals. But before you can place a bid, you'll need to register to use the service. You'll have to enter a phone number where the site can call or text you to validate your registration.

After the validation, you'll receive an email from GovDeals' customer service department. Click the link in the email and then enter the username and password you set up during registration.

From start to finish, the registration process lasts no longer than five minutes.

Start Bidding

Once you've registered, run your search for "Sanford." When you click on any of the items, you'll see a bidding form on the left of the description screen. Enter your bid and you're officially part of the auction.

Make sure you read the terms and conditions for all items before you place your bid. Everything you need to know is right on the description screen.

Payment & Pick Up

If you place the winning bid, GovDeals will issue you a buyer's certificate and you'll have five business days to make your payment. For items less than $5,000, you can pay by credit card or Paypal. You may pay by wire transfer for items that cost more than $5,000.

Note that a 5% buyer's premium is added to the final selling price of each item, in addition to any taxes imposed.

Once you make your payment, you can schedule a time to pick up your item(s). You must remove the item from City property within 10 days of the date on your certificate.

Questions?

For more information about our items or to arrange an inspection of what's for sale, contact Randy Paschal at 919-777-1250 or send an email to randy.paschal@sanfordnc.net.

Public Strategy Session / Sesión Pública de Estrategia

--En español abajo.--

Help the Sanford Building Integrated Communities (BIC) committee create an action plan for immigrant integration in Sanford.

Earlier this year, Sanford BIC asked residents to identify the major issues affecting local immigrants in Sanford and Lee County. Now, they are holding a public strategy session on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6:00 p.m. for residents to share their suggestions and solutions for improving three of these issues:

• Immigrant and police relationships,
• Public transportation, and
• Communications with Hispanic/Latino community.

Childcare and drinks will be provided. The meeting will be held in both English and Spanish; all Lee County residents welcome.

You do not need to register for this meeting. Please call Jessicalee with any questions at (919) 962-2414. (Habla español.)

RSVP for this event here. Download a flyer in English or Spanish here.

********************

¡Ayúdenos a crear un plan de  acción para la integración de los inmigrantes de Sanford!

Este año, “BIC en Sanford” pidió a residentes que identificaran los mayores asuntos afectando a los inmigrantes locales en Sanford y el Condado de Lee. Ahora, ofrecemos una sesión pública de estrategia para que los residentes pueden compartir sus sugerencias y soluciones para mejorar estos 3 asuntos:

• Relaciones entra la policia inmigrantes
• Transporte publico
• Comunicaciones con la comunidad hispana/latina

Esta reunión será en ambos inglés y español; todos los residentes del Condado de Lee bienvenidos. Se proveerán cuidado de niños y bebidas. No se requiere registro para esta reunión. Por favor llame a Jessicalee con cualquieras preguntas: 919-962-2414. (Habla español.)

City Council Meeting Schedule

Sanford City Council has adjusted its schedule for the next two months.

Mark your calendars with these dates:

• Cancelled: November 3 — City Council meeting
• Cancelled: November 10 — Law and Finance meeting
• November 17 — City Council meeting
• No meetings the week of Thanksgiving
• December 1 — Oath of Office Ceremony

All meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. To add an agenda item for any of the above meetings, contact City Clerk Bonnie Davis at 919-777-1111 or via email.

Note: City Hall will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day and on Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27 in celebration of Thanksgiving.

Depot Acquisition Marks New Era for Sanford

More than 100 years after it first opened and 14 years after the land around it became a park, the City of Sanford acquired the historic Sanford Depot on August 19.

A landmark in Sanford, the Depot was built in 1910 to service passengers of three rail companies. To save the building from destruction, the Sanford Area Association of Realtors (SAAR) purchased and upfitted it in the early 1990s to use as office space.

Just as Depot Park has become an economic engine for downtown Sanford, officials expect the building to increase Sanford’s sense of place and continue to be a touchstone for the community.

The purchase dovetails with Mayor Chet Mann’s “Open for Business” vision to establish Sanford as a destination. Mann’s ultimate goal is to turn the building into a future visitors’ center and be the focal point of a newly revitalized downtown. He even has hopes of returning Sanford to a stop on Amtrak’s route.

“With this acquisition, we have preserved our railroad history for Sanford and have secured the use of this historic building for future generations,” Mann explains. “As we invest millions in our downtowns, not having the Depot as one of our focal points would have left this project incomplete.”

Putting this historic building into the public’s hands “signifies the partnership between the Sanford Area Association of Realtors and the City of Sanford in the downtown Sanford revitalization project,” says Crystal Copas, board president. “SAAR is excited to work with the mayor and Sanford City Council to make Sanford a destination for people to bring their families and businesses.”

The City’s investment in the Depot is “one more step in our community’s face lift of downtown Sanford,” says Bob Joyce, executive director of the Sanford Area Growth Alliance.

“The Railroad House Historical Association, Inc. looks forward to continuing its partnership with the City to enhance Sanford by showcasing the history and charm of the Depot,” says Oliver Crawley, the association’s president.

“I could not be more grateful to the Sanford Area Association of Realtors for sharing in our vision for a revitalized City and joining us in our effort to bring new life to Sanford and foster a new era of growth and prosperity for all of our citizens,” Mann says. “I am also especially thankful to the City Council, City of Sanford staff, the Sanford Area Growth Alliance, and all the private citizens who have been so supportive of this effort.”

“The Board of Realtors had a vision when they saved the building more than 30 years ago, and they deserve credit for that vision,” Joyce points out. “Sanford City Council should also be congratulated on their push to close the deal and make this long-sought addition to the public space at Depot Park.”

“Great things are happening again in Sanford and this purchase of the Depot is indicative of the great forward momentum we have right now,” Mann says.

To mark this significant partnership, there will be a celebration at the Depot building in the coming weeks. For more information, contact public information officer Kelly Miller at 919-777-1133.

###

Building Integrated Communities, Year 2: Identify Key Issues, Develop Strategies

After a year of information gathering and public meetings, the Building Integrated Communities (BIC) project is ready to identify key issues affecting residents of Hispanic origin in Sanford and Lee County.

A collaborative program of the Institute for the Study of the Americas and the Center for Global Initiatives at UNC-Chapel Hill, BIC is a grant-based initiative that helps local governments successfully engage with immigrant and refugee populations.

To assess Sanford’s needs, the BIC committee surveyed local immigrants and U.S.-born children, conducted three public meetings, and worked with local agencies and nonprofit organizations. “There was tremendous participation in this process,” says Hannah Gill, program director. “Sanford had the highest response rate of any municipality, city, or county that we work with in the state,” she notes.

Results of Year 1

The BIC team is currently drafting an assessment report and executive summary that will be publicly available in both English and Spanish. The report is a compilation of all the research, data, and communications collected over the past year.

The report will also offer a community profile. That profile will share crucial demographic information – such as that 22.4 percent of Sanford residents are of Hispanic origin and 19.2 percent of Lee County residents are of Hispanic origin. “This information is key to understanding the specific needs of the Sanford/Lee County community,” Gill says.

Speaking to Sanford City Council at the August 12, 2015 meeting, Rev. Erika Martinez-Flores, director of Jonesboro United Methodist Church’s El Refugio, thanked Council members for recognizing immigrants as part of the community.

BIC’s outreach “shows that immigrants are a vulnerable population in this society, but that we are also a group that has grown deep roots and we are productive workers with great aspirations for a much higher quality of life than we could hope for in our native countries,” Martinez-Flores expressed.

Addressing the immigrant population’s needs is “a great, great task, but [Sanford City Council] has already taken the first step by listening to us,” Martinez-Flores said.

“The areas I’ve learned are lacking the most are communication and representation,” expressed BIC committee member Santiago Giraldo. “That is clearly visible in every area of essential services – medical, security, and infrastructure,” he said.

“The city has put a lot of money into infrastructure but now is the time to focus on the people,” Giraldo said. “We are proud to be here. We want to be part of your community. We’re just asking for a chance. Now is the time to bring us out of the shadows and allow us to be part of the community.”

Next Steps

In years two and three of this multi-year initiative, the BIC team will evaluate the data they’ve collected to establish and refine priority issues, says Jessicalee White, BIC researcher and  program coordinator. "We’ll work with municipal and county staff, local agencies, and the public to develop strategies to address those issues."

The team will then create an action plan, implement that plan, and then evaluate and document the strategies’ impact on local immigrants.

Resources

For more information about Building Integrated Communities, visit the Latino Migration Project’s website or contact Sanford/Lee County Planning Director Marshall Downey at 919-777-1114.

Watch the BIC presentation to Sanford City Council here.

Sanford Celebrates National Night Out

More than 30 neighborhoods in Sanford came together to celebrate the annual National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, August 4.

Here are a few photos from the night. Coordinators and municipal staff are still gathering all photos and videos from the night and will publish more soon.

To submit a photo or video from National Night Out in Sanford, email Kelly Miller.

Sanford's National Night Out Sites for 2015

Looking for a National Night Out event to attend? Here is our list of registered sites, along with the planned activities at each event.

You can see the sites on a map here:

Registration Is Open for the Sanford Citizens' Academy

Update: The summer session is now full. However, you may still contact Kelly Miller to have your name added to a waiting list for this and upcoming sessions.

The City of Sanford is now registering for the second Sanford Citizens' Academy, an 11-week interactive program designed to give you an inside look at your city government.

When: Mondays from July 20 through October 5, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Graduation will be on Tuesday, October 20.

Where: Municipal buildings and grounds.

Cost: Completely free!

We’ll  tour the Water Treatment Plant, Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sanford Municipal Golf Course, municipal parks, and more. A light dinner will be served at the beginning of each session.

The deadline to apply is July 15 and space is limited to 10 participants. Download the application form here.

For more information, contact Kelly Miller at 919-777-1133.

*Note the Academy will not meet on Monday, September 7.

Four NNO Events Planned For Summer 2015

The City of Sanford hosted nearly 50 community members on Thursday for the National Night Out kickoff meeting.

NNO will be held in neighborhoods across Sanford on Tuesday, August 4. (Register here.) At these events, neighbors will hold community watch meetings, pot luck dinners, block parties, or otherwise gather together to show their community spirit.

Registration will close on Friday, July 24 to allow time to package and deliver NNO materials.

But first: To help spread the word about NNO, the City will hold four pre-cursor events this year. They are:

• Community Tour of the Sanford Police Department (June 18)
• Personal Self Defense in Depot Park (June 27)
• Play It Safe Family Safety Day at Sanford 2nd Sunday (July 12) 
• Community Tour of Central Fire Station (July 17)

For more information about any of these events, visit our Facebook Events page. To register your neighborhood for NNO, contact Kelly Miller at 919-777-1133.

Sanford Police Officers To Run With Special Olympics Torch

Members of the Sanford Police Department will participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics tomorrow.

Details: Officers will run with the Special Olympics torch and the United States flag for 23 miles, beginning at the welcome sign at the Lee County-Moore County line. Runners will travel north on Hwy U.S. 1 to the Lee County-Chatham County line. The run will begin at 8:00 a.m.

Important: For the safety of all involved, the public is not allowed to participate in the run. A police unit will ride in front of runners and the department’s mobile unit will follow behind them.

For questions about the run, contact the Sanford Police Department at 919-775-8268. For more information about the Special Olympics in Lee County, contact Bill Shuey at 919-775-2107 or bshuey@leecountync.gov.

Updates

• See photos and a brief description of the start of the race here.
• See photos of the end of the race here.

Streetscape Bond Project To Start Friday

The first stage of the City of Sanford’s $9 million streetscape and pedestrian improvement bond project is scheduled to begin in downtown Sanford and historic Jonesboro on Monday, May 4.

[Note: A previous version of this post stated Friday, May 1 as the start date. However, the start was pushed back by the contractors after this information was released to media and the public.]

During construction, contractor Fred Smith Company will remove the existing sidewalks, install conduits, and move water meters. New concrete sidewalk, brick pavers, and granite curb will then be installed, giving streets the same look and feel as Chatham Street. Once crews are finished with the area, Duke Energy Progress will install new street lights.

Schedule of Work

The following portions of street will be affected beginning Friday:

Downtown Sanford

• south side of Carthage Street between Horner Boulevard and Steele Street,
• north side of Wicker Street between Horner Boulevard and Steele Street, and
• south side of McIver Street between Chatham Street and Big Buffalo Creek.

Historic Jonesboro

• north side of Main Street between Dalrymple Street and Horner Boulevard, and
• south side of Trade Street between Main Street and Fayetteville Street.

Each stage of construction is expected to last five to six weeks. Remaining streets in both downtowns will be addressed during subsequent stages of the streetscape project. Updates on street work will be published here.

Any Closures?

Parking and sidewalks will be closed along affected areas. Crews will install temporary paths to storefronts so that all businesses will be accessible during the construction. Streets may close when the contractor is working in intersections.

After all sidewalk work in both Sanford and Jonesboro is complete, crews will switch businesses from the overhead utilities to the new underground ones. They will also add street furniture and landscaping.

More Information

Voters approved the streetscape project in Sanford’s 2013 municipal bond referendum. They also approved $2 million in Sidewalk Improvement bonds, $4 million in Greenway and Trails bonds, and $2 million in Parks and Recreational bonds.

The City issued sidewalk bonds with streetscape bonds earlier this year. The other bonds will be issued in subsequent phases of the revitalization.

Questions about the streetscape project should be directed to David Montgomery at 919-777-1400 or david.montgomery@sanfordnc.net.

Hawkins Avenue Roundabout Project Starts April 27

NCDOT will be constructing two roundabouts on US-15/501/Hawkins Avenue (US-1 Business)
at the US-1 interchange (EXIT 71) in the city of Sanford, Lee County.

Beginning on or about April 27th, US-15/501/Hawkins Avenue (US-1 Business) will be closed to
through traffic under the US-1 overpass bridge. 

-- View a rendering of the project here. --

This section of US-15/501/Hawkins Avenue (US-1 Business) will be closed for 60 days to construct
the two roundabouts.

During the 60-day road closure, the US-1 northbound off ramp to US-15/501/Hawkins Avenue (US-1 Business) will be closed. Charleston Drive (SR-1445) will also remain closed for 60-day duration.

Construction during the final seven days of the 60-day road closure will require the US-1 southbound off ramp and the US-1 northbound on ramp to be closed at the US-1 and US-15/501/Hawkins Avenue (US-1 Business) interchange (EXIT 71).

The US-1 southbound ramp from US-15/501/Hawkins Avenue (US-1 Business) will remain open during all phases of construction. Beechtree Drive (SR-1444) and Amos Bridges Road (SR-1420) will also remain open during construction.

Traveling south on US-15/501/Hawkins Avenue (US-1 Business) exit onto the US-1 southbound on ramp prior to the US-1 overpass bridge, continue on US-1 south to EXIT 69B Burns Drive (SR-1406), take right onto Burns Drive (SR-1406) back to US-15/501/Hawkins Avenue (US-1 Business). The detour route will be signed.

Traveling north on US-15/501/Hawkins Avenue (US-1 Business), exit onto the US-1 northbound on ramp prior to the US-1 overpass bridge, continue on US-1 north to EXIT 74 Colon Road (SR-1415), take left onto Colon Road (SR-1415), exit onto the US-1 southbound on ramp, continue on US-1 south back to US-15/501/Hawkins Avenue (US-1 Business) (EXIT 71). The detour route will be signed.

During the final seven days of the 60-day road closure on US-15/501/Hawkins Avenue (US-1 Business) under the US-1 overpass bridge, the US-1 northbound on ramp from US-15/501/Hawkins Avenue (US-1 Business) will be closed.

Traveling north on US-15/501/Hawkins Avenue (US-1 Business), turn left onto Burns Drive (SR-1406), exit onto the US-1 northbound on ramp, continue on US-1 north to EXIT 74 Colon Road
(SR-1415), take left onto Colon Road (SR-1415), turn left onto Deep River Road (SR-1466) back to US-15/501/Hawkins Avenue (US-1 Business).

The detour route will be signed. US-1 traffic wanting to access the US-15/501/Hawkins Avenue (US-1 Business) interchange (EXIT 71) will take EXIT 74 Colon Road (SR-1415) to Deep River Road (SR-1466) and EXIT 69B Burns Drive (SR-1406).

Follow message boards and signs for specific detour routes during the final seven days of road closure on US-15/501/Hawkins Avenue (US-1 Business).

The NCDOT contact person for this project is the Resident Engineer, Gary Phillips. His telephone number is 919-776-9623.

It's Time To Race To Read

The Sanford/Lee County Youth Council invites runners and walkers to join the Race to Read, an annual 5K fun run/walk on Saturday, May 9.

This is the race's third year. As with last year, proceeds from the race will be used to purchase and donate reading materials to Lee County elementary schools.

When & Where

On race day, runners and walkers will assemble by the shelter at Kiwanis Family Park (1800 Wicker Street) in Sanford. Registration will begin at 8am and the race will begin at 9am.

Who Can Participate?

The run/walk is open to the whole family. Awards will be given to the top three overall male and female participant, as well as the top three male and female participants in each age category.

View the age categories here.

Get Registered

Registration costs $25 in advance if you register before April 22. After April 22, registration is $30. You  will also be guaranteed a shirt if you register by April 22. T-shirts may not be available for those who register on the day of the race.

You can pre-register here or mail in your registration (download a form here).

Questions?

Get more information about the Youth Council on our website or visit a Youth Council meeting. They are held on the second Monday of each month at 4pm in the West End Conference Room at the Sanford Municipal Center.

For questions or more information about the race, contact Karen Kennedy at 919-777-1113 or karen.kennedy@sanfordnc.net or Lesa Price at 919-718-4605 x 5505.

Sec. Kluttz To Tour Downtown Sanford

Sec. Susan Kluttz of the NC Department of Cultural Resources will be in Sanford on Tuesday, March 17 at 2:00 p.m. to show support for the possible return of historic preservation tax credits, which were not renewed by the General Assembly in January.

During the visit, Sec. Kluttz will tour local historic buildings that have benefited from historic preservation tax credits, including the Buggy Factory and Lee Furniture Building. Her goal is to show the opportunities for future investment if the tax credits are restored.

Historic preservation tax credits are being used currently to renovate the Buggy Factory, a project that was approved before the program ended.

Once complete, the renovated building will house the Sanford Area Growth Alliance and the Sanford/Lee County Planning and Development Department, creating a one-stop-shop for development and revitalization in Lee County.

The public is welcome to attend the tour. Following, there will be a gallery display of historic preservation tax credit projects and a short reception on the top floor of the Lee Furniture Building.

For more information, contact Kelly Miller, public information officer for the City of Sanford, at 919-777-1133 or kelly.miller@sanfordnc.net.

WHO: NC Sec. of Cultural Resources Susan Kluttz, Mayor Chet Mann, NC Board of Realtors, and government and community leaders

WHAT: Tour of historic downtown Sanford

WHEN: Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Historic Buggy Factory, 115 Chatham Street, Sanford

2015 Sanford Block Party

Help clean up and beautify the section of North Steele Street from First Baptist Church to the Lee County Arts and Community Center.

This year's Sanford Block Party will be coordinated by the City's Housing Task Force with the help of lead sponsor First Presbyterian Church.

View this map to get better acquainted with the area.

• • • WHO CAN HELP • • •

Anyone is welcome to come volunteer, whether as an individual or with a group. Click here to RSVP or share the event with your friends on Facebook.

• • • HOW TO HELP • • •

Homes along this stretch need basic repairs and landscaping, such as painting, mowing, raking, and landscaping.

We ask that volunteers bring their own tools if they can, including rakes, shovels, painting tools, lawn mowers, weed eaters, gloves, etc.

• • • DONATIONS NEEDED • • •

This project requires repair and landscaping tools and materials, as well as food, beverages, and entertainment for those who volunteer.

Each year, the community and local businesses step up to help out.

Contact Karen Kennedy at 919-777-1113 or karen.kennedy@sanfordnc.net if you would like to make a donation.

• • • MORE INFORMATION • • •

For general questions or more information, contact Karen Kennedy at 919-777-1113 or karen.kennedy@sanfordnc.net.

Annual Water Treatment Process Change During March

Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua potable. Tradúzcalo o hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.

The City of Sanford normally uses a combination of ammonia and chlorine to disinfect its drinking water. However, the N.C. Department of Environment & Natural Resources requires us to stop using ammonia for 30 days to help maintain our high quality of water.

This notice is to let you know we will stop adding ammonia to your water on Sunday, March 1, 2015 and resume adding ammonia to the disinfection process on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. Additionally, we will flush the water mains throughout our system during this time to remove sediment in the water lines and refresh the entire distribution system.

During the changes in our disinfection process and flushing of the system, you may notice a chlorine odor and/or discoloration to your water. Your water, however, will still be safe for drinking, bathing, and other daily uses. While there are no associated health risks with the odor or discoloration, you may want to limit certain activities (such as washing clothes) during this time.

If you notice discoloration at the tap, allowing the water to run for 5 to 10 minutes should clear up the problem. Also, if you have aquatic pets, you may want to consult your local pet store to ask how this may affect your pet’s habitat.

Customers with concerns or questions should contact the water treatment facility at (919) 777-1803. Additional information about the City’s highly regulated water treatment process is available on the City’s website.

Duke Power Plans Tree Trimming For February

Duke Energy Progress will be in Sanford next month to trim trees around power lines in downtown Sanford and surrounding commercial and residential areas.

The trimming will begin February 2 if weather permits. Targeted areas include:

• Downtown Sanford business and historic districts;
• W.B. Wicker Business Campus area; and
• Hawkins Avenue.

[View a map of areas to be trimmed.]

Duke will be responsible for removing all downed limbs and other debris from the trimming process.

For more information about the trimming or to report issues, contact the City of Sanford’s Public Works Service Center at 919-775-8247.

City Bonds 'Well Received' By Market

The City of Sanford has sold $8.5 million in general obligation bonds to fund the streetscape and sidewalk projects voters approved in Sanford's 2013 bond referendum.

In January, the City received an Aa3 credit rating from Moody’s Investors Service and an AA- credit rating from Fitch Ratings based on its strong fiscal policies, conservative budgeting, and sound financial management.

Out of nine competitive bids received, Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s low true interest cost of 2.3501% was the most favorable.

“The net interest rate the City received for the entire issue was 94 points under the national Bond Buyer’s Index,” notes Gordon Johnson with the Local Government Commission. “The City had a great sale and was well received in the national bond market industry,” he says.

The bond transaction will close in early February and the City plans to begin construction of the projects in March. The general obligation bonds will mature on February 1, 2034. They will be paid using ad valorem tax revenues.

The bond issuance means investment opportunities for the public. Anyone interested in purchasing City of Sanford bonds should contact their investment broker. Purchasing will begin after the transaction closes.

In addition to the streetscape and sidewalk projects, voters also approved $4 million in Greenway and Trails bonds and $2 million in Parks and Recreational bonds. The City plans to issue those bonds in subsequent phases of the revitalization.

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Need Emergency Services? You Can Text 9-1-1

Users of all major wireless carriers can reach Sanford’s 9-1-1 Telecommunications Center via text message.

Called Text-to-9-1-1, the service allows users to initiate a text conversation with a 9-1-1 call taker. The first message should be brief and include both the location of the emergency and the type of help needed. The call taker will respond with additional questions.

“We are excited to offer residents another way to reach our 9-1-1 call center and get the help they need,” states Pat Garner, Communications Supervisor for the 9-1-1 Telecommunications Center. “A voice call is the most ideal way to reach 9-1-1, but sometimes that’s not feasible,” he explains.

Important: Anyone who needs to use Text-to-9-1-1 should make sure to use simple words, avoid abbreviations, and keep messages concise. Keep in mind that text location information is not equal to location technology, a text or data plan is required, and messages could take longer to receive.

For more information on the Text-to-9-1-1 program and how to send text messages to the 9-1-1 Telecommunications Center, visit our website or contact Pat Garner at 919-777-1042 or via email.