Hello West Asheville business owners and community members,
I wanted to provide an important update on the Haywood Road resurfacing project. As many of you may have heard, last week we held the bid opening for the project, but unfortunately, we did not receive any bids. This was quite surprising, especially since our website had shown considerable interest from several contractors before the storm.
Current Assumptions
Based on my observations, it seems that the lack of bids could be due to the high volume of work stemming from Tropical Storm Helene’s damage and ongoing emergency repairs. Contractors are currently inundated with work, and there may be uncertainties regarding the availability of materials and labor in the near future.
Next Steps
We are currently deliberating on how to move forward with the project. There are two primary options:
- Re-let the contract soon to see if we can attract bids.
- Wait and observe how the construction market adapts to the increased workload before proceeding.
Community Impact
Last Friday, I spent some time on Haywood Road and met with several business owners who had expressed concerns about how the project might affect access to their establishments. Rest assured, the contract specifies night work for lane closures and prohibits lane closures on holidays to minimize disruption during typical business hours.
Stay Informed
We will keep you updated on any decisions or thoughts regarding the project’s next steps. Your feedback is invaluable, so please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and concerns with us.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time. We appreciate your patience as we navigate these challenges to ensure a successful outcome for our beloved Haywood Road.
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