Morganton approves $384,652 engineering contract to rebuild Rocky Ford Greenway, authorizes matching budget moves
March 03, 2026 | Morganton, Burke County, North Carolina
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The Morganton City Council on March 2 approved an engineering contract not to exceed $384,652 to Wildlands Engineering to design and rebuild the Rocky Ford Greenway and stabilize the riverbank.
City staff said sections of the greenway suffered heavy hurricane damage and that the contract award follows a request for qualifications that drew 10 proposals and interviews with three firms. "We had 10 companies submit proposals, interviewed 3, and we've selected Wildlands Engineering," a staff member said during the presentation. Staff described the award as a design-and-build approach and said the work may require decisions about whether equipment will work from in the river or from the top of the bank.
The council approved a companion budget amendment to transfer $384,652 in cash-flow loan proceeds into the capital projects fund and to record an anticipated FEMA reimbursement. A council member noted staff intends to use a state cash-flow loan to cover costs up front, then pursue FEMA reimbursement for eligible work. The council voted in favor without recorded opposition.
Staff estimated the project would be bid in late fall, awarded in early 2027 and construction completed by July 2027, but cautioned those timelines are estimates. The presentation also noted limited physical space at the site and the need for further design discussions about streambank access, mitigation and construction means.
The council made the motion to award the contract and to authorize the mayor or city manager to execute the contract and any necessary documents; both the award and the budget amendment passed by voice vote.
What's next: staff will proceed with design and the city will pursue FEMA funding for reimbursement as design and permitting progress.
City staff said sections of the greenway suffered heavy hurricane damage and that the contract award follows a request for qualifications that drew 10 proposals and interviews with three firms. "We had 10 companies submit proposals, interviewed 3, and we've selected Wildlands Engineering," a staff member said during the presentation. Staff described the award as a design-and-build approach and said the work may require decisions about whether equipment will work from in the river or from the top of the bank.
The council approved a companion budget amendment to transfer $384,652 in cash-flow loan proceeds into the capital projects fund and to record an anticipated FEMA reimbursement. A council member noted staff intends to use a state cash-flow loan to cover costs up front, then pursue FEMA reimbursement for eligible work. The council voted in favor without recorded opposition.
Staff estimated the project would be bid in late fall, awarded in early 2027 and construction completed by July 2027, but cautioned those timelines are estimates. The presentation also noted limited physical space at the site and the need for further design discussions about streambank access, mitigation and construction means.
The council made the motion to award the contract and to authorize the mayor or city manager to execute the contract and any necessary documents; both the award and the budget amendment passed by voice vote.
What's next: staff will proceed with design and the city will pursue FEMA funding for reimbursement as design and permitting progress.
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