Morganton sees busy May with $6M worth of construction activity

May was a busy month for construction in Morganton. Residents and business owners received permits for construction projects worth nearly $6 million.

In the breakdown, projects were valued at $5,960,423. Of the permits approved by the city, 45 were for commercial projects, worth $4,558,270. The other 79 permits were for residential projects, which totaled $1,402,153.

Projects range from continued Hurricane Helene repairs to homes and businesses to new builds altogether. The most costly project was for a renovation at Blue Ridge Community Action’s 800 N. Green St. building. Permits were approved for $1,209,890 worth of renovations, $66,962 of electrical replacements and $125,665 of plumbing work. A sign in front of the facility announces an August reopening date. BRCA was flooded in the hours after Helene swept through the area.

The second most costly project is Western Piedmont Community College’s new emergency training center project. Four permits were approved for construction worth $1,540,474.

Other notable projects include:

• Renovation of Kimbrell’s Furniture’s building at 915 W. Union St. The store plans to move back into its original location after being temporarily located at 111 E. Fleming Drive after Hurricane Helene ruined the original building. A permit for $480,766 worth of renovations was approved with another permit for $8,000 worth of plumbing.
• Morganton Day School’s Armory building will be reroofed for $179,999 along with the installation of a concrete storm drain for $4,100.
• Case Farms’ approved permits include reroofing, adding insulation under roof panels, and siding replacement for $103,000. The company is also adding fire alarms and other devices in the new utility rooms added to the wastewater building for $21,920.
• UNC Health Blue Ridge is having HVAC work done as well as plumbing and installation for a new ultrasonic cleanser for the hospital for $135,933.
• The History Museum of Burke County will demolish and reinstall a kitchen sink in the annex. The project costs $2,500.