24-04-2025
Sanford aims to implement micro-transit pilot project
A micro-transit pilot project is on the agenda of the Sanford City Council.
During a work session on Tuesday, the council heard about a plan from David Montgomery, senior planner.
Authorization of the pilot project could come before the council on May 6, he said. Some $1 million in funding would come through a NC Department of Transportation grant.
Montgomery said the pilot project would work similar to Uber or Lyft private ride services. The zone that would be served still has yet to be decided, along with hours of operation and prices of fares.
He said Lee County is purchasing three vehicles for the pilot project, which would be operated by the County of Lee Transit System, or COLTS. He noted that three vehicles would run on weekdays and two on weekends.
During discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Akinosho said the goal is to provide services for city residents and promote tourism.
S3 HOUSING CONNECT
Council also heard about 'resetting' the S3 Housing Connect program, which was founded in 2017 to help deal with homelessness.
Tradell Adkins, community development planner, said the focus of S3 is moving from homelessness to housing.
Gabby Murillo and Tamara Brogan said they were involved with the program since its founding after the demolition of the Simmons building at 710 Wall St. dislocated 18 residents.
Murillo, a local realtor, said she wants to get more private entities involved in S3 instead of just nonprofits and government organizations. She noted that a down payment housing assistance program offers $15,000 per home purchase, but only 18 people used it last year.
'They don't know about it,' she said. 'We're working on a marketing initiative.'
'Covid kind of knocked us out of our momentum,' Brogan said.
BLOCK PARTY
At the end of the meeting, Mayor Rebecca Wyhof Salmon reminded attendees about the city's annual Block Party, which is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Volunteers will meet for a free breakfast at 332 North Ave., and then proceed to clean or spruce up a nearby section of the city.
This is the city's 13th block party.
For more information, contact Karen Kennedy at 919-718-4657, ext. 5391, or
DEMOLITION BOND TO BE DEMOLISHED?
Inspections Administrator Patrick Marion spoke of plans to do away with a $500 bond for those who wish to demolish a building.
Marion said the city would continue charging a $90 permit fee for a demolition, but noted that bond isn't needed.
Planning Director Marshall Downey said the city has not had to use such bond funds over the past 20 years. That would only occur if the permit holder didn't demolish the building.
Doing away with the bond, which will be considered by council on May 6, would mean that 100% of the city's permits could be obtained online, Marion said.
Some 80% of the city's permits are currently obtained online with the remainder done in person.
