top of page
Peter O'Leary.jpg

News from Mayor Peter O'Leary

MAYOR PETER O'LEARY'S UPDATE | February 2, 2025

​

Significant activity has increased in Chimney Rock Village since Christmas break.

  • NCDOT continues their work. Dump trucks and heavy equipment are a constant sight as they work to complete the temporary road. NCDOT has planned a public meeting for Wednesday, February 26 at 4:00 pm at the Lake Lure Classical Academy to show plans for the permanent road to Bat Cave and the permanent bridge to Chimney Rock State Park.

  • The Chimney Rock Village Task Force has held several meetings and continues to work on ideas and plans for restoration of the Village. Public surveys, interviews, and public input sessions are all being planned in the next few weeks. Continue to follow our page and website for information on how you can participate.

  • The water and sewer rebuild for Main Street is well under way and the contractor, Ledford and Parker, is making great progress. They hope to finish this spring, which will be a huge step in getting Main Street open again. The goal is to allow businesses which are able to begin reopening by Memorial Day weekend and into the summer of 2025.

  • The WNC Main Street shops at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) have been very successful and plans are to make that a permanent feature. Shops such as Bubba O’Leary’s General Store, Chimney Rock Gem Mine, April’s Boutique, Chimney Rock Park, and others are planning to keep a permanent location there. TIEC also is going to recruit other businesses from small towns in western NC for that area, as well as seasonal craft vendors, seasonal market activities, and other activities during the summer and fall season. Please support these small businesses there as they work towards rebuilding their business in Chimney Rock Village.

  • NC Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley toured the village and volunteered for several hours in the stores rebuilding walls. Secretary Lilley shared that it was a remarkable experience and that the recovery effort in western NC is the top priority of the new administration.

  • NC Secretary of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) Pamela Cashwell also visited and looked at the options for reopening Chimney Rock State Park. Secretary Cashwell shared that getting Chimney Rock State Park open quickly is a major priority.

We all recognize how important it is to reopen the Park and the Village as soon as possible. This will show our progress, give us momentum and hope, and show our ability to get things done. This is so important as we look for funding, investors, grants, and other ways to rebuild Chimney Rock into an even more special place. Stay tuned, 2025 is the year of recovery.

 

Suggestion box_edited.png

Quick Links

Our Address

109 Terrace Dr.

Chimney Rock, NC  28720

828.625.4456

Email us

This is the official municipal website for Chimney Rock Village, NC. Other websites, blogs, or pages on the internet may reference Village programs, individuals or facilities. Those websites, blogs, or pages are not sanctioned by the municipality of Chimney Rock Village, NC, and as such, the Village of Chimney Rock has no control over their content.

 

©Website Design by WriterWorks Communication Strategies, LLC, 2024-2025

​

bottom of page