Access Road, Park at Verdae Project Completed
GSA Business Daily
April 14, 2009
GSA Daily Staff Report
Rocky Slope Road, a street connecting Woodruff Road and Verdae Boulevard that underwent a $5 million renovation, was rededicated today as the center point of the Verdae development’s master plan.
“The upfit of Rocky Slope Road was a must-do project within Phase I development of the Verdae master plan,” said Rick Sumerel, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Verdae Development Inc. “The co-op with the city and with Duke Energy created a superior street system and pleasing streetscape, which is in keeping with the city’s and Verdae’s expectations for quality.”
The road serves as a central thoroughfare for Verdae, an 1,100-acre mixed use community that is expected to become home to some 10,000 residents. Road improvements to the .852-mile stretch included complex right-of-way issues, traffic calming roadway features, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, lighting fixtures and parkway beautification elements.
“Under the terms of an annexation agreement in 1984, approximately $540,000 was earmarked for necessary improvements to Rocky Slope Road,” said Greenville City Manager Jim Bourey. “With the 2005 announcement of the Verdae master plan, the plan for infrastructure upgrades exceeded the funds available.”
Verdae Development approached the city with a plan to construct the road to city standards under the oversight of the city’s engineering division and to subsidize the project. A development agreement between the city and Verdae Development allows for Verdae to recoup .25 cents rom every new tax dollar generated from the master planned development, allowing for the immediate launch of the reconstruction project without requiring new taxes.
Road construction began in October 2006 and entailed major adjustments to the road’s path. Verdae launched development of its 20-acre park an green space, and its first residential community, Hollingworth Park.
Duke Energy supervised the project and installed the electrical conductor and equipment, consisting of more than 12,000 feet of underground cable.
“This is one of the largest underground duct systems ever built in our service area,” said Brett Carter, president of Duke Energy Carolinas. “It will provide high reliability while meeting the aesthetic needs of the development.”
Originally estimated at $2.5 mllion, the duct system was completed for just over $1 million.
