Lake Lure Advances Recovery Projects as Residents Press for Accountability

Lake Lure Town Council advanced several Hurricane Helene recovery projects Tuesday while residents pressed officials for more transparency over public spending and an ongoing legal dispute.

Council unanimously approved capital project ordinances for wastewater, water and public safety projects. The wastewater treatment plant project alone totals about $8.65 million, including roughly $7.74 million in principal forgiveness and about $913,700 in loan funding.

Council also approved up to $70,000 in additional on-call engineering services for Lake Lure Dam. Town officials said some recovery-related costs may be eligible for FEMA funding, with other expenses coming from the dam fund.

A sewer project along the dam is scheduled to begin Sept. 14, with the dam bridge expected to close from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday during construction.

During public comment, resident Hilary Yoxall questioned the availability of meeting minutes and voting records tied to the town’s legal dispute with Second Mountain LLC, operator of Lured Market & Grill. She also asked about concession revenues connected to town-owned property and whether another business or developer had expressed interest in the property.

Paul Brock, associated with Lured Market, criticized the town’s legal strategy and attorney costs, while saying another settlement proposal was being presented. The litigation remains unresolved.

The accountability questions come as Lake Lure heads toward municipal elections.

Kathie Tanner, representing the Chamber of the Hickory Nut Gorge, announced candidate forums for Oct. 1 at Bills Creek Community Center and Oct. 8. She said all invited council and mayoral candidates had accepted and would receive equal time.

As millions of dollars in recovery work move forward, voters will be weighing not only what gets rebuilt, but how openly the town makes financial and legal decisions.

For more details, read the agenda packet here.