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Lake Lure Town Hall restoration begins nearly two years after Helene
Interior demolition is underway at the historic municipal building as the town targets a 2027 reopening. Restoration work at nearby Morse Park is also planned, pending state environmental approval.
Nearly two years after Hurricane Helene devastated Lake Lure, restoration work has begun at the town’s historic Town Hall, marking another step toward restoring municipal operations to their original location.
The Town of Lake Lure announced on Sept. 17 that interior demolition is underway at the building, located at 2948 Memorial Highway, as officials continue working through regulatory, permitting, and Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements associated with the restoration.
Several counties and communities upstream had the contents of multiple homes, businesses, and infrastructure come to rest in the lake from flooding of the Broad River.
The town’s goal is to complete the restoration and return municipal operations to the building in 2027. An exact reopening date has not been announced.
The project comes as Lake Lure continues rebuilding public infrastructure damaged during Hurricane Helene in September 2024. The storm caused widespread flooding, debris accumulation, and damage to roads, utilities, public facilities, and recreational areas throughout the community.
Restoring town hall will allow municipal operations to return to their longtime location along Memorial Highway. It was built in a flood plain, public records and FEMA maps show.
For now, Town Hall will continue operating from its temporary location at The Landings, 920 Buffalo Creek Road.
Morse Park restoration planned
The town also announced plans to begin site restoration in the portion of Morse Park adjacent to town hall in the coming weeks.
Officials are working with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) to obtain the necessary permit before construction begins.
Once the permit is approved, grading will begin to establish proper drainage and stabilize the site.
The town has not announced a construction completion date for the Morse Park improvements.
Both projects are part of Lake Lure’s broader recovery effort as the community approaches the second anniversary of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 27.
Although interior demolition has begun, the town has not released a final restoration cost, a detailed construction schedule, or the amount of FEMA reimbursement anticipated for the project.
The town said restoration efforts will continue as it works through the remaining regulatory and permitting requirements.
Town Hall remains open to the public at The Landings, 920 Buffalo Creek Road, while restoration work continues at its original location.
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