Last Updated on July 16, 2026 3:14 pm
BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — Town Manager Alice Derian's latest “Message from the Manager” update recaps recent Town Council action on a Green Hill Road speed limit reduction and the Annie Cannon Gardens pavilion project, along with a cellular service upgrade, a new Trails Month proclamation, and a Town board vacancy.
Green Hill Road Speed Limit Lowered
Town Council held a public hearing on reducing the speed limit on Green Hill Road and approved lowering the limit on the Town-owned portion of the roadway from 25 mph to 20 mph. Signage is being updated and is anticipated to be complete next week, so drivers are asked to use caution when traveling the road in the meantime. The Town thanked everyone who attended the hearing and shared input on the change.
Annie Cannon Gardens Pavilion Project Moves Forward
John Aldridge of The Village Foundation of Blowing Rock presented updated plans for Annie Cannon Gardens, including a new pavilion and restrooms. The collaborative $1.1 million project will be funded by an anticipated $350,000 in private donations through The Village Foundation, a $500,000 Great Trails State Program grant, and a $250,000 Town commitment.
Town Council approved a capital project budget ordinance for the Glen Burney Trail and Annie Cannon Park renovations and accepted the grant award, with the requirement that donations be received before any construction contract is awarded.
Community Update: Cellular Enhancements
Blue Ridge Energy started construction as scheduled last month on Verizon small cell installations, with completion still anticipated by October 2026. Two new installations on the U.S. 321 corridor have been completed, and four to five more are currently in progress.
The multi-phase initiative is focused on improving both coverage and capacity. While residents may currently see strong signal strength indications on their devices, network capacity limitations have affected voice and data performance. The ongoing upgrades are designed to improve performance and available bandwidth and better support current and future demand.
Blue Ridge Conservancy Trails Month Proclamation
Town Council adopted a proclamation declaring July 2026 BRC Trails Month, recognizing the initiative to connect Blowing Rock to Boone with a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly greenway through the Middle Fork Greenway project of Blue Ridge Conservancy. The proclamation notes that Blue Ridge Conservancy is partnering with Watauga County and the towns of Blowing Rock and Boone to seek state and federal grants that require matching funds, and encourages residents and visitors to round up purchases at participating Town of Blowing Rock businesses to the nearest dollar to benefit the Middle Fork Greenway project.
Board Vacancy: Alcohol Beverage Control Board
The Town of Blowing Rock is seeking to fill a vacant seat on its Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Board, which oversees operation and management of the Town ABC store and employs a local ABC officer to enforce state ABC laws. The three-member board meets at 2 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, and members are appointed by Town Council for three-year terms. The current vacancy is for an unexpired term that runs through February 2027.
Residents interested in serving should complete a Board Appointment Application by Friday, July 31, 2026. Applications can be downloaded from blowingrock.gov or picked up at Town Hall, and completed applications can be submitted to Town Clerk Hilari Hubner by mail to PO Box 47, Blowing Rock, NC 28605; by email at clerk@townofblowingrocknc.gov; or dropped off at Town Hall, 1036 Main Street.
Thank You and Appointments
The Town thanked Sylvia Tarleton, who has served on the ABC Board for five years, for her service. Town Council also thanked former Councilman Pete Gherini for his service on the Watauga Economic Development Commission (WEDC) and congratulated Councilman Wayne Miller on his appointment to serve on the commission.
The WEDC is a county-funded economic development commission administered through the Boone Chamber of Commerce to promote the development of business compatible with the existing resources and assets of Watauga County. The commission serves as a guide to growth in the county by encouraging the creation or retention of jobs that pay above-average wages and have a favorable or non-adverse impact on the physical or social environment, contributing to a balanced, stable and vital local economy.
