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By Jim Buice

For the Clemmons Courier

The Town of Lewisville continues to add to its extensive network of sidewalks with the approval of an ordinance to construct a path along one side of Shallowford Road from Lowes Foods Drive to Shallowford Reserve Drive with a total project cost of $1,314,667.

In its November meeting, the town council approved establishing the Shallowford Road CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) Sidewalk Capital Project Ordinance.

Town Manager James Ayers signed the agreement with the N.C. Department of Transportation for the locally administered project with the following financial terms: $884,928 from CMAQ and $166,806 from CRPDA (Carbon Reduction Program) in federal funding and $262,933 to cover the 20 percent local match.

In addition, the council approved a budget amendment to transfer that amount from the General Fund to the newly created Shallowford Road CMAQ Sidewalk Capital Project Ordinance Fund.

With the agreement in place, staff is prepared to move forward with the usual components of the project, which includes a 10 percent contingency over the figures above with the following expenditures totaling $1,446,134: Construction, $947,760; Preliminary Engineering, $208,507; Right-of-Way/Utility Relocation, $158,400; Contingency, $131,467.

It’s been almost a year since Ayers first provided information to the board on a letter of support for the town involving a CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) grant funding request for the sidewalk extension.

The item topped the list of new businesses on the agenda, which also included the approval of one-time facility fee exemptions for upcoming events at the Mary Alice Warren Community Center involving the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, the N.C. League of Municipalities and the Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber of Commerce. Earlier in the meeting, the town received a favorable annual audit report from Gipson & Company PA.
The administrative reports were highlighted by four-holiday events to be held in Lewisville during the first 10 days of December.

It starts with Dec. 1 Holiday Open House from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., which is hosted by the Shallowford Foundation and the Town of Lewisville, with live music, decorated trees and refreshments at the Mary Alice Warren Community Center.

That dovetails into the town’s annual tree lighting ceremony on that night at 7 p.m. just down the street in Shallowford Square. The Victorian Carolers will start the evening at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments and cookies being served, along with an expected appearance from Santa.

The next weekend kicks off on Friday, Dec. 8, with the Disney movie “The Santa Clause” being shown at the Mary Alice Warren Community Center. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with the movie starting at 7 p.m.

Free hot chocolate, apple cider, water, cookies, brownies and popcorn will be available. Space is limited, so those wanting to come should register at lewisvillenc./net/christmas-movie-night or call 336-945-1026.

Then, on Sunday, Dec. 10, the 2023 Lewisville Christmas Parade is scheduled at 3 p.m. The 38th annual parade will feature floats, dance and drill teams, and local marching bands. Roads into Lewisville will be closed to traffic at 2:30 p.m. until the conclusion of the parade.

“It’s one of the biggest and most fun in the area,” Ayers said. “It will be a nice way to celebrate the holiday season.”