Last week, the City of Blue Ridge opened bids for renovation to the Train Depot, part of the Streetscape, downtown beautification project. Gay Construction submitted a price of $202,850 for the work, Rock Solid Construction $185,882.36, Pinson Construction $168,584, Better Homes Bureau $148,786.12, and Johnson Landscape Inc. $144,923.31.

During this week’s meeting, the city council voted to grant the depot renovation project to Johnson Landscape Inc., which at $144,923.31 offered the lowest bid. Two additional motions, however, accompanied the approval. Council Member Rhonda Thomas made a motion to move forward with the renovations, with work granted to Johnson Landscape, on the basis that the work meets the historical registry guidelines. Also, Council Member Rodney Kendall made a motion to give Mayor Donna Whitener the authority to sign all the necessary paper work for the project. Both motions were approved.

The project is expected to begin soon.