CANTON, N.C. (WLOS) — Some of the buildings in Canton that were flooded by Tropical Storm Fred and Hurricane Helene will be torn down, but town leaders say one prominent structure will be repurposed instead.
Canton is turning the old A&P building on Park Street into an open-air space designed to better withstand future flooding from the Pigeon River. Plans call for remodeling the building to include large doors that can be opened to allow floodwaters to flow through.
The space is expected to be used for a market, events and a playground. It will be located next to the splash pad in Sorrells Street Park.
AFTER TWO MAJOR FLOODS, CANTON’S REBUILD IS MOVING FORWARD, BUT THE COSTS ARE CLIMBING
Mayor Zeb Smathers said the project fits with Canton’s goal of attracting young families.
“We know there’s future flooding, but we can’t just tuck and run. And so it’s a balancing act, and this project really does that,” Smathers said. “It’s a renovation, but [it] adds mitigation to open those doors, so when the mud comes, we can just wash it down. But again, one step at a time; we’re very excited to have this open for young families. We expect completion date sometime in late fall.”
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Canton bought the old A&P years ago. The project is funded entirely by state grants.