'Green' visitor center
may quash hopes
for Watauga site
By Scott Nicholson
nicholson@wataugademocrat.com

A new visitor center in Wilkes County will break ground next month, and its approval means Watauga County is unlikely to get a new visitor center anytime soon.

Last week, the N.C. Board of Transportation awarded a nearly $10 million contract to build a new rest area on U.S. 421 near North Wilkesboro.

The new facility has been designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards for environmental stewardship, which aim to lower operating costs, reduce waste, conserve energy and water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The LEED certification is similar to the one Watauga is exploring for its new high school facility, and the company awarded the visitor center contract is also involved in the high school construction.

It will be the first of the state’s 59 visitor centers to be built according to the LEED standards, which were established by the U.S. Green Building Council to promote environmentally sound construction.

“It’s classified as a ‘green visitor center,” Division 11 board of transportation representative Arnold Lakey said. “It will gather rainwater for use in the restrooms, and if there’s not enough, it will use city water.

They’ll build it with minimal impact on the landscape.”

The board awarded the contract to James R. Vannoy and Sons Construction Co. of Jefferson. Construction could begin as early as Jan. 2, 2008, with final completion scheduled by Sept. 15, 2009.

The rest area will be located one mile past the N.C. 115 intersection near the Brushy Mountain exit, which Lakey said would be enhanced to improve access to both North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro.

Lakey said besides the green techniques, the rest stop would be typical, with restrooms, vending machines, picnic tables and a pet exercise area. It will have 87 parking spaces for both cars and tractor-trailers and a designated walking trail around the 22-acre property.

In addition to rainwater collection, the design of storm water basins and natural plantings will help reduce runoff and limit the disruption of natural water flow patterns.

Landscaping will include local drought-tolerant plants, and lighting will be shielded to inhibit light pollution. The roof will feature solar panels that will power interior lighting and the water heater, and the building will also use “light shelves” that allow natural light to penetrate the building’s interior.

The visitor center will be constructed with energy-efficient and sustainable materials such as recycled wood and locally manufactured items.

The state and Wilkes County have established an agreement for the county to staff the visitor center, which will also give out tourism and travel information for people and tourist attractions in a seven-county area.

The county could choose to sublet the contract to an outside agency, similar to the way High Country Host operates a visitor center in Boone on a state contract.

Earlier this year, members of the High Country Host had voiced concern about a rumored plan to build a new visitor center in Boone, possibly closing the center operated on Blowing Rock Road since 1985.

The regional travel and tourism agency has operated with an annual state contract that allows the High Country Host to distribute its members’ brochures and other information.

The High Country Host gets $150,000 a year to operate the center but has been pressing for capital improvements and repairs to the building.

Lakey said any plans for a new Watauga County visitor center were basically off the drawing board and Host leaders expect the state to renew its contract with them.

The N.C. Department of Transportation has been more “green conscious” in the past few years as environmental concerns get more publicity.

The department has implemented several environmentally friendly practices throughout the rest area system, including the addition of recycling bins and pet waste stations to protect groundwater and the use of environmentally friendly materials during construction and renovation of facilities.

Lakey summarized other transportation needs in the division as “plenty to do and not enough money.”