By Jim Buice

The next step in a project that could result in a boutique hotel for Bermuda Run might be right around the corner.

Manager Lee Rollins said that the town anticipated receiving a conceptual plan for the project in the next 30 days from Development Finance Initiative — possibly for the next Bermuda Run Town Council meeting July 10.

“We’re hoping to get something,” Rollins said after last Tuesday night’s meeting, regarding the town entering into agreement to work with DFI after negotiating an option with the Hillsdale Group earlier this year on a three-acre tract next to WinMock barn for a possible hotel.

DFI, which is a subsidiary of the UNC School of Government, partners with local governments to attract private investment for transformative projects by providing specialized finance and development options. The group gave a presentation before the council in April on the process with a timeline calling for developing a plan and building program by late summer or fall, and identifying a private partner by winter 2018-19.

At the time, Rory Dowling, a senior project manager, said that DFI had a robust list of hotel developers who might have interest in such a project at a site that is on the north side of WinMock on Kinderton Boulevard.

Rollins said that based on feedback received from the private sector, the projection was for the hotel to have 90 to 100 rooms.

As Rollins explained the town’s involvement in the process: “DFI goes out with proposals to developers. We’re just the conduit to the Hillsdale Group bridging the gap.”

In action items in the meeting, the town officially adopted the 2018-19 budget ordinance following a public hearing where no one spoke.

The General Fund is proposed to be balanced at $1,835,000. In addition, the Gate Operations Fund is again proposed to be balanced at $512,247, and the Utilities Fund is proposed to be balanced at $532,500.

In addition to a possible update on the hotel in the July meeting, Rollins said that a public hearing will be held on a Comprehensive Plan call to rezone the Town Center area of about 100 acres behind Bojangles to a Village Mixed designation.

In other business, the council:

• Heard from Rollins regarding paving projects that are in play now that the fiscal year is ending in Kinderton Village and in some other areas in the gated community. Rollins added that as of July 1, work on future road projects that received an additional $100,000 in the 2018-19 budget will begin in August or September.

• Heard from Rollins that the town’s next free concert in the Sounds on the Square series will be the N.C. Brass Band on Saturday, June 23, at 7 p.m. at the gazebo area just past Town Hall. He added that the concert featuring the Special Occasion Band, which was postponed on May 26 because of rain and possible thunderstorms, has been rescheduled for Sept. 28.

• Thanked Cindy Griffith, who is town clerk and office supervisor and will now be attending all council meetings, for her eight years of service to Bermuda Run.