Aug. 26--While the resolution to a lengthy court battle awaits, Lenoir officials appear ready to halt truck access along a narrow street at the former Singer Furniture site.

During Tuesday's Committee of the Whole meeting at City Hall, a study of Evans Street was presented that shows few good options should real estate management company Schwarz and Schwarz lose its appeal to the North Carolina Supreme Court concerning three disputed railroad crossings off Norwood Street (U.S. 321-A).

As a result, approximately 20 businesses located within the former Singer property, including a large warehouse for Kincaid Furniture, could wind up with no access point.

The multi-year dispute involves the Caldwell County Railroad and Schwarz and Schwarz. CCR President Don McGrady, who leases the railroad from the Caldwell Railroad Commission, contends the railroad owns the rights of way for the crossings and has requested Schwarz and Schwarz sign an agreement that grants CCR the right to close the crossings with a 30-day notice. In previous court rulings, including a unanimous decision by the North Carolina Court of Appeals, CCR's position has prevailed.

In preparation for a possible closure of the crossings, Schwarz and Schwarz has been preparing a rear access point to the property, accessible by Evans Street, a residential road running approximately 2,350 feet long but only 18 to 20 feet wide.

It's the narrow nature of the road that has Lenoir officials concerned.

"We would not recommend truck traffic on Evans Street as it is now," Lenoir Police Chief Joey Reynolds said.

Lenoir City Manager Lane Bailey requested a study of the road to determine the feasibility of bringing Evans Street up to industrial access standards. According to Lenoir Public Utilities Director Charles Beck, widening and improving the paving surface would cost $102,500. He advised the study does not take rights of way acquisitions into account.

"It's the city's thought, given budget constraints, that we not do that," said Beck, adding the city likely will need to take some type of action if and when the crossings are closed.

Bailey said city officials have received e-mails from residents along Evans Street who are concerned about the possibility of heavy truck traffic. He said the tightness of the road, along with a sharp 90-degree turn at one point, makes the road unsuitable.

"It would be the staff's recommendation that we limit truck traffic," said Bailey.