Public can weigh in on Hillsborough Street upgrades

As part of the transportation bond passed in October's election, the city plans to spend $6 million on improvements to make the road – which sees approximately 21,000 vehicles daily – more user-friendly and safer for pedestrians.

Proposed improvements include converting it to a two-lane road, with a raised median, from Gardner Street to Rosemary Street at Shepherd Street, marked bike-lanes and on-street parking where feasible.

Plans also call for roundabouts at Brooks Avenue, Dixie Trail and Rosemary and Shepherd streets.

Upgrades could also include better lighting and public art, says Jeff Murison, executive director of Hillsborough Street Community Service Corp.

Upgrades several years ago near North Carolina State University's Bell Tower have already meant a positive impact to the area, Murison says.

"There's been probably $300 million of redevelopment projects that have come to the street, that have either been started, are underway or are proposed," he said.

Right now, he says, there are very few vacancies, and additional streetscape improvements will likely mean a second wave of development.

"There's a lot of energy, and people are rediscovering (the area)," he said.