Future of Franklin Street: Chapel Hill leaders to consider changes to make street more friendly to pedestrians, bikers
Chapel Hill leaders on Wednesday night will examine new design options for Franklin Street.
The Chapel Hill Town Council will look at options to make a roughly one-mile stretch downtown more bike and pedestrian friendly. Some of the town's proposals include major redesigns like adding parklets to add space and amenities on the street. There are also proposals for a multi-use path.
For those major changes to happen, the town would need to take over maintenance of that section from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. As of Wednesday, state maintains the street between the curbs while the town maintains the surfaces from the sidewalk to curb.
“[Town leaders and staff] have been researching design options, talking to different stakeholders about what the feasibility would be, how much would it cost,” said Senior Project Manager Sarah Poulton.
Poulton said the conversation started about a year ago when the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership sent a petition to Town Council urging the town to take over control of the street. The petition stated it would open possibilities and be better for businesses.
Shruken Head boutique manager Matt Pate said improved walkability would benefit the store at 155 East Franklin St.
“I think it certainly would be great for us and certainly anybody else on the street,” Pate said. “Allowing for more foot traffic means more people coming into the store. “
Pate said several people have expressed concerns recently about safety on Franklin Street. WRAL News reported in June and September about harassment. There have been reports of verbal threats, aggressive panhandling, sexual harassment and crime.
Poulton said the town has run two surveys. She said respondents indicated they want Franklin Street to be more welcoming for cyclists and pedestrians.
Pate thinks if Franklin Street prioritizes walkability, it should also prioritize walkers' safety.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill senior Hayden Trayah is an avid cyclist, who regularly travels along Franklin Street.
“It’s car-centric,” Trayah said. “It’s not as bad as most cities but could be improved.”
The UNC-Chapel Hill campus has 31,539 students, according to the school’s website.
“This is the center of the community of Chapel Hill,” Trayah said of Franklin Street. “We should not have the whole thing be just one big pass through for cars.”
Trayah thinks the parklets are a brilliant idea.
“For sustainability, for livability, I feel like in America we are awakening to the idea that our cities should not be designed for cars,” Trayah said.
UNC-Chapel Hill sophomore Eli Smyly said he thinks Franklin Street could use some improvements.
“Any way to bring the community more together and have a place to hang out, and chill with friends studying, eating or hanging out would be great for the environment out here,” Smyly said.
A vote is not expected during the 7 p.m. ET Wednesday meeting.
“Tonight is really to reopen the conversation, see where their minds are,” Poulton said.
