What’s Happening?

What’s going on with Franklin Street right now?
Franklin Street is undergoing a phased revitalization project to improve the parking lot and streetscape.

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Phase 1 includes:

• Parking lot reconstruction

• New sidewalks (Main Street to Willow Street)

• Accessibility (ADA) upgrades

• Brick detailing

• Underground power lines

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When does construction begin?

Construction begins Wednesday, April 8.

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What’s Phase 2?

Phase 2 will continue similar streetscape improvements from Willow Street to South Street (currently out for bid).​

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Parking & Access

Will the Franklin Street parking lot be closed?

Yes — the lot will be closed during the initial phase while improvements are underway.

Where should I park during construction?

There are plenty of nearby options, including:

• Public parking lots throughout downtown (Moore Ave, Virginia St, Main St)

• On-street parking

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Check out our Downtown Parking Map to find a spot!

Will businesses still be open?

Yes! All downtown businesses will remain open and accessible during construction.

Is parking going to be worse during construction?

It may require a short walk during peak times, but parking is still available throughout downtown.

Traffic & Layout Changes

Why is Franklin Street becoming one-way?

The one-way design helps:

• Improve traffic flow

• Reduce congestion and turning conflicts

• Create space for wider sidewalks and safer pedestrian access

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Will the stoplight at Main & Franklin be removed?

Yes — the signal is planned to be removed as part of the project.

Accessibility & Design

Will there be handicap/ADA parking?

Yes — the updated design includes ADA-compliant parking spaces and improved accessibility throughout.

What’s going on with the curbs right now?

The current condition is temporary — the street is sitting lower after recent utility work. As part of this project, everything will be brought back to proper grade with improved sidewalks and accessible ramps.

Timeline

When will construction be completed?

We don’t have a firm completion date just yet, but we’ll share updates as the project progresses.

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Funding

How is this project being funded?

This project is funded through a combination of grant programs, including:

• Rural Transformation Grant: $475,000

• Rural Transformation Grant: $487,500

• USDA (Tillis): $522,000

These investments allow the City to make meaningful improvements to downtown infrastructure, accessibility, and overall experience while leveraging external funding sources.