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We're Reimagining Main Street!

The City of Salisbury, in coordination with the N.C. Department of Transportation, proposes to improve the safety, mobility, and appearance of a six (6)-block section of US 29 (Main Street) in Rowan County (STIP No. HL-0064). The project is being developed in phases, the first of which was completed in 2021. Phase II of the project will address a six (6)-block section of US 29 (Main Street) from Kerr Street to Horah Street.

Proposed upgrades will include:

  • Additional on-street parking and handicapped parking
  • Pedestrian lighting
  • Improved streetscape amenities including ADA requirements
  • Outdoor dining
  • Bike racks, benches, trash bins, and trees

Area utilities will also be replaced and upgraded during construction. The project is funded as a Locally Administered Project through coordination with the Cabarrus-Rowan MPO and the NCDOT. Federal funds are also used through the Block Grant Program Direction Allocation

Summer 2024 Comment Period and Responses

Salisbury, along with their design consultant, ESP Associates, Inc., held an informational public meeting on July 23, 2024, to present draft construction plans for proposed improvements along Main Street between Horah and Kerr Streets. The meeting was an open-house format that allowed the public, property owners, residents, and business owners the opportunity to review the plans and speak with city staff and members of the design team. In addition, a public comment period remained open through August 20, 2024. Through the meeting and comment period, the City received 83 comments and/or questions regarding the design through 53 attendees at the public meeting and 14 electronic responses. We have grouped the questions into eight (8) categories and provided responses in this Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. All categories are equally important, and we have listed them in alphabetical order. Actual questions/comments received are also provided on our website.

Bicycle Facilities

Several comments focused on bicycle facilities in the downtown, including the provision of attractive bike parking and dedicated bicycle facilities. Staff and the ESP design team are working together to ensure attractive and purposeful bicycle racks are designed and placed throughout the project limits. Adding separated bicycle lanes on Main Street within the core downtown area is not a feasible alternative without decreasing sidewalk widths or eliminating parking spaces. All these elements are important, and we are working to balance the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and business owners. The plan will continue to use “sharrows” to indicate shared road usage for vehicles and cyclists. Roadway elements will be added to help keep traffic slower in the downtown area, and pedestrian crossings of Main Street will be shortened to enhance safety. Dedicated bicycle lanes will remain on both North and South Main Streets beyond the current project limits. In addition, the City was awarded a grant for a new Multi-Modal Plan. This plan is separate from the Main Street Project, and will evaluate all modes of transportation and make short and long-term recommendations for improvements both in the downtown and throughout Salisbury.

Bump Outs

Comments concerning bump outs were mixed, and the proposed design reflects the goals of the original Master Plan adopted in 2020. Using the Master Plan, combined with the latest input received, staff reviewed bump out locations and worked with the consultant to eliminate some of the smaller bump outs while enhancing locations at intersections and mid-block. In addition, the design of the bump outs will be adjusted to address abrupt points and provide smoother radii. Bump outs at the intersections are an important element to enhance pedestrian safety by reducing crossing distance. Pedestrians will also receive a leading pedestrian interval (LPI) built into the traffic signal timing to establish their presence within a crosswalk prior to the release of traffic. The shorter crossing distances created by the bump outs will allow more efficient timing plans for both motorists and pedestrians. The bump outs will not be designed to accommodate easy turning maneuvers by tractor-trailers, but will accommodate longer wheel-base single unit vehicles. The addition of mid-block bump outs will provide interesting spaces, add colorful, planted elements, serve as an extension of the sidewalk space in some areas, and provide opportunity for future mid-block crossings.

Construction Impacts on Small Businesses

Lessening the impact of construction on businesses is a top priority for the City of Salisbury. A communication plan will be in place to ensure businesses and property owners are informed of progress and can plan accordingly. Construction will be phased to limit the extent of the active construction zone, and intermediate completion times will be established as part of the contract documents to help alleviate impact during the holiday season. Temporary access will be maintained by the contractor when feasible, and times of impact to front door access will be communicated well in advance to allow businesses to plan for alternate access. Impact to front doors will be limited as much as possible, but unfortunately, is necessary to provide items such as sidewalk tie-ins and utility work. The City will have inspectors in the field daily, and will communicate frequently with Downtown Salisbury, Inc. and the Communications team to ensure updates are disseminated as quickly as possible. We cannot currently predict a timeline by block or section, but the duration of the construction is anticipated to last about 18 to 24 months. The City and Downtown Salisbury, Inc are developing grant programs to support businesses impacted by the project, and plan to roll out at least two separate programs. Both will consist of multiple funding cycles throughout the phasing of the construction. One will be similar to the existing façade grants, the Main Street Improvement Grant, offered by the City. DSI plans to offer one that will support grants for business expenses to help them through the project, such as website development, marketing assistance, etc. More information will be available about these grants as the programs are finalized.

Future Ideas

Generally, the design for Main Street is considered timeless, but allows for elements to be added in the future. The public comment period provided many good ideas to consider. Among those were EV charging stations, drone delivery zones, and solar power for receptacles. Expanding the improvements to alleys and other adjacent areas is also desired. Staff and the design team are working to maximize the grant dollars for enhancements along Main Street. New lighting and mast arms are one element that will make a big impact, along with the enhanced pedestrian safety improvements and streetscape elements. Also included in the project is the abandonment of the existing aged waterline in Main Street and the addition of new water mains on each side of the road, making it easier to provide service for domestic and fire protection. EV charging stations were considered, but consensus of the team was to plan for this amenity on side streets or other properties within the downtown due to the size of required infrastructure. If future demand supports additional EV charging, it can be easily added in the future, as the project also includes a new electrical duct bank along each side of Main Street. NCDOT will not allow for drone deliveries within the right-of-way, but designated public spaces for deliveries could potentially be an option for the future. We are happy to see that Salisbury citizens and businesses are creative and concerned about a “future proof” design.

Landscaping

Landscaped areas will increase with the Main Street plan, but are being designed to be sustainable and not create a heavy burden for maintenance. The project does not include irrigation, and will utilize plantings native to this region that are relatively low maintenance. The plantings will be a mix of evergreens, deciduous, and perennial plants that will add seasonal interest and color. Existing trees have reached their expected life span for an urban environment, and will be replaced with new trees in areas designed to eliminate impacts to sidewalks, including root barriers and structural soil. Hardscape elements are being designed to enhance the overall appearance of the downtown and blend with improvements already installed along the 100 block of West Innes Street. Both concrete pavers and brick pavers will be installed over a concrete base to allow for seamless replacement in the case of future underground work. Signage blocked by trees continues to be a concern, and the design team is taking this into consideration as they choose species. With the current design, trees are spaced approximately 70 feet on center.

Lighting

A lighting plan is included as part of the construction plans. Currently, both vehicular and pedestrian scale lighting is leased from, and maintained by, Duke Energy. The project will install a new electrical duct bank on each side of Main Street within the project limits to accommodate the installation of City-owned and maintained lighting. The Community Appearance Commission and Downtown Salisbury, Inc. Design Committee reviewed and selected fixtures and poles for vehicular scale lighting, pedestrian scale lighting, and traffic signal mast arms. All lighting will be white LED to enhance visibility and safety, and will be night sky friendly with cut-off fixtures. Poles will be decorative and will be dark green in color. With the current plan, we anticipate vehicular scale (roadway) lighting to be staggered two per block, plus one on each mast arm at intersections. Pedestrian lighting will be eight per block (four each side). The City-owned lighting and duct bank opens opportunities for additional amenities to be added in the future, but the poles will be designed initially with banner arms and outlets at the top to accommodate seasonal decorations or other amenities.

Parking

Phase 1 of Main Street was coordinated with NCDOT’s resurfacing project, and involved reducing travel lanes from four to three, and changing parking from 30-degree to 45-degree angled spaces. The change in angle decreased the required width of each space at the curb, allowing more parking spaces per block. Blocks with parallel spaces were adjusted to allow 22-foot long spaces for interior, with 20-foot long spaces on the ends. The total number of parking spaces on Main Street between Horah Street and Kerr Street prior to Phase 1 re-striping was 190. Phase 1 allowed a generous 268 spaces along this section of Main Street. The final parking space count with Phase 2 of the project is estimated to be 207 parking spaces, which is an increase from the original layout. This number does not include areas designated as loading zones, which will also be provided in strategic locations. The final plan is designed to upgrade aged infrastructure, improve ADA access and pedestrian safety, create a sense of place, and provide an attractive and vibrant atmosphere that supports economic growth.

Wayfinding

Existing wayfinding signage in the downtown was provided by Rowan County Tourism Development Authority. The City will continue to work with our partners to enhance both vehicular and pedestrian scale wayfinding signage in the downtown. Any wayfinding signage along Main Street must be approved by NCDOT.

An informational public meeting was held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, to present the draft construction plans for proposed improvements along Main Street in Downtown Salisbury. The meeting was an open house format that allowed the public, residents, and business owners the opportunity to obtain information about the project, review the plans, speak with city staff and members of the design team. The comments below were received during the open house. Similar or related comments have been grouped together for discussion.

Comments
Bump outs are good for pedestrians, but they should not be too sharp-edged. Dangerous for people and cars.
Let water drain into planting areas from street. Increase infiltration zones.
As much sidewalk seating as possible.
Think about attractive and consistent signage throughout the corridor.
What will life be like in 2040? Will this design be future proof?
Consider areas for drone delivery zones. (See Holly Springs.)
Provide shade for seating. Solar canopies? Connect solar to batteries to plugs. Let people know that they are getting 100% solar direct to their device.
Ensure easy, attractive bike parking.
Help for local businesses impacted by construction.
Grant money for businesses.
Think about how it will affect small businesses.
Working to continue to support businesses, etc.
Is there a plan to help small business who will be impacted by closing?
I'm excited about the potential of these Main Street improvements to revitalize our downtown area. However, it's crucial to prioritize the needs of our local businesses throughout the project. These types of construction projects can be incredibly disruptive, and many small businesses operate on thin margins. While I understand the necessity for progress, I hope the city will take proactive steps to minimize the impact on our downtown businesses and implement strategies to support them during this time.
How will the business handle sidewalk closures? Will temporary access be installed like is done on the bigger projects in Charlotte etc.
Will access to business front doors on both sides of the street be maintained even if the sidewalk is closed on that side?
Need a schedule for when business will have to be closed. Those of us that schedule customers/classes need to know in advance.
Would be good use of DSI to contact the public (through existing channels) as to progress & relay information to still promote shopping & dining in the downtown. Advertise – “still open”.
How long will businesses need to be closed for construction?
What is the estimated timeframe for project completion?
Do we have an estimated timeframe per block for construction where business owners would expect disruption?
Big wide sidewalks.
Make alleys off Main Street attractive.
Make attractive lighting.
Add EV charging.
Add large street trees.
Trees that don’t mess up business covered areas [sic].
Planting these big trees. Didn’t the last trees mess the sidewalk [sic]? We don’t have enough city staff that have time to cut the trees now.
More parking spot [sic] not less.
Parking on S. Main between Fisher & Bank on the City Hall side is already limited. It is the only section w/parallel parking and a much wider sidewalk. The theater should not have a “loading zone” that removed what little parking there is right in front of our businesses. The parking that is there fills up fast from all the restaurants down Fisher. I understand the city wants to showcase City Hall, but it should not be done at the expense of parking.
Parking spots – we already lost some when they did the road remodel. Now we have to go from 25 spots to 13 on one side. You don’t have any business in mind.
Is the total number of parking spots pre and post project available? Especially in the 100 block. From the drawing it appears we will have less spaces not ‘additional on street parking’ which would be a significant concern
I do not like the jut out seating areas. They are dangerous. I deal with them in Kannapolis and they don’t get used. Parking is always an issue in our block and this means less parking.
Why do we need all these huge seating areas that take up parking spots? That’s why we built the park. We don’t have people sitting on half the benches now.
Don’t take away parking for delivery drivers. We don’t have enough parking as it is.
No bump outs.
Bump outs for businesses to have more room would be great. Some businesses try to do that now and it results in essentially having to walk in the street.
Don’t start on a block during holiday season.
I would like to see tables and chairs in a few of the bump outs (see Statesville, NC).
Will there be a shuttle for customers during construction if parking is closed in front of businesses?
Are any discussions happening with county to put parking deck where magistrates office now is [sic]?
Will we know (business owners) where old trolley rails and sewer lines are in front of our building in advance of work beginning?
Will existing trees remain utilized?
I don’t see a clear lighting plan.
Move recycling/trash in front of 110 S. Main to a restaurant & put an extra pedestrian light instead.
Bump outs worst idea ever [sic]. Our town is on two main roads with fire trucks and tractor trailers coming and going. We don’t need anything else blocking the roads. It’s already hard enough to turn near park with those things.
I do like the bump outs! But the crosswalks need to be stripped properly.
I am very interested to hear more about this though. I live further down off N. Main and walk my dog up to the downtown on a near daily basis. Pedestrian safety should be the key to these talks. dramatically over “traffic flow”. There is no traffic flow up Main. You get stopped at every light. Meanwhile Innes is reminiscent of a drag strip where individuals flying through downtown at 50%+ of the speed limit. They also turn onto main and other side streets without looking/slowing down for crosswalks - I got an email saying this was changing more than two years ago and yet it remains the same. I have lived all over the state and through out the country and I have never seen a downtown used in such a way. Downtown should be a destination, not a highway.
We have to incentivize people walking around, and getting out of there cars. That’s when they go multiple places and spend money at different locations. This leads to better health throughout the community. We can see Bell Tower Green has been a great success for events and everyday use. It is nearly always full with people when the weather is nice. This requires the infrastructure and feeling SAFE. I always feel like I’m running, not walking downtown so I rarely venture there anymore because it isn’t enjoyable. We end up driving to China Grove, Concord, Kannapolis, or Winston Salem because half the downtown is empty or shops designed solely for people with children, or the opposite end of the spectrum, retired people, not people in the middle like us.
haven’t heard about any of the proposed meetings until now. I would wonder who could attend these meetings other than a) retired individuals or b) business owners. The vast majority of individuals are at work, and most of the people I know do not work in-town. I certainly don’t.
It sounds very good and it should improve Salisbury standing among nearby NC cities. I think the project should be expanded further north and south of Main Street.
Q: What was your first thought when reviewing the Main Street Plan? A: Prosaic (simple, plain, ordinary, predictable, cold, hard)... something designed by a traffic engineer rather than a landscape architect. Monotonous. Utilitarian.
Q: What were you expecting to see? A: Inviting, interesting, warm, thoughtful, unique.
Q: What could be done to soften the design and make the space more inviting? A: More trees, closer together (canopy), with branches less dense. More permeable surfaces so that they survive. A: More pedestrian scale lighting (closer together) with lower lumens and 2700-3000K, color temperature A: Tables and chairs, rocking chairs, art, flowering baskets and plantings, grass. More vegetation in general.
Q: Do you really think this opportunity for public comment will result in any design changes? A: No. This process simply checks the "get public comment" box by the City. I have no expectations whatsoever (so I won't be disappointed).
The adopted design will be a missed opportunity to do something truly unique and welcoming for Main Street. The design reeks of polyester. Like no iron trousers or a maintenance free stainless steel [sic] toilet at the jail. It is very utilitarian. It is prosaic.
Recommendation to check out Yadkinville’s sidewalks and updated downtown.
Best place for a parking deck – Wallace lot.
Recommendation to check out Lexington and Statesville for ideas as well as Davidson.
Love the bump outs. Invites folks who can only stand for so long have a chance to rest. The bump outs are their favorite.
Appreciation for the coffee trees as they allow for visibility of business signage between branches.
Is the basket weave pattern more intensive? Worth inquiring about the costs to lay basket weave vs running bond vs herringbone.
Look into handicap parking numbers, include on a map where handicap spaces are located.
Just one thing that we must take care of now. These cars that are so very loud and backfire that are "racing" or at least going super-fast and then slowly down - I'm sure they have a name and have become popular. These cars are making loops around south main, Fulton, Innes. Is there a way to put a noise ordinance in downtown? It is disturbing all of us that like to sit outside, our pets, etc. the backfire sounds like gun shots, etc. I'd hate to see a beautiful city scape with people eating on the sidewalks and then these cars racing around.
It’s nice to see thought going into expanding access and interest in our downtown, however, I would also like to know that the police department will be actively patrolling the area to ensure its safety to help attract people to the area. A lot of people avoid Salisbury because of the reputation for crime and lack of patrolling. The downtown and its surrounding areas need to be patrolled and kept safe to make this investment with while.
Has irrigation piping been included for the planters and trees?
Are streetlights being downsized (shorter) as to add to the beauty of downtown?
Is working at night an option? This could allow stores to be open and mitigate the loss of business. Plus, it would hopefully be cooler at night.
The project is fabulous! Let’s keep moving this great city into the future growth potential.
I grew up in Rowan County and come home often, always arriving by Amtrak. I am so glad to see this project moving forward! The bulbouts, wider sidewalks, and 4 -> 3 conversion are especially exciting. I have never owned a car and know many of Salisbury's residents also don't own personal vehicles (~10.8% of households, which is double the state average of 5.4% according to the 2022 ACS 5 year data).
Increasing the safety and friendliness for pedestrians, transit riders, and bicyclists is a valuable investment for improving the equity of transportation and livability of the city. Please consider mid-block crossings, pedestrian median refuges at crossings, sheltered bus stops, and covered bike parking. Please keep a 4 way stop and bike boxes in mind for future improvements. I have also lived in a community that implemented reverse angle parking, and after an adjustment period it was well-observed and felt WAY safer for both driving and riding a bike on those streets. Please keep that in mind as a future treatment.
Also please consider ways to increase the robustness of the messaging that bike riders are welcome, beyond typical sharrows. NACTO notes that sharrows are "not a facility type and should not be considered a substitute for bike lanes, cycle tracks, or other separation treatments". Look into "lane in lane" markings for bikes in the sharrow-parts of the network (Salt Lake City and Brookline MA examples here: : https://nacto.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/More-Than-Sharrows-Lane-Within-A-Lane-Bicycle-Priority-Treatments-in-Three-US-Cities.pdf. Consider NACTO membership as a small city peer as a way to further advance the objectives of safe, enjoyable downtown access for everyone, regardless of their mode of travel. I look forward to coming home and experiencing the improvements!!!
Thank you for your work on the project Reimagining Main Street. I am a native of Salisbury and a current Fellow with America Walks Walking College. The Reimagining Main Street project is a great improvement over the current wide lanes and car-centered infrastructure of the current Main Street design. I strongly support the design proposals including: narrowing the four lanes to three lanes, curb pop-outs, more green space and pedestrian seating, bike racks, and other design proposals that make the street more inviting to pedestrians and cyclists.
I would also like to request a raised speed table in the main square if possible to slow cars down further as they go through the center of town.
I suggest that all pedestrian lighting be capped lights rather than globe lights. Globe lights emit light all around and can disrupt sleep and increase stress for neighboring apartments. With Salisbury’s goal to make downtown more inviting to full-time residents, it’s important to be mindful about light pollution and reduce it with capped lighting such as that found at airports and parks.
I'd like to suggest that green space include some stormwater retention or rain garden areas. These can be a great way to educate the public about stormwater management. Future weather outlooks call for heavier rains and more flooding. This design can take that into account with some rain gardens and stormwater retention areas while educating the public with signage.
I'd like to suggest pedestrian and cyclists-focused and small-scaled wayfinding signs from Main Street. For example, arrows to get to the Train Station, the Library, and other Salisbury landmarks. Wayfinding signs at the scale of walkers promotes a sense of place and helps people navigate using the landscape rather than their phones. They also show that transportation planners are considering all road users when they create signage.
Like the bump outs; should continue to help make pedestrian friendly.
Like the planters & trees; more green more shade.
Will continue to help slow traffic (3 lane helped a lot [sic].
I imagine there may be concern over parking spots but I have never had an issue. The gateway lot is underutilized most likely b/c people don’t feel safe walking there.
Good to have a parking enforcement officer but needs to start issuing tickets to repeat offenders using spots in prime locations.
Keep up the good work. We need to get people out of their cars and on the street. Not many drive-thrus in downtown.

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