THE DOWNTOWN CHERRYVILLE LAND USE + STREETSCAPE MASTER PLAN WAS FUNDED THROUGH THE GENEROUS DONATIONS OF THE FOLLOWING: The Community Foundation of Gaston County ElectriCities of North Carolina The Cherryville Shriners Club Darin and Brooke Aldridge The Cherryville Main Street Program The City of Cherryville Project Consulting Team: 2
Initial Observations + Analysis Opportunities Strategies Implementation: Phases + Costs + Process Qualitative Return on Investment 3
Arrival: Four unattractive, non-descript entrances into Downtown Cherryville; do not project the character of the Downtown Comfort: Lack of shade trees downtown along city streets; lots of exposed pavement reflecting heat; and limited seating Pedestrian Quality: Large expanses of asphalt; narrow sidewalks and crossings; and little pedestrian friendly space Destinations + Amenities: Nice, scattered destinations and amenities that would benefit from reorganization, clustering and increased visibility 4
Upgrade infrastructure and drive the initiative to enhance Main Street Increase the visibility of destinations and amenities Turn the railroad corridor into a positive space Create identifiable districts and cluster destination types Implement a tree planting program and create a tree canopy Link destinations with a streetscape and wayfinding plan Organize, beautify, and create usable space behind the buildings Plan for future growth opportunities Create an expanded destination at the Farmers Market Site Identify opportunities for public art 5
I. II. III. IV. IV. VI. VII. VIII. Improve Main Street Streetscape Leverage the Railway Corridor Create a Shared Alley for Pedestrians + Autos Elevate the Existing Downtown Destinations Create a City Commons Park Create an Amenity Trail Evaluate Parking Implement a Future Framework for Downtown Growth 6
Strategy I: Improve Main Street Streetscape 7
Improve the Intersection at City Center Bulb-outs slow traffic and create pedestrian space Wide paver crosswalks slow traffic and enhance safety Shade trees and pavers mitigate the heat on summer days 8
Enhance the City Center 9
Create a Pedestrian Friendly Area + Promote City Landmark Shade trees and wide paver cross-walk links Mini-Park to Chamber area Roundabout creates a new attraction and raises the visibility of the iconic New Year s Shooter 10
Pedestrian Friendly Area + City Landmark Wide cross-walks slow traffic and enhance safety Pavers reduce the summer heat and add to aesthetics Trees provide shade Planters add beauty Roundabout slows traffic NYS statue becomes an icon Adds art & heritage Classic photo opportunity 11
Bulb outs create pedestrian friendly space and slow down traffic Streetscape Components 12 Pedestrian sidewalks Enhanced sidewalk and crosswalk paving Areas for lights, hanging baskets, signage Areas for benches and refuse receptacles 8 tree planting areas 12
Patterned pavers and new side walks replace old bricks and walks 13
Add trees along Main Street from Mulberry to Jacob Streets Increased tree canopy provides shade Extended pedestrian areas slow traffic Bulb outs provide more seating area Decorative paving enhances the pedestrian experience Hanging baskets add seasonal decor 14
Add trees along Main Street from Jacob to Depot Streets DEPOT Increase tree canopy on both public and private property to mitigate heat and improve aesthetics Incorporate trees into existing parking lots by converting some spaces into planting islands Plant new trees in concrete containers to ensure they will thrive without disrupting pavement 15
Strategy II: Leverage the Railway Corridor 16
Create a Rail Trail north of Main Street along the CSX track View from Mountain Street looking east 17
Mini-Park Trail runs from Mountain to Depot Streets along the CSX rail line Truck Museum Skate Park Old Depot Crushed rock will form the base Shade trees on both sides Lighting for night time walks Benches and refuse receptacles Art displays along the way Angled parking and one way traffic Paint rear facades of buildings Replace existing utilities Grade and repave alleyway 18
Strategy III: Create a Shared Alley for Pedestrians + Autos Optimize use of alleys as attractive shared auto and pedestrian space Replace utilities infrastructure Incorporate Green Spaces concept Organize dumpsters into shared spaces; fence off Enhance alley with pavers, planters and lighting Add art component; link with Arts District 19
Alleys can serve both pedestrian and vehicle traffic 20
Strategy IV: Elevate the Existing Downtown Destinations 21
Increase utility of the Farmers Market Site Central Arts District Move Heritage Park to Truck Museum site Move NYS statue to roundabout at Jacob and Main Streets Construct a multi-purpose pavilion Add lawn and trees (Village Green) around Chamber & Pavilion 22
Cluster destinations into thematic districts - The Museum District Beam Truck Museum Heritage Park Outdoor Museum Stroup Family Park Flexible Event Space - - Antique Car Show, Crafts Fair, etc. 23
Create an event venue for the Depot Gateway Park Downtown Gateway and Park Restaurant/cafe space/picnic area Specialty/local food market Food truck rodeos Family Reunions 24
Install attractive wayfinding and location signage 25
Strategy V: Create a City Commons Park Water features Splash pad Shade trees Tables and chairs Shelter(s) 26
Strategy VI: Create an Amenity Trail 27
Mark the trail with Cherryville branding icons 28
Strategy VII: Evaluate Parking Evaluate at each strategy stage of development Add parking to each City Gateway Create a net gain of 20+ parking spaces 29
Strategy VIII: Implement a Future Framework for Downtown Growth 30
Museum District Rail Trail Central Arts District Depot Gateway Park City Commons Park 31
STRATEGY / ELEMENTS PHASE COMMENTS TIME I. Improve the Main St Streetscape Utility Upgrades Streetscape Enhancements II. Leverage the Railroad Corridor Utility Upgrades Rail Trail Enhancement III. Create a Shared Alleyway for Pedestrians and Autos Utility Upgrades Alley Upgrades IV. Elevate Downtown Destinations Farmers Market Development Museum District Train Depot 1 1 2A 2A 2B 2B 3A 3A 3B Utility upgrades drive urgency in the schedule Use existing alleys to reroute traffic during construction Utility upgrades drive schedule urgency Initial trail extends from Mountain to Depot Streets Utility upgrades drive urgency in the schedule Proceed after Main Street is usable for Autos and Pedestrians Determine best use of Chamber Bldg Relocate Heritage Park with Farmers Market site development Alternative use of Depot is an option Year 1-2 Year 3 Year 3 Year 4 Year 4-5 V. Create a City Commons Park 4 Acquisition, design, funding, development Year 7-10 VI. Create an Amenity Trail 5 Each phase reviews impact/benefit to downtown parking Year 1-10 VII. Evaluate Parking ongoing Examine parking with each phase/project Year 1-10 VIII. Implement a Future Framework for Downtown Growth 6 Prepare for future growth and opportunity as needed over time Year 1-10 32
STRATEGY / ELEMENTS PHASE COST ESTIMATE/RANGE I. Improve the Main St Streetscape Utility Upgrades Streetscape Enhancements 1 1 $350,000 - $450,000 $750,000 - $850,000 II. Leverage the Railroad Corridor Utility Upgrades Rail Trail Enhancement III. Create Shared Alleyway Utility Upgrades Alley Upgrades IV. Elevate Downtown Destinations Farmers Market Development Museum District Train Depot 2A 2A 2B 2B 3A 3A 3B $100,000 - $125,000 $375,000 - $475,000 $100,000 - $125,000 $250,000 - $300,000 $225,000 - $325,000 $550,000 - $750,000 $225,000 - $325,000 V. Create a City Commons Park 4 $1,500,000 - $6,000,000 VI. Create an Amenity Trail 5 $2,500,000 - $3,500,000 VII. Evaluate Parking ongoing $1,300,000 - $1,400,000 VIII. Implement a Future Framework 6 $1,200,000 - $1,300,000 Total Estimated Cost Range $9,425,000 - $16,025,000 33
The Implementation Process : Each Phase requires detailed planning Master Plan Design Development and Schematics (optional) Construction Documents 9 months 4-6 months 6-8 months 12-24 months It will take ~18 months 6-12 months to begin Phase I and 24 additional months to 3-4 months complete it. 34
Qualitative Return on Investment Renewed infrastructure reliable for 40+ years High speed fiber optic cable to support 21 st century technology and businesses Renewed investment both in the Downtown and the Community Growth in businesses and residences Increased property values and tax base Increased activities for all ages A revitalized Historic Downtown one of NC s best places to live 35