Understanding Downtown
Some of the grant funding received was designated for developing shovel-ready plans to help direct projects and design. Two plans were developed with this goal in mind. The first was a Downtown Carthage Parking and Mobility Study to help our community understand the many ways in which pedestrians and drivers alike move through and around downtown. This study brings a much-needed understanding of our parking inventory, existing conditions and recommendations to improve on what we already have or build what we need.
Creating a Vision
The second plan focuses on designing a downtown that is attractive and functional. With NC Hwy. 24-27, considered a super load road, runs through the middle of downtown and pedestrians often feel unsafe crossing the road or utilizing downtown except when they have to. With so much new investment downtown with the opening of new businesses and County government facilities, it is important to ensure that visitors are able to safely move around the area while shopping, dining and utilizing other services. To do this, Carthage staff coordinated with Koontz Jones Design to help develop a Master Plan that encompasses these important goals.