Downtown Streetscape

Share Downtown Streetscape on Facebook Share Downtown Streetscape on Twitter Share Downtown Streetscape on Linkedin Email Downtown Streetscape link


Participants review poster of downtown streets

We’re reimagining how streets, sidewalks, and gathering places in downtown Chapel Hill can be vibrant community spaces for everyone. Well-designed streets can make the community safer, help businesses grow, and make it easier to get around. We are currently in Phase 2, designing the Downtown Public-Right-of-Way Master Plan.

  • Phase 1: "Multimodal Mobility Study" concluded in Fall 2023. This phase focused on better distribution of transportation modes throughout our downtown street network.
  • Phase 2: "Downtown Public-Right-of-Way Master Plan” began in February 2024 and will continue through the end of 2024. This phase of the project is more detailed and includes street tree placements, material selection, and reimagining of our public gathering spaces.
  • Result: Blocking specific designs and renderings of all public right-of-way locations. This includes street allocations (car lanes, bike lanes), sidewalks, and gathering spaces like 140 West Plaza.

This project has used several rounds of public engagement, including in-person and virtual options. We’ve used several types of interactive engagement, including:

  • Downtown community walks
  • Stakeholder interest sessions
  • Forums
  • Open houses
All of these methods have used live feedback loops where community members can see the design teams changing ideas and concepts soon after getting feedback.


A consultant firm, Toole Design, was selected to assist with this work.


Participants review poster of downtown streets

We’re reimagining how streets, sidewalks, and gathering places in downtown Chapel Hill can be vibrant community spaces for everyone. Well-designed streets can make the community safer, help businesses grow, and make it easier to get around. We are currently in Phase 2, designing the Downtown Public-Right-of-Way Master Plan.

  • Phase 1: "Multimodal Mobility Study" concluded in Fall 2023. This phase focused on better distribution of transportation modes throughout our downtown street network.
  • Phase 2: "Downtown Public-Right-of-Way Master Plan” began in February 2024 and will continue through the end of 2024. This phase of the project is more detailed and includes street tree placements, material selection, and reimagining of our public gathering spaces.
  • Result: Blocking specific designs and renderings of all public right-of-way locations. This includes street allocations (car lanes, bike lanes), sidewalks, and gathering spaces like 140 West Plaza.

This project has used several rounds of public engagement, including in-person and virtual options. We’ve used several types of interactive engagement, including:

  • Downtown community walks
  • Stakeholder interest sessions
  • Forums
  • Open houses
All of these methods have used live feedback loops where community members can see the design teams changing ideas and concepts soon after getting feedback.


A consultant firm, Toole Design, was selected to assist with this work.

  • Downtown Wayfinding Signage Pilot: Let us know your thoughts!

    Share Downtown Wayfinding Signage Pilot: Let us know your thoughts! on Facebook Share Downtown Wayfinding Signage Pilot: Let us know your thoughts! on Twitter Share Downtown Wayfinding Signage Pilot: Let us know your thoughts! on Linkedin Email Downtown Wayfinding Signage Pilot: Let us know your thoughts! link

    As we work on future plans for the downtown streetscape, we’re also thinking about how we can help people navigate Downtown. This concept is called "wayfinding."

    We've installed temporary pedestrian signs and maps near the 125 E. Rosemary Parking Deck to test some initial navigation ideas. Please share your thoughts on the image below or any of the pilot signs you may have seen in person. Some questions to consider when sharing your thoughts:

    • Is it easy to read with the current colors?
    • Is the text and font clear?
    • Did the map of downtown help you get to your destination? If not, what would have been more helpful?
    • Have you seen other types of signs that would be helpful for getting around downtown?
    • Did you understand what the icons represent?

    loader image
    Forgot password?
    Didn't receive confirmation?
    Register Now
    Seems like you are already registered, please provide the password. Forgot your password? Create a new one now.
    Submitting your comment
    Cancel
    number of comments, image icon 0 comments

  • Downtown Wayfinding: View both concepts and share your feedback!

    Share Downtown Wayfinding: View both concepts and share your feedback! on Facebook Share Downtown Wayfinding: View both concepts and share your feedback! on Twitter Share Downtown Wayfinding: View both concepts and share your feedback! on Linkedin Email Downtown Wayfinding: View both concepts and share your feedback! link

    As we work on future plans for the downtown streetscape, we’re also thinking about how we can help people navigate Downtown. This concept is called "wayfinding."

    Concepts A and B show two different approaches to wayfinding and practical examples from other cities. For each of these concepts, share what you like, what you don’t like, and any general feedback on navigating downtown.


    loader image
    Forgot password?
    Didn't receive confirmation?
    Register Now
    Seems like you are already registered, please provide the password. Forgot your password? Create a new one now.
    Submitting your comment
    Cancel
    number of comments, image icon 1 comment

  • More Opportunities to Engage

    Share More Opportunities to Engage on Facebook Share More Opportunities to Engage on Twitter Share More Opportunities to Engage on Linkedin Email More Opportunities to Engage link
    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
    supporting image

    Community members can comment on the public space concepts on this page or visit the virtual whiteboard (External link) to comment on additional concepts and designs for streetscape.

  • Peace and Justice Plaza: View both concepts and share your feedback

    Share Peace and Justice Plaza: View both concepts and share your feedback on Facebook Share Peace and Justice Plaza: View both concepts and share your feedback on Twitter Share Peace and Justice Plaza: View both concepts and share your feedback on Linkedin Email Peace and Justice Plaza: View both concepts and share your feedback link
    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    This portion of the project is focused on gathering spaces.

    Please share for each of these concepts what you like, what you don’t like, and if you feel that something is missing.

    number of comments, image icon 7 comments

  • 140 West Plaza: View both concepts and share your feedback

    Share 140 West Plaza: View both concepts and share your feedback on Facebook Share 140 West Plaza: View both concepts and share your feedback on Twitter Share 140 West Plaza: View both concepts and share your feedback on Linkedin Email 140 West Plaza: View both concepts and share your feedback link
    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    This portion of the project is focused on gathering spaces.

    Please share for each of these concepts what you like, what you don’t like, and if you feel that something is missing.

    number of comments, image icon 3 comments

  • ITS Garden Concepts: View both concepts and share your feedback

    Share ITS Garden Concepts: View both concepts and share your feedback on Facebook Share ITS Garden Concepts: View both concepts and share your feedback on Twitter Share ITS Garden Concepts: View both concepts and share your feedback on Linkedin Email ITS Garden Concepts: View both concepts and share your feedback link
    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    This portion of the project is focused on gathering spaces.

    Please share for each of these concepts what you like, what you don’t like, and if you feel that something is missing.

    number of comments, image icon 2 comments
Page last updated: 09 Nov 2024, 02:58 AM