Downtown Streetscape

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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.

Ask us a question

Please ask any questions you may have about the project. We may add your question and the answer to our FAQ section. 

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  • Share What protection plan is in place to handle the expected loss of new tree plantings in the first 3 to 5 years after installation in these projects? on Facebook Share What protection plan is in place to handle the expected loss of new tree plantings in the first 3 to 5 years after installation in these projects? on Twitter Share What protection plan is in place to handle the expected loss of new tree plantings in the first 3 to 5 years after installation in these projects? on Linkedin Email What protection plan is in place to handle the expected loss of new tree plantings in the first 3 to 5 years after installation in these projects? link

    What protection plan is in place to handle the expected loss of new tree plantings in the first 3 to 5 years after installation in these projects?

    Chris asked 24 days ago

    Thanks for your question! A tree mitigation plan would be part of a future phase closer to implementation/construction. This design phase carefully considers elements like tree placement, soil volume, rooting space, and tree type to improve tree health and longevity. We also have explored what tree species have been successful in more urban environments, both in Chapel Hill and nearby cities.

Page last updated: 09 Nov 2024, 02:58 AM