Elements of the Conceptual Master Plan
“I am excited about the possibilites of the downtown revitalization plan. This council is very aware that changes made at this time are going to affect the city for years to come and we welcome and expect input from the public and business owners during this development phase. It is our belief through the review, fine tuning and implementation of the plan, we will create an environment making Travelers Rest and our downtown area a destination for area residents, business owners and visitors.“
Grant Bumgarner
Travelers Rest City Council
Travelers Rest
• Creating Points of Interest – There should be destinations throughout
the downtown area to which people will walk. This can be achieved through green
space, public art, water features, or other amenities. It is critical that wider
sidewalks be constructed to create a safer pedestrian space.
•
Branding Concepts – It is important to have a recognizable and consistent
logo to “brand” the city. In August 2007 the city completed a
branding and marketing concept and a plan for developing “wayfinder” signage.
Signs will direct visitors to the downtown, as well as features and amenities
in the downtown and other points of interest throughout the city. Click here to view a PowerPoint presentation prepared by the firm responsible for the new branding concepts.
•
Streetscape – The concept of this Master Plan is not to remove all traffic
from Main Street, but to alleviate the through traffic. Reducing the number of
lanes, combined with reducing the lane sizes themselves, will provide space for
on street parking, wider sidewalks, trees and decorative streetlights.
•
Buncombe Road Park – The intersection of Buncombe Road and Highway 276
is large enough to accommodate a greenspace, but is now surrounded by roads.
The realignment of Buncombe Road would open the space for development of a park
with perhaps a natural water feature. The Swamp Rabbit Tram/Trail would also
traverse this space and the park could accommodate parking on adjacent property
to serve as a trail access.
•
Infill and Redevelopment – Critical to the success of downtown is the establishment
of new businesses. The Master Plan identifies areas that are currently vacant
or prime for redevelopment. Particular emphasis is placed on the creation of
artists lofts (mixed use residential and commercial 2-story units) and the inducement
of restaurants and specialty retail establishments.