Elements of the Conceptual Master Plan
Travelers Rest
• Creating Points of Interest – Destinations have been created throughout
the downtown area through green space, public art, water features, and other amenities. It was critical for wider
sidewalks to 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.
•
Streetscape – The concept of this Master Plan was 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, provided space for
on street parking, wider sidewalks, trees and decorative streetlights.
•
Buncombe Road Park – The intersection of Buncombe Road and Highway 276
was large enough to accommodate a greenspace, but was surrounded by roads.
The realignment of Buncombe Road opened the space for development of a park
with a natural water feature. The GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail also
traverses this space and there is now 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.