Downtown Cary, the “Heart of Cary,” has long been a place where the community has come together for celebrations, a glimpse into the Town’s past, and a taste of urban living. Downtown Cary enjoys a character unique to the Triangle area. As the Heart of Cary continues to grow and change, ensuring it does so in a pedestrian-oriented and vibrant way while maintaining its unique character and charm was highlighted as a priority in the 2001 adopted Town Center Area Plan (TCAP). The Town has prepared this Downtown Cary Streetscape Master Plan to highlight the elements essential in creating a pedestrian-friendly environment where people can live, work, do business, and recreate.

Cary adopted the Town Center Area Plan in 2001, staging a vision to make the Town center a unique, vibrant, pedestrian-friendly location — a regional destination and a place to live, work, and play. The TCAP focuses on multi-level, mixed-use buildings to make sure the downtown will include an exciting mix of shops, restaurants, entertainment, housing, and offices.

The TCAP was a catalyst for additional downtown-oriented plans and studies, some of which are adopted and others that are ongoing. All of these documents can be found on the Town’s website and include the TCAP Design Guidelines Manual (adopted), Community Appearance Manual (adopted), Public Art Master Plan (adopted), Town Center Civic and Cultural Arts District Study (adopted), and Picture Downtown Cary (ongoing).

Downtown Cary Streetscape Master Plan

To address the vision identified in the TCAP, the Town prepared this master plan to guide future streetscape improvements. The Downtown Cary Streetscape Master Plan honors the TCAP’s vision while providing specific guidance for Cary’s streets and streetscapes. The planning process essential to the development of the master plan took close to one year. Extensive interaction with Town staff — including a walking tour of the downtown Durham streetscape project currently under construction — was key in the development of the plan. Significant contributions were made by downtown stakeholders who participated in a “pin-up” session in September 2005, in addition to an April 2006 community-wide open house in which participants viewed illustrations depicting proposed streetscape changes and expressed opinions on a series of alternatives. Following the open house in April, the streetscape illustrations and renderings were displayed on the Town’s project website as well as in the lobby of Town Hall, along with comment cards.

Orientation and Framework

What is a Streetscape Master Plan?

The Downtown Cary Streetscape Master Plan covers 2 square-miles in the heart of Cary (see the Orientation Map). It is a policy document that establishes the Town’s official vision and recommendations for future landscape and construction improvements to streets and sidewalks in the area. The Downtown Cary Streetscape Master Plan will update the Town’s 2001 Town Center Area Plan and complements the Public Arts Master Plan and the Town Center Civic and Cultural Arts study.

The Master Plan contained in this document addresses:

- Overall Plan Vision – including the plan’s guiding principles and the overall design concept

- Transportation – roads, transit, pedestrian, and bicycle facilities

- Public Art – including opportunities to integrate art into the design of streetscape elements

- Implementation Recommendations – Identification of project phasing, enhancement levels and current cost of each element’s level of enhancement

“Streetscape” encompasses all of the physical elements encountered by pedestrians, such as the street and sidewalk. Features include:

- Sidewalks and crosswalks

- Street design including lane width and surface treatments

- Lighting

- Street trees and grates

- Public art

- Street furniture, including benches and trash receptacles

- Signage

- On-street parking

- Bus stops

The Orientation Map introduces new terms for the purpose of this plan, with “A”, “B”, and “C” streets depicted in color on the map. “A” streets are high-priority segments where Cary is considering spending Town funds to build recommended streetscapes. This plan establishes “B” and “C” streets with a higher level of streetscape enhancement than previously existed, with implementation to occur by property owners, parcel by parcel, as redevelopment occurs.

The Downtown Streetscape Master Plan is a Policy Document

This plan is not an ordinance or zoning regulation. The plan itself does not change the zoning of property, and it is not a development proposal for a specific project. Rather, this plan is an official policy document used to guide the streetscape aspects of future Town development regulations, development policies, public infrastructure improvements, and the Town’s evaluations of future development proposals. The plan also provides development guidance to landowners, citizens, and developers in the Downtown Area.

Plan Vision and Guiding Principles

The following Guiding Principles and Vision Statement are based on citizen input and were formulated during the public involvement process for this plan as well as others including the Town Center Area Plan, Design Guidelines Manual, and the Public Art Master Plan (all adopted in 2001). They are the foundation upon which the Downtown Cary Streetscape Master Plan has been developed. These principles can also provide guidance in interpreting the recommendations of this plan.

Guiding Principle: Establish Pedestrian Orientation

Vision Statement: Crosswalk widths and surface materials should use distinctive designs to help establish the pedestrian-oriented nature of the area. To the extent possible, all streets should have street trees. Build gateway features to indicate to motorists when they enter the downtown. Redesign streets with narrower widths to naturally calm traffic and ease pedestrian crossings.

Guiding Principle: Provide Wide Sidewalks

Vision Statement: Sidewalks in downtown Cary should be wide enough to support a high volume of pedestrian traffic and perhaps the occasional sidewalk café in certain blocks.

Guiding Principle: Streetscape Elements Should Look Consistent and Distinctive

Vision Statement: Sidewalks, street lamps, traffic signals, street trees, public signage, benches, and trash receptacles throughout downtown should have a consistent “look” and should be substantially distinctive to establish a unique and positive identity.

Guiding Principle: Facilitate Continued Private Reinvestments

Vision Statement: “Prime the pump” with strategic public investments designed to spur continued reinvestment into private properties. Parking should be provided on-street or in parking decks situated within the interior of blocks so as not to consume street frontage. Alternatively, provide limited on-site surface parking tucked behind the buildings facing the street.

Guiding Principle: Incorporate Public Art

Vision Statement: Public art should be incorporated into the specific streetscape elements such as benches, trash receptacles, wayfinding signs, and pavers. This will provide an added dimension to the established pattern of separate and distinct public art that now exists in downtown Cary.

Guiding Principles: Ensure Public Involvement, Protect Property Rights

Vision Statement: Citizen involvement was fundamental to the development of the Downtown Cary Streetscape Master Plan. Comments and feedback from residents and landowners were taken seriously. This resulted in a true sense of ownership by those who participated. Following adoption of the plan, the Town of Cary expects to have an on-going dialogue with citizens of the downtown area about streetscape improvements. This dialogue began mid-2005 with early notification and input concerning this upcoming master plan process, as well as discussion of proposed changes in public street rights-of-way.

Community Benefits

Communities that invest public funds into streetscape projects typically see a financial return over time. In recent years, many of Cary’s neighbors, including Durham and Raleigh, have embraced this approach, and are currently undertaking major facelifts of their downtowns. Streetscape investments bring a number of tangible benefits to citizens. At the most basic level, they are an indicator of civic pride and help transform the downtown into an attractive public amenity for all to enjoy. Secondly, these improvements lead to increases in the overall tax base by stimulating sales for existing businesses, helping to attract new investment to the improved area, and ultimately by increasing property values.

These benefits do not accrue without the willingness of the private sector to respond to the public sector’s investment. For this reason, Downtown Cary Streetscape Master Plan is organized around the concept of shared public-private investment in streetscape projects throughout the Town Center area. Streets are prioritized between “A” streets and “B” and “C” streets. “A” streets are those that have been prioritized by the Town as most appropriate for early investment of public funds.

“A” street designation is proposed for the following street segments:

- East and West Chatham Streets between Durham Road on the east and Old Apex Road on the west

-North and South Academy Street between Chapel Hill Road on the north and Dry Avenue on the south

- North Harrison Avenue between Chapel Hill Road on the north and Chatham Street on the south

- Dry Avenue between Walnut Street/Kildaire Farm Road and South Academy Street

Gateways — or prominent entranceways that make use of landscaping, public art, and community signage — help orient visitors to the environment. Modern roundabouts are proposed for some gateway locations into the Town Center area. Roundabouts will mark the entrance to downtown and will help communicate to motorists that they are entering a slower speed environment.

Gateways are proposed at the following locations:

- South Gateway: Dry Avenue/Walnut Street/Kildaire Farm Road (proposed one-lane modern roundabout)

- East Gateway: East Chatham Street/Durham Road (proposed one-lane modern roundabout with one-lane approaches on all roads)

-West Gateway: West Chatham Street/Old Apex Road (proposed one-lane modern roundabout with one-lane approaches on all roads)

-North Gateway: North Harrison Avenue/Chapel Hill Road (proposed conventional four-legged signalized intersection with decorative pavers to indicate gateway)

Streetscape improvements also can be an avenue to creating a brand identity for downtown Cary. This is accomplished through seemingly opposing values: uniqueness and consistency. Uniqueness in streetscape design means planning for elements that set Cary apart from other communities. This plan integrates public art opportunities directly into streetscape elements, thereby providing uniqueness. The downtown streetscape plan provides an opportunity for public art to permeate the overall streetscape design including lighting, benches, bus shelters, signage, trash receptacles, paving materials, and sidewalks. Consistency in a streetscape plan is also necessary to reinforce the “brand identity” of the Town. Installation of the recommended streetscape elements will provide that sense of consistency along “A” streets, where public investment is driving improvements. The adoption of streetscape standards will promote consistency between public investments and those made by the private sector. This plan recommends that the Town set certain standards for the streetscape improvements to be made by developers and property owners along “B” and “C” streets in the Town center area. These streets intersect with “A” streets and contribute to the downtown experience. While labeling streets “A”, “B” or “C” indicates prioritization based on availability of public funds, in reality, streetscape improvements along short sections of “B” and “C” streets may occur before the Town completes an “A” street project.

Public input has been a prominent component of this master planning process. Two public workshops were held: one at the Page-Walker Hotel with downtown merchants, and another at the historic Cary Elementary School. The purpose of the workshops was to allow participants to express their opinions regarding a number of alternative designs and to provide feedback to the consultants and staff regarding the illustrations. Both sessions included informative displays that illustrated key ideas and concepts developed by the consultants in concert with town staff. Workshop participants were asked to choose between alternative streetscape elements. The comments provided by participants were nearly all supportive of this type of investment for downtown Cary. This summary report shows the many choices offered and it includes the consultant's recommendations.

Coordination of public and private initiatives can create a synergy that will jump-start economic investment in areas targeted for streetscape improvements. This is also true of coordination between multiple public initiatives. This plan aimed to take advantage of these potential benefits by coordinating planning efforts between the streetscape master plan and the well-publicized Town Center Civic and Cultural Arts Study. Both plans seek to create a foundation for the future economic vitality of the Town Center area. Additionally, the streetscape master plan recommendations seek to advance the ideas and vision put forth in adopted plans for the Town Center Park, the Town Center Area Plan, and the Comprehensive Plan. The streetscape master plan marks the implementation tipping point, where extensive planning and outreach efforts move into implementation and coordination.

Other cities across North Carolina are beginning to reap the benefits of streetscape investments. Charlotte, Greensboro, and Asheville have invested in streetscapes, including Trade and Tryon Streets in Charlotte; College Street and Patton Avenue in Asheville; and Spring Garden Street, Martin Luther King Jr., Drive and East Market Streets in Greensboro. Locally, Durham and Raleigh are in the process of well-publicized downtown makeovers. Smaller cities also are investing in streetscapes, including Fayetteville, Wilson, Greenville, Rocky Mount, and Wilmington. Learning about their experiences may provide insight into potential outcomes in Cary.

Streetscape Design Guidelines

The following are guidelines for various art and streetscape design elements. These are reflected throughout the Master Plan.

- Priority elements for public art integration with streetscape design are benches, tree guards, trash receptacles, lighting, bus shelters, pavers, sidewalks, crosswalks, signs, and gateways.

- Posted and design speeds for the “A” streets in the study corridor are 25 MPH.

- Travel lanes should be 11 feet in width, and the middle/left turn lanes should be 10 feet in width with textured paving.

- Curb radii should be 25 feet maximum, 15 feet minimum unless accommodating frequently turning buses or large trucks.

- On-street parking stalls 22 feet in length and 7 feet in width as measured from the face of (outside) curb. On-street parking shall be indicated by textured paving.

- Established standards for sidewalk widths have been set at 10 feet minimum, and 16 feet preferred. Exceptions include East Chatham Street from Templeton Street to the roundabout at East Durham Avenue, and one block of West Chatham Street to the roundabout at Old Apex Road, where the sidewalk is 6 feet wide.

- Corner “bulb-outs” are to be installed in those locations shown on the attached plan sheets.

- Raised intersections and crosswalks, medians, and textured paving are to be installed in those locations shown on the attached plan sheets (pending review and approval by NCDOT). The typical design for raised elements is based on the 10 foot ramp, 6 inches high, defined by 1-foot header curbs.

- Curb sections will consist of a modified “urban curb” design incorporating a 12-inch gutter pan and 12-inch curb return (top of curb as measured from the face of curb to back of curb), and a 6-inch vertical curb face.

- Drainage structures will incorporate a “moderate flow” design to minimize hazard to pedestrians and bicyclists.

- Street tree installations shall be fully irrigated and spaced 50 to 60 feet on center (as measured along the face of curb). Setbacks from the face of curb to the face of tree shall measure a minimum of 3 feet. Typical tree pits will be 6 feet by 8 feet and 6 feet by 12 feet on part of South Academy Street, as shown on the plan.

- Bike lanes are proposed on North Harrison Avenue, consistent with the Town Center Area Plan.

Streetscape Elements

Materials and Wayfinding

Travel Lanes

Width – Consistent use of 11-foot wide lane

Surface material – Standard asphalt

Left-Turn Lanes and Parking Lanes (On-Street)

Width – Consider 10-foot wide lanes, 11 feet where necessary

Surface material – Vehicular-rated brick pavers on concrete base with a cobblestone pattern

Colors – Mix of beige, gray, and charcoal

Roundabouts (in the travelway)

Width and Lane Markings – follow Federal guidelines

Surface Material - Imprinted colored concrete with unique art design

“A” Street Intersections

Lane Arrangements – See “A” Street plan sheets

Elevated Intersection – Raised to elevation of sidewalks at a few key intersections

Surface material – Imprinted colored concrete with unique art design (see “A” Street plan sheets)

Crosswalks

Width – Minimum 10 feet

Surface Material – Vehicular-rated brick pavers in a herringbone pattern infill with 1-foot wide band on both sides; color and finish of the bands to match concrete street Urban Modified Curb (UMC) (see “A” Street plan sheets)

Street Curb

Type – Cast-in-place concrete (UMC).

Sidewalks

Surface – Herringbone pattern with mixed color blend of red and brown brick pavers for the infill, Pine Hall Brick “English Edge”; dark red color with iron spots brick pavers, Pine Hall Brick “English Edge”- Ironspot for the soldier course on both edges

Truncated Dome Pavers – Dark red color, behind the curb

Crosswalk Landings and ADA Ramps – Same brick pattern as in the sidewalks

Streetscape Elements

Recommended Street Furniture

The following recommended streetscape elements are selected to display a potential character of functionality and design intent. The specific manufacturer or product name could vary.

Street Light

35’ high street light pole – galvanized metal, painted black with “Teardrop” black fixture by Progress Energy.

Pedestrian Light

16’ high black decorative aluminum, style V post with “Mitchel” twin bracket fixture. The light poles are designed to accommodate 18” x 3’ banners.

Bollard

35” high metal Salem bollards by Ironsmith, painted black.

Bus Shelter

Manufacturer – Columbia Equipment, color – black, options – different roof configuration, bus route and schedule panel, bench and name of stop to shelter roof on side wall.

Bench

Metal, 6’ wide by Victor Stanley, Steel Sites RB series, color – black, with decorative logo plaque added to the end of bench.

Trash Receptacle

Metal, black by Victor Stanley.

Tree Guard

Ironsites series, metal, black, by Victor Stanley.

Paver-Grate Suspension System

For areas with existing building and narrow sidewalk width to maximize walking surface, the Paver-Grate system allows for the placement of pavers directly over the planting area, manufactured by Ironsmith.

Bike Rack

Type – Manufactured by Cycle-Safe System, classic U/2, color black.

Directory Signs

Manufactured by Ad Vice Signs, custom designed.

Street Signs

Decorative 4” OD aluminum pole with finial, 9” x 36” street signs and traffic signs with street sign trim, pole finial, sign trim painted black, manufactured by Brandon Industries.

Planter Bowls, Pots & Urn

Manufactured by Classic Garden Ornaments, interlock concrete products and long shadow planters.

Levels of Streetscape Enhancement

At the April 26 Public Workshop held in Old Cary Elementary School, citizens were asked to indicate their preferences for the Levels of Streetscape Enhancement (see image 1 and image 2). These preferences served as the basis for this plan’s recommendations.

Streetscape Elements

Street Tree Recommendations

- For the “Heart of Cary” one block in each way from the intersection of Academy and Chatham Street – Princeton Sentry Ginko

- Town Square – Hightower Willow Oak

- North Academy Street – Chinese Pistache Trees in addition with already planted Pistache Trees along Town campus

- South Academy Street – Preserve the Crape Myrtles, selectively replacing with new single Stem trees and new spacing

- East Chatham Street (from Walker Street to the roundabout at East Durham Street) – Alley Lacebark Elm

- West Chatham Street (from Harrison Avenue to the roundabout at Old Apex Road) – Bosque Lacebark Elm

- Roundabout at West Chatham Street/Old Apex Road – European Hornbeam trees on the west side Bowhall Maple trees on the east side

- Roundabout at East Chatham Street/East Durham Avenue – European Hornbeam trees on the west side and Bowhall Maple trees on the east side

- Harrison Avenue – Highpoint Nuttall Oak

Public Art Opportunities

The Town’s Public Art Advisory Board recommends that the Downtown Cary Streetscape Master Plan be viewed as an opportunity for public art to be integrated and permeate the overall design of the streetscapes. The Public Art Master Plan specifically identifies the Town Center as an important focus area for public art. Infrastructure development and the design should be guided by the principals of public art as identified in the Public Art Master Plan and be stylistically cohesive. Specific ideas will be developed later, once artists have been engaged in the process.

The Public Art Advisory Board identified the following priority areas:

Street Furniture – Benches, tree guards, trash cans, lighting, and bus shelters

Traffic Management – Paving (crosswalks) and sidewalks

Signage – Gateways and way finding elements

The images shown on page 19 were presented to the public as opportunities to add public art into the streetscape design.

Public Outreach

As part of the planning process, a session with business owners was held Sept. 23, 2005 where streetscape design concepts and options were illustrated. Additional public input on the Cary Streetscape Master Plan was obtained at a workshop held April 26, 2006. At this workshop, plan sheets illustrating initial streetscape designs were presented for public review and comment.

These sessions helped identify the public’s emphasis on several issues, including the location and extent of on-street parking, sidewalk widths, the inclusion of traffic calming measures and the location and treatment of driveways relative to private property access. Participants provided comments by writing on “Post-it-notes”©, and later offered verbal and other written observations as well.

Nine display boards showed proposed special features, materials, a street tree palette, and levels of streetscape enhancements. Also featured were detailed plan sheets for “A” streets, as well as a “B” and “C” streets area improvements map. To determine which enhancements were most acceptable, participants also voted for their preferred levels of streetscape enhancements.

Throughout the project, the Town has maintained a project status page on the Town’s Web site.

Public Comments

As part of the planning process, a business-owners pin-up session was held on Sept. 23, 2005 by the Town to obtain public input on the Cary Streetscape Master Plan. At the initial meeting, plan sheets illustrating potential initial streetscape designs were presented for public review and comment. This workshop helped identify the public’s emphasis on several issues, including the location and extent of on-street parking, sidewalk widths, the inclusion of traffic calming measures, and the location and treatment of driveways relative to private property access. Participants provided comments by writing directly on the plan sheets, and later offered verbal and other written comments as well.

A public meeting was held on April 26, 2006. Nine display boards showed proposed special features, materials, a street tree palette, and levels of streetscape enhancements. Also featured were detailed plan sheets for A Streets as well as a B and C Streets Area Improvements Map. Public meeting participants identified comments on “Post-it-Notes” © notes and attached them to each display board as they reviewed them. To determine which enhancements were most acceptable, participants also voted for their preferred levels of streetscape enhancements.

Citizen’s also had the opportunity to write their thoughts on comment cards.

Comment Card Feedback from Citizen’s at Public Meeting

General Positive Feedback (Themes/Design/Implementation, etc.)

- “Plan appears to be well thought out. Let’s go first class; it will pay dividends. Enough talk has taken place. Fund Phase I and let’s go.”

- “Clearly enormous efforts have been made and I respect that.”

- “Plan looks great.”

- “Everything very nice! Beautiful sidewalk plans.”

- “This is a good first step – I like the themes for streetscapes – Will define character of downtown well.”

- “I liked the overall plan – the revised area around Old Cary Elementary, the roundabouts and circles & monuments marking the old area of Cary.

- “The brick paver used looks very “NC”.”

- “We applaud your effort to save most of the remaining historical structures and existing old trees.”

- “The plan looks good. I am anxious to see the improvements go into effect, especially the sidewalk improvements and widening.”

- “The draft plan is excellent. I look forward to its implementation.”

- “Streetscapes look great!”

- “Overall I like the concept.”

General Concerns (Themes/Design/Implementation, etc.)

- “All accessories – lights, signs, benches should coordinate. Historic benches in historic area, trash receptacles, etc. coordinate. Other areas can be different but must coordinate.”

- “Maybe the people who are effected should have been personally contacted to at least warn them that their property may be affected.”

- “I am not sold on the individual districts downtown such as a technology area or historic area. That just isn’t the way I perceive downtown. It seems more cohesive to me than that.”

- “Implementation!!! Hope we can get this actually happening!”

- “It isn’t clear what parts of this are draft and what’s already set.”

- “The downtown needs to be considered as a whole, not a group of quadrants with nonsensical names like “families” and sports. Similarly, infrastructure should be approached as a whole, with an artist or artistic team included in planning, so we won’t have street furniture, signage and the like that don’t relate to each other (as the examples showed).”

- “I do not see the connection for the “Technology” sector. Is there a plan for making this connection?”

Design

- “I love the idea of developing the area, but hope there is someone put on the planning group early on to give the design elements a coherent feel. Everything looks very cold and disjointed, which does not reflect Cary at all.”

- “Creative walkways (not necessarily straight, regular patterned) within a “Town Square” area can be visually interesting and allow people to congregate.”

- “The designs for downtown are too slick, upscale, instead of comfortable, serene, familiar and relate back to a small Southern town atmosphere. The Academy Street plan puts too much diversity, usual cacophony in relatively small space. 1st rule of Art; Don’t try to say it all in one piece. Goal for comfort is to make one feel so at home persons will stay longer downtown. Do not see how roundabout designs related to small Southern town. Warmth is definitely lacking and it will end up as cold as the new Town Hall and perhaps that is the real goal to make it fit with that edifice.”

- “Many of the materials examples seem to be too generic for Cary. We need to have distinct streetscape features that communicate our special character. Bringing artists into the design process would provide an enormous ‘bang for the buck.’ In some communities, artists have designed features that brought enormous cost savings to the overall project budgets. Ideally, artists could be involved in all of the streetscape opportunities. If that isn’t possible, it would be important to have artists design certain key components such as benches which would dramatically impact the feel of downtown.”

- “The sidewalk design should not cause safety concerns for women walking in heels.”

- “There is insufficient detail above the sidewalks. Will there be a design or pattern for them.”

Art/Sculpture

- “Enough of the kid sculpture – we can’t afford world class sculpture but not catalogue sculpture. If we had the money a few pieces like David Smith or Louise Bosuaua.”

- “Very quickly, the artists need and must have a place to exhibit (not in hallways) in a large open area.”

- “I’m very upbeat about art opportunities.”

- “I liked the sculpture park.”

- “Include Public Art & Artists please! We don’t have the opportunity to design our streetscape often.”

- “There should be artwork (possibly natural) in the roundabouts.”

Transportation

- “Nice to see covered bus stops. Current signs are too hard to see.”

- “Please have lots of bike racks. So many cycling groups would route their rides through downtown for rest stops (and patronize local business). Also for car-less errands.”

- “I do have some concerns about traffic issues at “roundabouts” but will be open to the plan.”

- “Access to parking when approaching from the west appears to be very awkward (having to traverse all of downtown).”

- “The plan ignores Cary’s significant growth to the West; the parking garage proposed is almost impossible to access from the west since the street plan forces you to come around and approach it from the east.”

- “Medians in Chatham and Academy Streets will cause problems for the Cary Christmas parade.”

- “While consideration to bicycle traffic has been made on the streets, it is not clear the same consideration has been made in the roundabouts.”

Plants/Trees

- “We need to make every effort to plant native trees and flora.”

- “I like the idea of using native plants.”

- “The trees are nice in Spring and summer but also a lot of maintenance. Make sure the number of trees and size of trees can be maintained.”

Other

- “Would like to see Town Hall Campus Gateway integrated. Would love to see a second matching Town Square at Town Hall Campus end maybe adjacent to Herb Young Community Center.”

- “What happened to the Waldo Rood house?”

- “We really need a park or central activity area soon in order to draw others to downtown and encourage property owners to improve. The area is deteriorating quickly.”

- “[Streetscapes look great] But the Town of Cary is doing everything they can to kick out the lower middle class and make way for the elite. Don’t forget that hard working people invested a lot to make the move to Cary for the potential it has and what it offers already.”

- “I would also hope that some sort of wireless data network is being planned. Having the opportunity to sit in a park (after getting an early dinner) waiting for a concert or recital to start would be great! Or catching up on work while waiting for children who are in plays, classes or whatever.”

Street Improvements

“A” Streets

“B” and “C” Streets

Perspective Sketches

Intersection of Chatham and Academy Streets

This sketch shows the redesigned elevated intersection of Academy and Chatham Streets. The pedestrian way is differentiated from the street edge by using pots filled with greenery, as well as classic bollards design to match the style of newly installed traffic arm posts. A new Town of Cary logo is incorporated into the colored pavement. The prevailing feel of walking in a plaza is reinforced through elevated crosswalks to slow traffic while promoting pedestrian safety. Suggestions for a second story of the corner building provide the signature building with notable architectural detail. Decorative shelter walls, seating, and planters filled with colorful vegetation at the bus stop give people a fresh sense of natural beauty in the area. Attractive light poles with banners reinforce the view to one of the area’s focal points, the historic Cary Elementary School.

Town Square

Creating a Town Square provides a public destination where the community can gather and celebrate together. In addition to opening views of the historic Cary Elementary School, the Town Square displayed in this sketch includes a fountain, as well as paths, trees, and areas for relaxation. Narrow one-way streets are illustrated on all four sides of the Town Square. Designed for slow traffic, these streets offer on-street parking spaces to enjoy the Town Square, library, or the proposed Cary Center for the Arts. A new building north of the square provides a sense of enclosure, emphasizing the space as a public outdoor room. Pedestrians can move safely from one side of the street to the other on new crosswalks, while historic buildings retain their prominence and established architecture.

Gateway: Roundabout

As a gateway to the heart of downtown, this roundabout is designed to emphasize public art with a monument serving as the facility’s focal point. Traveling through the roundabout, a driver will notice the emphasis of the art in the circle, enhanced by the surrounding decorative walls and colorful landscape. A ring of trees reinforces the feeling of entering a roundabout plaza while pedestrian lights and banners announce the beginning of the downtown core. Distinctive pavement in the circle reinforces the image of an artistic and planned gateway to a special place.

Phasing Recommendations

Purpose

The purpose for recommending phasing is to provide a rational approach to the sequence of events that will ultimately lead to completion of streetscape construction.

Scope

The Town of Cary has organized the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan by differentiating the following as “A” Streets (indicating potential funding using Town funds): Academy Street, Chatham Street, and North Harrison Avenue.

Criteria

Municipally-funded streetscape improvements are typically built in stages, block-by-block. This is generally preferred over an all-at-once area-wide approach. The block-by-block approach is particularly appropriate in business districts where some customers tend to avoid the construction zone, a practice that impacts the livelihood of business owners and their employees. While orange barrels and traffic detours are to be expected during construction, it is imperative that reasonably convenient and safe pedestrian access routes to all businesses and organizations be maintained at all times during construction. This is the first criteria used in developing a phasing plan. The criteria are listed below:

1. Maintain reasonably convenient and safe pedestrian access to all establishments during construction.

2. Provide reasonably convenient and safe detour routes for vehicular traffic.

3. Coordinate with schedules for compatible utility upgrades.

4. Coordinate with schedules for compatible improvements to adjacent private and public properties.

5. Consider streetscape investments as key catalysts for some private investments that otherwise would have been delayed by property owners.

6. Account for project phases requiring more advance planning and permitting; such as coordination issues with NCDOT and the United States Postal Service.

7. Advance projects that require less right-of-way early in the phasing.

8. Time the construction to minimize disruption to major community events.

9. Take advantage of the availability of grant funds including federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG).

Recommendations

Using the criteria listed above for the “A” Streets, Urban Resource Group offers the following phasing recommendations for the Downtown Cary Streetscape Improvements.

Phase 1 – Chatham Street (2 blocks)

Section: just east of N. Harrison Avenue to and including the intersection with Walker Street Length = 1,400 feet.

Key Advantages: Positive impact to existing merchants, serving as a catalyst for development and redevelopment opportunities. Furthermore, funds are available through CDBG and Town façade grants.

Issues:

1. Obtain NCDOT approval for changes to Chatham Street to do the following:

a. elevate (raised) intersection to match sidewalk elevations

b. elevate (raised) mid-block pedestrian crossings

c. install raised-curb median island to calm traffic and create pedestrian refuge at each mid-block crossing

d. use pavers in the left-turn lanes instead of asphalt

e. use 10-foot wide left-turn lanes

f. add bulb-outs to shadow on-street parking and narrow pedestrian crossing distances

g. increase supply of on-street parking

h. add new bus stops and pull-out areas

i. placement of street trees between sidewalk and street

2. Time required to acquire small amounts of private property in various locations where the existing right-of-way is irregularly shaped.

Detour Routes:

North-South Routes: Harrison Avenue, Academy Street, Walker Street,

East-West Routes: Park Street, Cedar Street, Chapel Hill Road / Durham Road

Phase 2a – South Academy Street

Note: combine with Phase 2b if issues can be resolved early enough

Section: just north of Chatham Street to just north of Park Street. Length = 850 feet

Key Advantages: Improves the heart of the “Heart of Cary” – the “100% corner”

Issues:

1. Extra time to obtain US Government approval (U.S. Postal Service) for changes to the mailbox drop-off lane (shift from Academy Street to Waldo Street)

2. Extra time to convert about 250 foot-long section of Waldo Street to two-way traffic operations between Walker Street and the Post Office parking lot

Detour Routes:

North-South Routes: Harrison Avenue, Walker Street

East-West Routes: Durham Road / Chapel Hill Road, Cedar Street, Park Street

Phase 2b – South Academy Street

Section: just north of Park Street to and including the intersection with Dry Avenue plus Dry Avenue from South Academy Street to and including the roundabout at Walnut Street / Kildaire Farm Road. Total length = 1,250 feet.

Key Advantages: Catalyst for proposed large-scale community building / design improvements at the “Town Square”.

Issues:

1. Extra time required to bury utilities on Dry Avenue

2. Extra time required to coordinate with large-scale building project (s)

3. Extra time required to acquire 3 properties on east side of South Academy Street to facilitate the “Town Square” and a small amount (about 300 square feet) of private property on the northeast corner of Walnut / Kildaire Farm intersection

4. ID acceptable access route (s) to Public Library (there is no back access)

Detour Routes:

North-South Routes: Harrison Avenue, Walker Street,

East-West Routes: Park Street, Shirley Drive

Phase 3 – West Chatham Street

Section: just east of Harrison Street to and including roundabout at Old Apex Road, Length = 2,300 feet.

Key Advantages: Establishes western gateway and calms traffic entering downtown. Catalyst for character transformation from suburban to urban. Wider street facilitates flexible approach to traffic maintenance during construction.

Issues:

1. Extra time to obtain NCDOT approval for changes to West Chatham Street to do the following:

a. build modern roundabout

b. reduce posted speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph

c. reduce number of through lanes from four to two (consider pilot project to re-stripe & restrict curb lanes for parking during off-peak periods

d. elevate (raised) intersections at Dixon and at West to match sidewalk elevations

e. elevate (raised) mid-block pedestrian crossings

f. elevate (raised) install raised-curb median island to calm traffic and create pedestrian refuge at each mid-block crossing

g. use pavers in the left-turn lanes instead of asphalt

h. use 10-foot wide left-turn lanes