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One big difference is that Asheville has more control over its downtown. For example, NC DOT controls Franklin St in Chapel Hill (and Main St. in Carrboro), which means it's difficult to do the kind of things—widening sidewalks, adding protected bike lanes, etc.—that allow for walkable communities.
Can you explain more? What do you mean by "NC DOT controls Franklin St?" In what way that is different from Asheville streets? I am new to NC so if there are city ordinances I would like to learn about them.
Also, what is stopping the growth of art galleries, theaters, unique shops and non-student-focused restaurants along Franklin/cross-streets and adjacent Rosemary?
One big difference is that Asheville has more control over its downtown. For example, NC DOT controls Franklin St in Chapel Hill (and Main St. in Carrboro), which means it's difficult to do the kind of things—widening sidewalks, adding protected bike lanes, etc.—that allow for walkable communities.
Broadway/Biltmore Ave in downtown Asheville is maintained by NCDOT
Also pre-COVID, Chapel Hill was working with a consultant to put protected bike lanes on Franklin St, not sure what happened with that project. My company is currently working with Carrboro on a road diet project on Main St between Weaver and Rosemary that will include bike lanes. So things are happening on that front.
Also, what is stopping the growth of art galleries, theaters, unique shops and non-student-focused restaurants along Franklin/cross-streets and adjacent Rosemary?
There isn't enough space, and aren't enough non-student customers, to make it worthwhile. Since half of the town's population are students, any restaurant that doesn't cater to them is limiting itself to a small slice of the market -- a big risk given that a restaurant space in Chapel Hill might cost $75,000/year in rent, and so probably needs to gross $1.3M or so; much easier doing that by feeding students frequently, rather than townies infrequently.
Columbia University enrolls about as many students as UNC-CH, but it doesn't dominate neighborhood retail to anywhere near the same extent because... Columbia is surrounded by high-rises filled with normal New Yorkers. UNC is surrounded by big houses owned by pharma executives commuting to RTP.
Also, what is stopping the growth of art galleries, theaters, unique shops and non-student-focused restaurants along Franklin/cross-streets and adjacent Rosemary?
Can you explain more? What do you mean by "NC DOT controls Franklin St?" In what way that is different from Asheville streets? I am new to NC so if there are city ordinances I would like to learn about them.
Also, what is stopping the growth of art galleries, theaters, unique shops and non-student-focused restaurants along Franklin/cross-streets and adjacent Rosemary?
North Carolina gives local governments limited power, particularly when compared to some states. This extends to major roads, which are maintained by the state. In order for Chapel Hill to add bike lanes, extend sidewalks, etc., on a DOT maintained road (or a road that impacts the DOT), they have to get permission. NC DOT, like almost every other DOT, is generally not supportive of efforts to make streets slower and safer.
While every city and town has some DOT-maintained roads, they usually have other streets nearby that can accommodate things like bike lanes, traffic calming, etc.
My sense that downtown Chapel Hill's problems are caused by a mixture of high rents, uncooperative building owners, and overly restrictive development rules due to the historic/neighborhood conservation districts.
North Carolina gives local governments limited power, particularly when compared to some states. This extends to major roads, which are maintained by the state. In order for Chapel Hill to add bike lanes, extend sidewalks, etc., on a DOT maintained road (or a road that impacts the DOT), they have to get permission. NC DOT, like almost every other DOT, is generally not supportive of efforts to make streets slower and safer.
While every city and town has some DOT-maintained roads, they usually have other streets nearby that can accommodate things like bike lanes, traffic calming, etc.
My sense that downtown Chapel Hill's problems are caused by a mixture of high rents, uncooperative building owners, and overly restrictive development rules due to the historic/neighborhood conservation districts.
You do know there are bike lanes on Rosemary and Cameron north and south of Franklin Street right?
You do know there are bike lanes on Rosemary and Cameron north and south of Franklin Street right?
Yes, but there should be bike lanes on all three streets, preferably protected bike lanes on Cameron and Franklin. If there were bike lanes on Franklin, downtown businesses would get more traffic.
Ok, my mistake. I was thinking that hippy dippy meant the latter.
Totally forgot about the earthy crunchy crowd.
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