The presentation comes almost seven months after the Walkable Communities Group worked with residents and officials during a weekend-long Vision 2020 workshop. A presentation was expected that same weekend in September but was postponed due to national tragedy.
The aldermen commissioned Dan Burden of Walkable Communities and economic development consultant Mike Luger of UNC to conduct research on the downtown district to determine ways of improving the area.
Tonight's work session is expected to be a summary of their downtown visions and economic studies. "We are trying to figure out how to make the downtown maintain its vibrancy and enhance the quality of life in Carrboro," Alderman Diana McDuffee said.
The research project is a result of the Downtown Vision Charrette, held by the Town of Carrboro in September 2001, and is a piece of the town's comprehensive Vision 2020 plan.
The Charrette was designed to receive community input and brainstorm ways to make downtown Carrboro more attractive and economically successful. Some of the changes suggested consisted of improvements like more mixed-use facilities.
The aldermen also have made doubling the commercial square footage in the downtown business district of Carrboro a priority for the Downtown Vision Project.
But there is some concern that the group's findings will not consider the town's budget, which could be tightened if Gov. Mike Easley decides to withhold $900 million from state municipalities. This action would translate to a loss of $299,284 for Carrboro.
McDuffee said the improvement proposals to be presented at the work session were created as if there were no monetary obstacles. For this reason, McDuffee said she believes many of the improvements would be excellent additions for the town but most likely are not feasible.
After the presentation, the aldermen will meet at the beginning of April to discuss which parts of the report to accept and implement in the downtown area.
