Title
Conclusion of Tryon Street Pilot Plaza
Action
Action:
Approve staff recommendation to conclude the Tryon Street Pilot Plaza and reopen Tryon Street between 3rd and 4th Streets effective November 10, 2020.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Taiwo Jaiyeoba, City Manager's Office
Explanation
* At the November 2, 2020 Council Strategy Session, staff discussed the conclusion of the Tryon Street Pilot Plaza, feedback from the public, and the plan to reopen the street.
* While the Black Lives Matter mural represents positive community collaboration, several businesses have expressed that the temporary street closure is impacting their operations and revenues.
* At the meeting, Council requested to vote on accepting staff's recommendation to re-open the street on November 9, 2020 or to postpose reopening the street to January 1, 2021.
* In support of the Survive and Thrive Program, staff recommends re-opening the portion of Tryon Street effective November 10, 2020.
* Staff will work with Center City Partners to explore the possibilities of increased programming of the corridor in the future, including occasional closures on certain weekends to pedestrian activities.
Background
* On June 9, 2020, the Black Lives Matter mural was commissioned by the city and installed by local artists on Tryon Street.
* This was in response to racial protests resulting from the death of George Floyd, an African American man, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
* Upon installation, many people began visiting the site, and the block of Tryon Street between 3rd and 4th Streets was subsequently temporarily closed to vehicular traffic on June 12, 2020.
* The temporary closure allowed the city a unique opportunity to create and evaluate a distinctive public space in Uptown.
* In order to evaluate the impact of the plaza, a data collection process was established to understand several qualitative and quantitative components of the street closure.
* The study period for the pilot concluded on Sept...
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