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 September 30, 2020, and staff proposed to have the streets re-open on November 9, 2020.
§ The next steps include working with businesses, residents, and stakeholders along the corridor to reimagine the future of Tryon Street as a more pedestrian-friendly space.
Attachments
Attachment(s)
Tryon Street Pilot Plaza Report