The Town of Lillington Staff is extending an open invitation for all to attend the upcoming Downtown Redevelopment Community Meeting scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 5 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Lillington Town Hall located at 102 East Front Street in Lillington. 

At this meeting, the new plans for redevelopment coming to Downtown Lillington will be discussed and attendees will be free to ask questions and offer feedback. The community meeting will be open house style and attendees should feel free to drop in anytime between 4 and 6 p.m.

Lillington’s Administrative Services Director Alicia Gregory provided GFBJ with further details and background on this development plan. 

Gregory shared that efforts for redevelopment were kickstarted in March of 2019 when the Town was awarded a grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce to fund the development of a Downtown Master Plan. Staff then worked with a group of community members to create the Downtown Lillington Master Plan.  

“Currently, Downtown Lillington is consumed with tractor trailer traffic. The goal is to implement the 10th Street by-pass for truck traffic in order to create a pedestrian friendly Downtown. The main focus area is Front Street, 8th Street, and Harnett Street,” shared Gregory. “The most common issue in Downtown is parking. The plans are to construct a parking lot off of W. Harnett and installation of streetscapes. The streetscapes will utilize open space to create amenity zones, bump outs, seat walls, buffers and tree plantings, rooftop opportunities, and outdoor dining. Streetscape improvements will reduce travel lanes to allow for less and slower traffic to operate. Adjusted sidewalk widths will allow for more outdoor seating and dining. Angled parking where possible to increase the amount of parking. Tree and planting bulb-outs at intersection for pedestrian safety and increasing street tree usage.”

Gregory confirmed officials hope to begin construction by late 2023. 

Feedback provided by the community at the event will help mold strategies for future development, redevelopment, and revitalization projects in Downtown Lillington.