The Village of Pinehurst reviewed the Downtown Pinehurst Amenity Action Plan at the Aug. 9 work session.
Beth Powell with McAdams Company, a landscape architecture business, presented project recommendations for downtown.
Powell recommended five changes to solve the problem with underused parking lots, which increase traffic issues on Dogwood, Chinquapin, and Cherokee roads as drivers try to access Market Square. The recommendations were parking signs, three-hour parking, modified streets for parallel parking and a central plaza and parking deck.
Powell suggested a pop-up event to reveal if parallel parking would be a well-received solution.
Powell recommended closing the right lane at Dogwood to direct cars downtown, reverse one way, move more cars downtown into the commercial section, and create a smaller circle for drivers who need more than one attempt.
Other downtown recommendations included painting the light poles and adding light poles, widening sidewalks and adding furnishings, presenting Market Square as the Village Square, and changing the paving material at the entrance and exit.
The recommendation includes completing easy projects first, such as removing trees in poor condition and adding trees.
“Make it a really lovely walk,” Powell said about improving the downtown experience.
In other business matters, the council reviewed plans to convert Cannon Park Field 1, next to Woods Road, from grass to synthetic turf at $1.36 million with FieldTurf USA, Inc.
A FieldTurf USA, Inc representative said there were no significant increases in injuries due to synthetic turf.
Plans to add fencing increased the cost of $13,000.
The 2023 budget is $1.23 million for the project, so a budget amendment would be needed for $138,022.
Field rental rates will increase at a projected $15,000 per year.
With less need for maintenance, a decrease in expenses is expected.
Mayor Pro Tem Patrick Pizzella said they would be the first in Moore County with a synthetic field.
Feature photo: The Village of Pinehurst reviews McAdams Company’s recommendations for downtown improvements Aug. 9, 2022 at the work session. Image from Village of Pinehurst agenda.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Journalist Stephanie M. Sellers. Contact her at [email protected].
