2011 Main Street Program annual report is available here (PDF - 10.2MB)

Franklin, NC Shopping Red Carpet Events What are Red Carpet Events? The Franklin Main Street Program has begun a new initiative to introduce new businesses and relocating businesses within the Program District. During the event we literally rolll out the red carpet for the day, which also includes special signage. The Main Street Program also serves refreshments for a limited time during these red carpet events. When is the next event? The Franklin Main Street Program invites you to our next “Rolling Out the Red Carpet” event as we welcome another new business to downtown Franklin. On Thursday, October 13, 2011, we’ll welcome Appalachian Harvest located at 70 Iotla Street. We'll roll out the red carpet at 5:00 p.m. You’re invited to drop by and welcome Kimberly & Kevin Baldwin to the Franklin Main Street Program District. Light refreshments as well as coffee will be served at 9:30 a.m. as well. Tuesday October 18th at 9:30 we will welcome two businesses, Collectiques which features unusual antiques & collectibles, they are located at 43 Phillips Street phone 524-9380. Also included in this event will be the Macon County Historical Society Thrift Store which has moved to its new location next to Collectuques at 43 Phillips Street.

Shop at Home Initiative Underway in Franklin

Franklin businesses have joined together to breath new life into the Shop Franklin First initiative. Tony Angel Media has created a Shop Franklin First website which highlights all the retail shopping in Franklin. Businesses have the opportunity to post banner ads and coupons on the site to attract shoppers to their stores.

"In these economic times, it is more important than ever for residents of the area to suppport our local merchants," said Linda Schlott, Franklin Main Street Program Executive Director. "This website is a great start and we certainly hope merchants will support the project and utilize the site to it's fullest potential".

MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENT WELL UNDERWAY

The Main Street Progam is working to transform Franklin’s downtown district. Main Street, however, is not the only target area. Six areas including Depot Street and the Highlands Road have been addressed in a preliminary master plan. The six subdistricts are temporarily termed the village, Main Street, medical park, industrial section (Depot Street), river gateway, and Highlands Boulevard.

A series of maps and graphics were available for public comment for several weeks following two public forums to engage the stakeholders within the Franklin Main Street Program District. The recommendations were utilized as guidelines in finetuning Franklin’s master plan.

A traffic study was done in the early planning stages of the master plan. Possible outcomes are converting Palmer and Main Streets to two-way capacity. The widening of Palmer Street is estimated to cost $2 million dollars.

The cost of the master plan is $196,000. “That’s for the physical plan itself,” said Linda Schlott, executive director of the Franklin Main Street Program, “not the implementation.” The traffic study was $50,000. “Entities are stepping up to the plate to help,” said Schlott, who said that the plan is nearly funded. “This is for 8.5 miles of street,” she added.

“We want something that showcases the heritage, pinpoints the location, speaks to the outdoor activities, and appeals to both tourists and residents alike.”

Franklin Mayor Joe Collins said it is exciting to see what is possible. “We have a lot of good options. It seems the town and the public are united in the desire to give the area a facelift.”

Macon County Commissioner Bob Simpson agreed that the planning stages look great. “The objective is to get people to stop in Franklin,” said Simpson. “No part of town is left out. This is economic development.”

Download the Master Plan here. WARNING: this file is in PDF format and is 95 MB.