Wendell unveils draft downtown streetscape master plan proposing wider sidewalks, flexible festival street and nearly 200 net new parking spaces

Withers Ravenel and Wendell planning staff presented a draft downtown streetscape master plan at the Board of Commissioners meeting, outlining a vision for wider sidewalks, new street trees and lighting, flexible festival streets and nearly 200 net new parking spaces across the study area.

Planning Director Brian Coates introduced the project and noted the study grew from a year of public engagement and a request for qualifications for design services that was approved in January 2024. "This process did include full streetscape redesign, including new sidewalks, tree planters, street lights, street designs, site furnishings, public art, seating areas, and all within ADA compliance," Coates said in his presentation.

Daniel Watley, landscape architect for Withers Ravenel, described the concept and the study area and urged the board to view downtown as the space "between the buildings, the road, the sidewalks," where businesses and community…