High Point updates committee on $19.8M RAISE-funded Elm Street and Southwest Greenway, aims for Sept. 2027 readiness
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Summary
City transportation staff told the Prosperity, Livability, and Safety committee the RAISE-funded 'High Point on the Rise' project totals about $28 million ($19.8M federal, ~$9M local), will create a 4.8-mile connection, and is negotiating railroad access and right-of-way acquisition with a target obligation date of Sept. 2027.
High Point officials on Jan. 2026 updated the Prosperity, Livability, and Safety committee on the federally funded RAISE project known as "High Point on the Rise," saying the program includes a $19,800,000 federal award plus about $9,000,000 in city and community commitments for an estimated total around $28,000,000.
"We applied for the RAISE grant back in July 2021 ... we were awarded in November 2021," Greg Venable, High Point transportation director, said, noting that Federal Highway and USDOT did not issue a notice to proceed until February 2023, which compressed the early schedule.
The project will deliver approximately 4.8 miles of urban connections including a Southwest Greenway and streetscape work on Elm Street to link Armstrong Park, the Catalyst District and surrounding neighborhoods to regional transit, the hospital, the library and other community assets. "It serves areas that really need non-highway connections to either work, live, or play," the presenter said.
Federal oversight shaped the project's design approach. Venable told the committee that once federally controlled design work advances, the Federal Highway Administration places strict limits on later changes and generally does not allow decorative features or public art to be added as part of the federally funded design package. Monica Peters, chair of the committee, clarified that the city still plans to engage on public art through other city-led efforts: "We are going to be engaged with public art," she said.
Staff described progress on environmental review and design milestones: the team reached preliminary design stages, submitted NEPA documentation, and is awaiting final NEPA review for the Southwest Greenway portion. The consultant Alta was credited for early conceptual designs and program coordination.
Negotiations with the railroad are central to the corridor option. Edmonds explained the use of "rail banking," an instrument that can allow public use of an inactive rail corridor while preserving the railroad's right to restore service later; the process typically involves a review before the Surface Transportation Board and can include payment arrangements to the railroad.
Right-of-way acquisition will be a major next step. Staff told the committee it expects to work with about 90 property owners in the Southwest Greenway portion and about 30 property owners on Elm Street; Edmonds said acquisition costs are included in the project budget and that the acquisition period is expected to last roughly a year. An unnamed committee member asked how staff would respond if an owner did not cooperate; Damon Duquesne, assistant city manager, said the city prefers negotiated purchases and would be "reluctant" to pursue condemnation, adding that staff would find reasonable solutions with property owners.
On schedule, staff said change orders and authorization to begin right-of-way acquisition will be brought to council within the next month, with bid solicitation currently estimated for spring or summer 2027. The federal obligation deadline for being ready for construction is Sept. 2027, a date officials said was extended from the original Sept. 2024 obligation by an act of Congress.
Officials emphasized community and design priorities alongside technical constraints. Edmonds showed preliminary wayfinding and streetscape concepts tied to recent city branding and noted opportunities for local creatives to contribute context-sensitive elements, particularly outside the federally restricted portions of the design.
No formal votes were taken at the presentation; staff said they will return with change orders and next steps. The committee adjourned after Council Chair Monica Peters closed the session.
