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City previews Cox Avenue Streetscape, easement acquisition and 2027 construction timeline
Summary
Capital Asset Management staff presented the Cox Avenue Streetscape project: roughly a half-mile complete-street reconstruction from Patton Ave to Southside Ave with sidewalk, stormwater, and underground utility work; staff will seek authority to begin temporary construction easement acquisition and expects construction in 2027 pending NCDOT approval.
The city's Capital Asset Management director, Walter Eer, briefed council June 4 on the Cox Avenue Streetscape project, a roughly half-mile complete-street reconstruction from Patton Avenue to Southside that includes continuous sidewalks, dedicated bike lanes, streetscape features, stormwater and water infrastructure improvements, and a tabled downtown-style section near Banks Avenue.
Eer said the project is at approximately 90% design and that staff will request authority to begin acquiring temporary construction easements so the project can be approved by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). Staff said NCDOT will not approve final plans until easement acquisition is complete. Eer estimated construction would begin in 2027 and described a funding package that combines federal surface transportation grant dollars, a TDA lift grant, and local city funds to produce an estimated $15 million project.
Councilmembers raised sequencing questions for metered parking: staff clarified the streetscape project will not install metered parking infrastructure during construction to avoid duplicate work; Parking Services will install metered equipment after construction so the equipment can be "plugged in" to the new streetscape.
Why it matters: The project aims to improve pedestrian safety, accessibility and stormwater infrastructure along a key corridor and to coordinate closely with business owners and other developers to reduce conflicts during construction. The easement acquisition resolution will allow the city's contractor to begin outreach and negotiations with impacted property owners about temporary construction rights.
Next steps: Staff will present an easement acquisition contract for Council consideration; staff will continue coordinating with property owners and impacted businesses through design completion and easement negotiations, then seek NCDOT approvals ahead of a 2027 construction start.
