Council hears Skyway Drive streetscape plan and discusses applying for CRTP0 discretionary grant

City planning staff presented a design update for the Skyway Drive streetscape and described how the city could coordinate with an NC DOT interchange improvement on US‑74/601. The streetscape design covers the Skyway Drive corridor from Pedro Street to West Meyers Street and includes an 8‑foot multi‑use path on the north side, a 6‑foot sidewalk on the south side, decorative lighting, street trees, undergrounding utilities, signal upgrades and intersection treatments.

Staff described the broader opportunity created by NC DOT’s interchange project — replacement bridges, roundabouts and right‑of‑way activity — and said the city can advance aesthetic, pedestrian and gateway improvements in coordination with DOT. Staff said right‑of‑way needs for the Skyway Drive project total about 1.257 acres and estimated right‑of‑way acquisition at roughly $260,000; the street‑state design portion was estimated at approximately $2,790,000 for a projected total near $3,050,000. “The projected proposed project cost is, uh, around 3 million and 50,000,” staff said.

Staff asked council to grant permission to apply for CRTPO 2026 discretionary grant funding for the Skyway Drive street‑state design portion. Staff outlined next steps: a stakeholder workshop tentatively in August, a resolution for council in September to allow the application, and an October grant submittal. Staff recommended a minimum local match of 25% (30% preferred) and said matching funds could come from the Concord Avenue Redevelopment project account.

Council members asked about project limits, construction timing and which elements would be the city’s responsibility versus DOT’s. A motion and second were called on the staff request to authorize applying for the discretionary grant; staff said construction drawings and bid documents would be prepared if the city moved forward.