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Council approves returning downtown benches; staff to determine placement
Summary
After a public hearing with business and resident input, Council voted 4-1 to return benches to downtown and delegated placement decisions to city staff.
Graham, N.C. — The City Council on May 12 voted 4-1 to reinstall benches in the downtown area and directed staff to decide exact placement.
Assistant City Manager Aaron Holland said the item stemmed from a prior council request. Multiple downtown business owners and residents, including Randy Phillips and Jeff Benes, spoke in favor of returning benches, saying they improve downtown livability and comfort. One commenter asked that benches not be placed where private tables or chairs already sit; another recommended an administrative rather than business-led placement process.
Council Member Bobby Chin moved to place the benches back and allow staff to determine placement; the motion passed 4-1 with Mayor Pro Tem Ricky Hall casting the dissenting vote. Staff will coordinate installations and consider business layouts in placement decisions.
