Franklin Is Redesigning Main Street and Wants Your Input Before It Happens

By Jon Tharp, Broker  ·  May 12, 2026

Franklin's Main Street is about to get a hard look, and the Town Council wants residents in the room before the plans get finalized.

The town has partnered with McAdams and Toole Design on what they're calling a transformation plan, not just a facelift. The language coming out of the Town Council is deliberate on that point: this is meant to change how Main Street functions, not just how it looks.

Two public meetings are set for May 28 and 29 at Twenty-Eight Main Events, the event space next to Renee's Cake Shoppe on East Main Street. Both sessions are open to the public and structured around input rather than just presentation.

That matters. The difference between a Main Street project that works and one that misses the mark often comes down to whether the people who actually use the corridor got a say before the design was locked in. Businesses, residents, and property owners near downtown all have a stake in how this plays out.

Franklin's downtown has been a draw for buyers considering a move to western North Carolina for years. The combination of an intact commercial core, walkable blocks, and proximity to outdoor recreation is a real selling point. A well-executed Main Street plan builds on that. A poorly executed one can disrupt what already works.

McAdams brings infrastructure and transportation engineering to the table. Toole Design focuses on making streets function well for everyone using them, on foot, on a bike, or in a car. That combination typically signals a project taking the full picture into account rather than just repaving and replanting.

If you live in Franklin or are watching the market here, this is worth an hour of your time. These early input sessions are where the direction gets set.

If you have questions about how downtown development projects tend to affect property values in mountain towns, Jon Tharp is happy to walk through what the data shows.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Franklin Main Street transformation plan?

The Town of Franklin has engaged McAdams and Toole Design to develop a comprehensive plan for Main Street that goes beyond cosmetic improvements. The goal is to make Main Street a more functional and welcoming space for residents and businesses, which could include changes to traffic flow, pedestrian access, streetscaping, and the overall character of the corridor. The Town Council is gathering community input before any plans are finalized.

When are the Franklin Main Street public meetings?

Two informational sessions are scheduled for Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29. Both will be held at Twenty-Eight Main Events, located beside Renee's Cake Shoppe on East Main Street in Franklin. The meetings will give residents an opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and weigh in on the direction of the project. Specific session times have not been published, so check with the Town of Franklin directly for updated details.

Who is involved in the Franklin Main Street redesign?

The Town of Franklin is working with two outside firms on the project. McAdams is a full-service design and engineering firm that handles infrastructure, transportation, and land planning. Toole Design specializes in multi-modal transportation planning with a focus on making streets work better for pedestrians and cyclists as well as vehicles. Together they bring the kind of expertise that typically shapes downtown corridor work in smaller cities looking to reinvest in their commercial core.

How does a Main Street redesign affect nearby home values?

Revitalized downtown corridors consistently have a positive effect on surrounding residential property values, particularly in smaller mountain towns where walkability and community character are part of the draw. Franklin's real estate market has attracted a significant number of buyers from larger metro areas who specifically want the small-town feel. Investment in Main Street infrastructure and aesthetics reinforces that value proposition. If you own property near downtown or are considering a purchase in Franklin, this kind of long-range planning is worth tracking.