Franklin's Main Street Could Look Very Different After the Next Repaving

By Jon Tharp, Broker  ·  October 8, 2026

Franklin just put money behind figuring out what its Main Street could become. At its October 5 meeting, the Franklin Town Council approved $229,546 for the second phase of the Main Street transformation project. The project is evaluating concepts like more trees, wider sidewalks for outdoor dining and events, and parking changes.

NCDOT has a resurfacing project programmed on Main Street. The town's agenda said this "gives the Town a narrow, low-cost window to reset the curb-to-curb space through pavement markings and other resurfacing compatible changes."

What will the next phase of the project study?

John R. McAdams Company, the original contractor, will take on four questions. What can change with the resurfacing, and what does that look like on the ground? How can traffic move through downtown, and is two-way operation on Main Street workable?

The last two look further out. What should Main Street become long term once circulation is settled, and what does the town do next to fund, permit, and build it? The agenda said that in the longer term, the town wants to know "whether downtown circulation can work differently, and what Main Street could become."

Why did the cost go up?

Town Manager Amie Owens said the town had budgeted $200,000 for this second task order. McAdams came back with a slightly higher task order that incorporates additional meetings with NCDOT and additional traffic studies for traffic coming off Highlands Road and Depot Street.

Owens said the town negotiated over the additional $29,546, and the firm found ways to replace some in-person meetings with virtual sessions and to lower overall costs. The additional funds will be applied to DOT meetings. The town would like to ensure decisions made upfront will stick and not require costlier remedies 10 months to a year down the road. Council approved the final amount through a budget amendment.

What else happened at the October 5 meeting?

Early in the meeting, Mayor Stacy Guffey reminded members that in December, "A young man walked into these chambers to be sworn into a life of public service, the highest calling." Members then stood for a moment of silence honoring the life and service of Officer Marcus McCarson.

Council also agreed to form a committee to review and update the Town Charter before the 2027 North Carolina General Assembly session. Town attorney John Henning, Jr. called it "an extremely old document in some places," pointing to references like a mayor's court that he said the town hasn't had for "probably going on a 100 years."

Mayor Guffey, Councilwoman Rita Salain, and Councilman Robbie Tompa agreed to serve on that committee, with a plan to draw in the full council for further discussion in the November-December timeframe.

Assistant town manager and finance director Sarah Bishop introduced Callie Barrett as Franklin's new town planner. Barrett replaces Justin Setser, who took over as chief of the Franklin Fire Department.

Council also unanimously approved moving $3,000 from contingency funds to cover demolition costs for a property at 185 Rogers Road. The property was approved to be vacated, closed, and demolished at the September 8 meeting due to its deplorable condition, which had affected the health and safety of the local neighborhood.

Source: Macon Sense

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Franklin spending on the next phase of the Main Street project?

The Franklin Town Council approved $229,546 for the second phase task order with John R. McAdams Company. The town had budgeted $200,000 and negotiated with the firm over the additional $29,546. Council approved the final amount through a budget amendment.

Could Main Street in Franklin NC become two-way?

It is being studied. One of the four questions in the new task order is how traffic can move through downtown and whether two-way operation on Main Street is workable.

Why is Franklin planning Main Street changes now?

NCDOT has a resurfacing project programmed on Main Street, which the town describes as a narrow, low-cost window to reset the curb-to-curb space through pavement markings and other resurfacing-compatible changes.