Sidewalk

The existing sidewalk along Main Street consist of scoured concrete panels of varying dimensions. Total sidewalk widths (from building face to back of curb) vary from 12 feet to 17 feet, with an average width of 15 feet. In conjunction with the Downtown Streetscape Project, the existing sidewalk will be replaced with modular concrete pavers and the sidewalk width increased to accommodate both pedestrian movement, as well as, an amenity area for benches, street furniture, and enhanced landscaping. The use of pavers (Traditional Prest Brick) will also allow for utility repairs and or service modifications to be completed without compromising the integrity of the sidewalk.

Pavers will be organized into bands and fields. A 2 foot paver band will consist of “Quarry Red” pavers installed in a basket weave pattern behind the curb and along the building face. A paver band will also be utilized on approximately 25 foot intervals to define the paver fields. The paver fields will consist of a blend of “Natural” and “Charcoal” pavers and will be installed using a herringbone pattern.

Pedestrian Level Lighting

The project includes the introduction of pedestrian level lighting that will both reflect the historical lighting fixtures utilized downtown and provide for additional flexibility through the use of additional receptacles, banner arms, and planter brackets. While Union Metal fixtures similar to that shown in the adjacent photo were used downtown in the early twentieth century, Holophane poles and fixtures (Granville series) are proposed for use on this project.

Street Geometry & Parking

The most significant change to the street cross-section downtown is the transition for angled parking to parallel parking. Through the use of parallel parking on both sides of Main Street, the number of on-street parking spaces will remain more or less unchanged. In addition to improving operational safety for bicyclists and pedestrians, the conversion to parallel parking will allow for the overall cross-section of Main Street to be reduced in order to accommodate wider sidewalks, provide for an increased buffer between Main Street and the railroad, the introduction of designated on-street loading and unloading zones, and reduced crossing distances for pedestrians.

Utilities & Other Infrastructure

Due to the presence of aging infrastructure and the need to provide for future flexibility, the project includes the addition/replacement of several water mains (locations), sewer taps (a minimum of 2 new sewer taps provided behind the curb in each block), reconstruction of the entire storm drainage system (including an existing 72” wide by 60” tall brick arch culvert), the addition of additional electrical infrastructure and quick connects to provide power and water for street festivals and other special events, and irrigation to support a variety of landscaping enhancements.

Landscaping

The project includes extensive landscaping improvements both along the business side of Main Street and along the railroad wall. Approximately seventy (70) landscape pits are proposed along the business side of Main Street and will include a variety of plant material. The primary street tree on the project is the Hightower® Willow Oak (Quercus phellos). According to Dr. Michael Dirr, "Hightower® Willow Oak is the grower's dream tree and the landscape architect's easiest specification. Guaranteed to please because of the naturally developed central leader, uniform distribution of branches, upswept branching disposition, and lustrous dark green leaves turning yellow in autumn." For more information on the Hightower Willow Oak, visit the Select Trees Limited Portfolio.

Due to sight distance requirements adjacent to the railroad, smaller accent trees such as multi-stem apalachee crepe myrtles and yashino cherry trees will be utilized in conjunction with a wide variety of shrubs and perennials to provide a buffer between Main Street and the railroad corridor and to accentuate the many freight and passenger trains which pass through downtown.

Wayfinding Signage

Due to the prevalence of one-way streets, the challenges associated with the presence of the railroad, and the multiple decision points that exist when traversing downtown, the project includes introduction of a hierarchy of signs to assist with directing visitors to various destinations, to increase visibility and awareness of various attractions on both sides of Main Street, and to promote geographic identity within the downtown.

Specific corridors have been identified by their context to specific areas of Rocky Mount history and include: Main Street/Historic Downtown, Douglas Block, Tobacco Town, and the Mill Corridor. The hardware utilized to construct the signs is intended to reflect the industrial heritage of Rocky Mount and seek to complement the other elements of the streetscape project.

Street Furnishings

A variety of street furnishings have been incorporated into the streetscape project to create a unified and inviting streetscape, to accommodate a variety of users, and to provide flexibility with regards to use of this public space. Specific items include trash receptacles, benches, bike racks, and planters. While the initial phases of the project will incorporate each of these items in a variety of configurations, these furnishings are scaleable and will be incorporated into the streetscape as needs dictate and funding allows.

Public Art

Although public art is not incorporated into the first phase of the project, the project has been designed in such a way as to accommodate the introduction of public art into the streetscape as the opportunity presents itself. Whether civic, functional, or hardscape/intrinsic, public art is considered to be an important component of the streetscape and an integral tool to create a sense of place within downtown.