This fall, the Fuquay-Varina Town Board adopted its first Downtown Generational Plan, a long-term vision for revitalizing a downtown center, focusing on making downtown vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive for all generations through thoughtful land use, economic development, and infrastructure improvements.
“Essentially, the Fuquay-Varina Downtown Generational Plan is a roadmap for creating a thriving downtown that meets the evolving needs of its diverse residents, businesses, and visitors for decades to come,” says Mayor Blake Massengill.
Built on extensive public engagement, the plan envisions a downtown that celebrates the town’s culture, welcomes diverse residents, and extends beyond Main Street to encompass vibrant green spaces, accessible transportation, and opportunities for economic growth.
Places for people to gather and create unique experiences are key for a successful downtown, so three transformative projects are proposed in the plan:
- Piney Woods Park – an iconic civic space in the heart of Downtown to meet the needs of generations to come. Programming ideas encompass a town square, playground, market area, and a plaza.
- Junction Mixed-Use District – a district to foster a vibrant “live-work-play” environment through infill development, bridging Downtown Fuquay and Downtown Varina with a new physical connection.
- Mineral Springs District – a district to honor the town’s heritage through a focus on arts, health, and wellness, building on the success of the Arts Center and amplifying its impact across Downtown.
Another exciting recommendation considers the creation of a Rail Trail, converting existing rail lines into vibrant pedestrian paths, which requires further feasibility studies to determine its viability.
Recently approved by the Town Board is an ambitious transformational mixed-use project aligned with the Downtown Generational Master Plan. This initiative expands downtown living and commercial options through a development agreement with Raleigh’s HMP Holdings, LLC. The new vertical complex will feature 20,000 square feet of retail/restaurant space, 244 apartments, and a 420-space parking deck.
The 90+ action items in the Fuquay-Varina Downtown Master Plan aim to strike a balance between new development, redevelopment, and infill projects. Assistant Town Manager Jim Seymour emphasizes, “This plan serves as a roadmap for our vision,” acknowledging it will take years to implement. “The Generation Plan will guide responsible development, ensuring a unique, vibrant downtown that attracts businesses, visitors, and residents alike.” Review the Downtown Generational Plan at https://bit.ly/fv-downtown
