Orange County Towns Promoting Local Businesses During Construction

Local businesses throughout Orange County are used to a small decrease in traffic during the summer months. But with some construction projects happening near some local businesses this summer, it can keep additional customers away.

Hillsborough is experiencing this due to construction near a handful of local businesses. The town is undergoing major roadwork to improve connections to the Riverwalk greenway and pedestrian access to commercial areas on South Nash Street.

Mayor Tom Stevens says between the new crosswalks, sidewalks and curbs being built, the businesses along that stretch can easily get passed over. He encourages residents and visitors to not be scared away.

“There are a lot of cones and a lot of ribbons,” Stevens says. “But all the businesses are open, and they will maintain access to their places of business.”

Stevens says the construction is moving right along and will still be very beneficial for the growing commercial area in West Hillsborough.

“They’ll be pouring part of the new sidewalks,” Stevens says. “They’ve completed a lot of the curbing down from the Nash Street businesses down to Calvin Street where the Riverwalk entrance is in Gold Park.”

Carrboro is facing similar challenges with construction this summer. Since a large part of South Greensboro Street is closed to install a roundabout over the next few weeks, detours were created around the area. But the town wants residents to not let the construction deter them from coming downtown and visiting Greensboro Street businesses.

Carrboro mayor Lydia Lavelle spoke with WCHL’s Aaron Keck earlier this summer about the town’s efforts to promote the businesses around the closed section.

“We want people to not shy away because it’s still so easy to get around there,” Lavelle said.

The town made a significant social media push to communicate detours and still reminds residents about the open shops. Lavelle also said Carrboro got some help from Google to alert drivers.

“We’re pleased that Google Maps has been updated to show that particular section is closed,” she said. “We also have been working on some signage, some smaller signs and a big sign on different buildings, because we want people to come and enjoy downtown.”

While Chapel Hill is not facing large-scale projects like Hillsborough and Carrboro, there are many smaller improvement projects happening throughout the summer. Resurfacing done on main roads like Franklin Street, Columbia Street and Cameron Avenue has caused some drivers to take detours.

Most of these projects across Orange County are expected to be completed before the beginning of fall.

Photo via the Department of Transportation.