Town Council Workshop - Sept 14 2026

Town Council Workshop Recap: Merchant’s Alley and Florida Avenue Redesign

Meeting Overview and Context On September 14, 2026, the Town of Weaverville Town Council convened for a preliminary workshop focused on potential traffic and street redesign options for Merchant’s Alley and Florida Avenue. Town staff presented three preliminary concepts for Merchant’s Alley, derived from a 2020 survey indicating 20-foot-wide streets, and a conceptual image for a partial closure of Florida Avenue to create an outdoor dining area. The Town Manager and Mayor explicitly stated that no decisions were made during this session. The primary objective was to gather community input to determine which concepts warrant further engineering and planning study, ensuring that any future implementation would be supported by detailed planning, signage, and striping.

Key Discussions and Council Actions The discussion centered on narrowing the scope of potential projects to avoid conducting four separate engineering studies. Staff presented options for Merchant’s Alley, including a staff-recommended "No Through Traffic" model (one-way southbound with a fire lane and limited parking), a "Two-Way Traffic with Restricted Parking" model, and various one-way options. Staff noted that the one-way options were rated poorly for safety due to the risk of drivers traveling the wrong way. Regarding Florida Avenue, staff presented a concept involving a partial closure to create a "social district" for outdoor dining, noting this is a long-term possibility requiring extensive study on ADA compliance and wayfinding.

The Council did not vote on any specific design. Instead, Council Member [Speaker 6] suggested eliminating the one-way options, citing their unpopularity in a previous sticker survey. The Council agreed to consider this direction to narrow the options. Additionally, Council Member [Speaker 3] asked staff to investigate with NCDOT whether semi-tractor trailers can be rerouted off Main Street to reduce heavy vehicle presence in the downtown area, a request staff agreed to pursue. The Mayor also requested that staff review a previous proposal to remove three parking spaces on Florida Avenue to extend sidewalks for ADA compliance, which had been previously dropped due to safety concerns, if the Council wishes to explore it as a compromise.

Community Input and Public Commentary Public comment revealed significant division regarding safety, parking, and economic impact. Residents such as Darla Laterno, Inger Stallman Jorgensen, and Josh Geerish raised concerns about pedestrian-vehicle conflicts, the lack of sidewalks in Merchant’s Alley, and the danger posed by large trucks on narrow streets. Business owners, including Beth Mangum and Brandy Bailey, argued against eliminating all parking, suggesting instead that the town address irresponsible parking by large trucks. Beth Mangum proposed forming a task force comprising business owners and public safety officials to find a compromise.

Regarding the Florida Avenue closure, supporters like Darla Laterno argued that pedestrian plazas boost walkability and spending, while opponents like Alan Shepherd and Tanya Shepherd warned that closing the street would divert heavy truck traffic onto Alabama Avenue, endangering residents. Thomas Vesey criticized the Florida Avenue concept as a "band-aid," suggesting instead that the town explore long-term infrastructure projects, such as a parking garage and a riverfront boardwalk. The Mayor acknowledged these long-term ideas as viable, noting that "band-aids aren't holding" for the town's infrastructure needs.

Follow-Ups and Next Steps Several specific follow-up actions were agreed upon during the workshop. Town staff will narrow the design options based on the Council’s direction to eliminate the one-way concepts. Council Member [Speaker 5] agreed to put out a sign-up sheet for community volunteers to join an ad hoc task force, which the Mayor suggested should include business owners, police, fire, and public works representatives. Staff will investigate with NCDOT the possibility of rerouting semi-tractor trailers off Main Street. Staff will also review the previously dropped Florida Avenue sidewalk extension proposal if the Council chooses to explore it. Finally, the Mayor stated he would like to explore the long-term ideas raised by residents regarding a parking garage and a riverfront boardwalk or amphitheater project.

Impact on Residents This workshop highlights the Town Council’s commitment to addressing immediate safety concerns in Merchant’s Alley and Florida Avenue while simultaneously planning for long-term infrastructure improvements. The formation of an ad hoc task force and the investigation into traffic rerouting directly address resident complaints about heavy truck traffic and pedestrian safety. By narrowing the options and seeking community input through a volunteer task force, the Town aims to develop solutions that balance business accessibility with public safety. The explicit rejection of quick fixes in favor of long-term planning, such as a parking garage or riverfront development, signals a strategic shift toward sustainable urban design that prioritizes walkability and community hubs over mere vehicle throughput.