Residents love the Town of Burgaw for its small-town character and welcoming atmosphere. Courthouse Avenue, however, lacked the charm of the rest of the town. The Town Planning Department wanted to revitalize the tired street and sidewalks. WithersRavenel developed a schematic design for parking, outdoor furniture, and accessory landscaping to reflect Burgaw’s unique feel.
WithersRavenel proposed a shared street concept where sidewalks and vehicular travel lanes are at the same elevation. Special paving, street trees, and planters along Courthouse Avenue create a safe place for motorists, pedestrians, and other visitors. The plantings provide shade to reduce heat island effects, and the porous paving reduces stormwater loads on existing infrastructure. (These stormwater benefits are also on display at the Greensboro Downtown Greenway, part of a sustainable stormwater system.)
WithersRavenel also recommended policies and practices for streetscape design and maintenance. These recommendations will serve as a basis for future phases of design development. They will be supplemented with input from Town commissioners, Town staff, property owners, and the public.