Residents & downtown merchants invited to attend Wednesday’s Downtown Plan Update visioning workshops

The Town of Wake Forest is in the process of updating its Downtown Plan (formerly known as the Renaissance Plan for Downtown Wake Forest), and we want your input. Area residents and downtown businesses are invited to attend one of two visioning workshops on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at Wake Forest Fire Station #1, 420 Elm Ave., to learn more about the plan and share their thoughts and opinions on development and redevelopment, vehicular connections, pedestrian and bicycle connections, streetscape and urban design, green space and gathering space, and placemaking.

Programmed (not drop-in) sessions will be offered from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Since these are not drop-in sessions, attendees are encouraged to arrive a few minutes before the advertised start time.

In the meantime, residents and businesses are also encouraged to visit https://bit.ly/WFDowntownPlan and complete the online survey. Available through Sunday, Nov.  12, the survey takes less than 15 minutes to complete. The results of this survey will be used in preparing the plan and for other community decision-making purposes.

Finally, HOAs, book clubs, youth groups, and other community organizations are invited to host Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Workshops as a way of encouraging even greater public participation in the planning for the future of Downtown Wake Forest.

As part of the initiative, the Wake Forest Planning Department will provide participating groups with the tools and information necessary to conduct their very own community workshop, including facilitator instructions, workshop discussion questionnaires, workshop agenda and ground rules, and more. To learn more or request a DIY Workshop kit, email Assistant Planning Director Jennifer Currin at [email protected].

Scheduled for adoption in fall 2024, the updated Wake Forest Downtown Plan will provide recommendations and serve as a guide for future land use and development, transportation and parking, pedestrian mobility, redevelopment opportunities, and streetscape improvements throughout Downtown Wake Forest.

For more information and updates, including answers to frequently asked questions, visit https://bit.ly/WFDowntownPlan.