By Katie Holland

Staff Writer

With big plans for Roseboro’s downtown in the picture, Randy James, spokesman for the Main Street Committee, came before the board with suggestions that will help the revitalization process.

“This is what we need to hopefully improve the entire image of our downtown,” James commented during the town’s planning session.

First, he noted a desire to improve the actually design of downtown strip by doing such things as asking store owners to adopt a plant during the growing season. In addition, he also noted that it would help improve the physical image of the town by requiring the removal of signs for non-existent businesses and not allowing storage on the ground floor of the business district.

With thoughts of making the town more appealing, he also brought up a desire to help new business owners set up in the downtown area.

“We want to make it easy for someone to open their doors here,” James noted. More specifically, he explained that it could happen, if the town were to reduce the town’s $50 occupancy fee, waive the water “hook-up fee,” waive the requirement of a trash can if it is not needed, and support with revolving loans and applicable grants for business owners.

“This is just for your thoughts,” James announced.

The Main Street Committee spokesman also suggested some ideas for improving the downtown parking. More specifically, he explained that some of the town’s older people would appreciate more 45 degree parking rather than parallel spaces. James also commented on a desire to have a walk-through to a parking area, which would require part of one of the buildings to be taken out.

“It would be so nice to have easier access to a parking area,” said James.

Seeming quite satisfied with James’ suggestions, mayor Roland Hall commented, “You are the missing link (in the town’s revitalization), and we are grateful your group is on board.”

The mayor then also expressed other ways that the town is trying to improve its image. One way, which is currently being completed, is the creation of a town website.

Hall explained that once complete, the website will be www.roseboronc.com. However if anyone was interested in seeing what the proposed site will look like, Hall stated that the working site can be found at www.roseboronc.com/main.html.

The mayor noted that the town is also considering putting another parade into its schedule. The suggested parade idea would be a “Rose Parade” and would take place sometime in the spring.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.