Town of Franklin Press Releases

June 20, 2024

Clyde Street Resurfacing

The Town of Franklin has contracted with HMC Paving and Construction, Inc. to resurface Clyde Street as part of the Clyde Street Waterline Improvement Project. Paving should begin on Friday, June 21, 2024 and continue for several days. The street will be closed in varying sections to allow for this resurfacing to occur. The street will be closed except to local traffic. Please look for flaggers and signage along the route.

Please note that this project is contingent upon weather conditions. If there is rain, the project dates may have to be adjusted.

Should you have any questions, please contact Bill Deal, Public Works Director at 828-524-2516 x 402.

 

June 17, 2024
Clyde Street Waterline Tie In – Randolph Street – June 19

The Town of Franklin has been informed by Buckeye Bridge, LLC, the contractor replacing the water line on Clyde Street that they will be completing the tie in of the new water lines to the distribution system for Randolph Street on Wednesday, June 19.  It is estimated that this task should begin around 8:30 a.m. that day.   

There will be service interruptions that will last for several hours as they complete this task.  Randolph Street should be the only area that will experience interruption.

Door hangers with this service interruption notice are being placed at homes on Randolph Street and information is being shared via town website and other media outlets.   

Should you have any questions, please contact Bill Deal, Public Works Director, at 828-524-2516 x 402.

 

 

June 4, 2024
Town Hall Office Hours Changing June 10

The Town of Franklin Town Hall hours are changing effective Monday, June 10, 2024.  New office hours will be Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.   Payments at the window will be accepted from 8:30 a.m. until 5:25 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. until 2:55 p.m. on Friday. The drop box will remain available for payments before and after hours and on weekends.  

“Customers have asked for extended hours in order to make payments. In order to provide this service, we are doing a trial run with the new schedule. If it is found that this schedule is not effective or does not produce the desired result, the schedule will be changed back to standardized 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. office hours,” said Town Manager Amie Owens.

The new hours will be posted and will include a contact telephone number if someone needs assistance after normal hours on Fridays. 

 

June 3, 2024
Franklin Social District to Begin June 22

The Town of Franklin’s social district will be in effect beginning Saturday, June 22 at Noon. All signage and boundary markers will be installed between June 3 and June 14, 2024. There is an informational page that has been added to the Town’s website and a QR code on all of the various social district indicators.

In preparation for the social district, a listing of Frequently Asked Questions has been developed to share information with those who may not be familiar with the concept of social districts and to clarify how the Franklin Social District will operate. These FAQs are also available on the town’s website under the tabs of For Residents, For Businesses and For Visitors and is searchable.

What is a social district?

A social district is a designated outdoor area where people can legally consume alcoholic beverages. Social districts are regulated by the NC Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Commission and were approved by the NC Legislature in 2021.

How did the social district come to be?

The Franklin Town Council approved the Franklin Social District on January 2, 2024 meeting, a public hearing was held to gain public input related to a proposed social district. After the public hearing, the Town Council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance creating a social district.

What does this mean for citizens and visitors to Franklin?

Individuals who purchase specialized cups that have the social district logo and “Drink Responsibly – Be 21” can carry their purchased beverage on the sidewalks within the social district and into participating businesses.

What are the hours for the social district?

The hours of operation for the district will be Noon until 9:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday. At all other times, unless a permit has been obtained for a special event, consumption of alcohol on sidewalks and in public areas is prohibited.

How much are the social district cups?

The Franklin Social District cups are $4.00 each and are reusable. ABC permittees must also place a sticker on the cup with the date prior to an individual leaving their establishment with a beverage. If an individual goes to another establishment, re-uses their cup and wishes to take a beverage out into the social district, another sticker is added from the new location.

Can I bring my social district cup back on another date?

Yes, the social district cups are reusable. You will have to get a new sticker on the cup with the new date when you purchase a beverage, but you will not have to pay for the cup again.

Who are the ABC Permittees in the social district?

The ABC permittees are the various businesses who have been approved for sale of alcohol by the NC ABC Commission and who have chosen to participate in the social district. Signage indicating participation and location for sale of cups should be posted on the establishment.

Can I take my beverage into another ABC Permitted location?

No, the ordinance allows for carrying to another establishment, but the cup must be empty prior to entering another ABC permitted business. For example: if you purchase a cup and beverage at Lazy Hiker, you must finish the beverage before entering the Rathskeller.

Can I bring my own alcoholic beverage into the social district?

No, the ordinance allows for beverages to be purchased and consumed only within the boundaries of the social district within the specialized cup. No outside alcohol is allowed.

Who gets the money from the social district cups?

The participating ABC Permittees will collect the money for the social district cups and it is part of their sales. The funding stays with local businesses.

Can I take my social district cup into any business downtown?

No, you can only take beverages into those businesses who have chosen to allow beverages to be carried in. Businesses within the social district will have appropriate signage indicating whether or not they wish to allow alcoholic beverages in their establishment.

Are there areas where social district cups and beverages are prohibited?

Yes, the squares downtown (Clock Tower, Gazebo and Rankin) will remain alcohol-free at all times as they are owned by Macon County, not the Town of Franklin, and are not included in the district. This includes the benches at the Gazebo as they are not on the public sidewalks and any areas behind the fencing at Rankin and Clock Tower. The sidewalks that border all of the squares are included in the social district including the benches on the sidewalks. Individuals who are observed taking their marked cups into these areas will be subject to fines.

How does this impact festivals and events?

Event sponsors will have the option to request that the social district be suspended during their events by indicating such on the street closure application that is available online. The Town Council will consider the request at the same time as the street closure. When streets are closed, the social district includes the closed streets and individuals can have social district cups on streets during the hours of the street closures.

How many social district towns are there?

There are currently 46 municipalities in the state with active social districts. The social district concept is based in economic development principles to attract citizens and visitors to the downtown leading to increased foot-traffic and provide new revenue opportunities for restaurants and retail establishments.

How can I learn more about the social district?

The maintenance and operations plan is available online here on the Town of Franklin website. Click or tap here to be redirected. Hard copies are also available at Town Hall. A QR code to this information is included with all boundary markers and signs within the social district or you can contact Town Hall at 828-524-2516.

The Town will hold an informational session at the Town Hall on Thursday, June 20, 2024 in the Town Hall Board Room beginning at 5:30 p.m. to answer questions related to the social district.

 

June 3, 2024 - Updated

Maple Street Paving Project

The Town of Franklin has contracted with HMC Paving and Construction, Inc. to pave Maple Street from West Main Street to West Palmer Street.

Due to inclement weather on Wednesday, the contractor will be milling beginning on Friday, June 7 and paving on Monday, June 10.

The street will be closed to allow for this paving to occur. The street will be closed to thru traffic on these dates. Signage will be in place related to the closure.

“This portion of Maple Street has been a priority for repair since the new sidewalks were added. We know this short street is well-traveled and we are pleased to be able to move this project forward,” said Town Manager Amie Owens.

Please note that this project is contingent upon weather conditions. If there is rain, the project dates may have to be adjusted.

Should you have any questions, please contact Chris Waldroop, Streets Supervisor, at the Public Works Department at 828-524-2516 x 405.

 

May 17, 2024

Harrison Avenue Sidewalk Construction beginning May 20

The Town of Franklin has contracted with Bryson Enterprises, Ltd to construct sidewalk on Harrison Avenue from 587 Harrison Avenue to West Main Street beginning on Monday, May 20. There will be lane reductions as construction progresses. Signage will be in place related to the closure and flaggers in place as needed. This project will take approximately 5 weeks to complete.

“The Town is committed to improving walkability and accessibility. This is the third sidewalk project to be undertaken this year and will make pedestrian travel on Harrison Avenue smoother and safer. The sidewalk on Phillips Street is now complete and allows for continuous travel from Franklin High School to Main Street and Maple Street was completed in earlier in the year,” said Town Manager Amie Owens.

Please note that this project is contingent upon weather conditions. If there is rain, the project dates may have to be adjusted.

Should you have any questions, please contact Chris Waldroop, Streets Supervisor, at the Public Works Department at 828-524-2516 x 405.

 

May 10, 2024

Fireworks Over Franklin - Friday, July 5

The Town of Franklin has had to make the decision to move the Fireworks Over Franklin to Friday, July 5th due to a change in pyrotechnic vendor. “Having worked with the same vendor for multiple years prior allowed us to have the best chance of scheduling for July 4th; however, when trying to develop a relationship with a new vendor, we are behind other established clients,” said Town Manager Amie Owens. The Town has requested permission from the Board of County Commissioners to have the fireworks display on July 5th.

Jeff Hale of Hale Artificiers, the vendor that the Town previously used, has retired and as he explained, “Like myself, a number of my older operators are simply just aging out, and try as we might, we are facing a real shortage of qualified, licensed personnel to fill the need for the busy July season. In some cases, it can take nearly a year to get new operators through the training, federal clearances, and the licensing process.”

The plan is that the Town will still host the traditional July 4th activities downtown on the 4th including the parade, Little Mr. and Mrs. Firecracker and Patriotic Pet contests, food trucks, free water and free watermelon. On July 5, we will have food trucks and live music before the fireworks and Main Street will be closing at 8:00 p.m. to allow for seating on and premium viewing from town hill. The fireworks will begin at approximately 9:45 p.m. and will be shot from the Whitmire Property.

“We know that some will be disappointed that the fireworks are on a different day, and truthfully, we are too; however, the Town is working with the new vendor to ensure that in the future, July 4th displays are possible and hope that everyone will be supportive and come to the festivities on both days this year,” said Owens.