N.C. State's Hillsborough Street gets revamped

It does not take more than one visit to UNC to understand the importance of Franklin Street to campus life and University history.

Many students see it as the heart of the University’s social life as students rush Franklin Street to celebrate everything from Halloween to winning basketball games.

With the grand opening of Hillsborough Street at N.C. State University last weekend, Thomas H. Stafford, Jr., vice-chancellor for student affairs at N.C. State, said he hopes the street will have similar significance for students at NCSU.

After the city spent $10 million and 10 years in planning the street’s renovations, administrators hope students will flock to Hillsborough Street the way that they flock to Franklin.

“Now there is no comparison,” said Stafford.

Reconstruction has transformed how the community uses and sees the street, said Jeff Murison, executive director of the Hillsborough Street Community Service Corporation.

“There has been an overwhelming reaction,” Murison said.

He said Hillsborough Street has an opportunity for development and growth because of its length and the surrounding attractions.

Franklin Street is a well-developed brand and has a main street feel, he said.

“They are similar in that both streets are on the edge of wonderful universities,” Stafford said.

The goals were to improve the quality of life for the community by creating an environment that has economically sustainable businesses, improved traffic flow, safety for pedestrians and a foundation for further development, Murison said.

The renovated street includes two roundabouts to decrease traffic jams, sidewalks, more parking, and five new businesses — two high-end restaurants, a bar, a lunch restaurant and a smoothie establishment, Murison said.

Chris Crawley, manager of the Pita Pit that opened on Aug. 12, said business has continued to grow on the newly renovated street.

“We decided to open on Hillsborough Street after seeing a demand,” he said.

Students are excited to see the changes on the street, Stafford said.

“Hillsborough is definitely easier to drive on because the restructuring of the streets has made the traffic flow more efficient,” said Sarah Flowers, a junior at NCSU.

Hillsborough Street is a gateway entrance to the capital city and capital building downtown, Murison said.

“It definitely brought in more businesses that students can go to,” NCSU junior Matt Korff said.

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.