The Town of Mocksville continues to make meaningful progress on its Comprehensive Plan Update and Downtown Master Plan, with the third downtown workshop held on April 20, 2026. This ongoing effort

The Town of Mocksville continues to make meaningful progress on its Comprehensive Plan Update and Downtown Master Plan, with the third downtown workshop held on April 20, 2026. This ongoing effort, led in partnership with Benchmark Planning, is designed to guide the town’s future while preserving the character and charm that make Mocksville unique. A Roadmap for Mocksville’s Future The Comprehensive Plan serves as a long-term “roadmap” for the town, evaluating development trends, infrastructure needs, and community input to guide future decisions. It establishes a vision for expansion, growth, land use, and investment across Mocksville. Working alongside it, the Downtown Master Plan focuses specifically on the future of downtown—identifying opportunities, challenges, and strategies to strengthen it as the heart of the community. “This process is about making thoughtful, informed decisions today that will shape Mocksville for years to come,” said Lee Rollins, town manager. “We want to ensure that as we evolve, we do so in a way that protects our small-town character while creating new opportunities for residents, businesses, and visitors.” Together, these plans aim to: Support sustained business and industry advancement Strengthen and revitalize the historic downtown Encourage compatible infill development Enhance walkability and connectivity Invest strategically in infrastructure and public services Build a strong and authentic tourism economy Community-Driven Planning Process The plans are being developed through a collaborative process led by Benchmark Planning, working closely with the Planning Board, the Downtown Mocksville Collaborative, and the community through surveys and public workshops. “A strong plan starts with listening,” said Jason Epley, AICP, president of Benchmark Planning. “The ideas and priorities we’re hearing from residents are directly shaping the recommendations we’re bringing forward for downtown Mocksville.”  Feedback gathered so far highlights what matters most to the community, including: Downtown character and appearance Walkability and connectivity Parking and streetscape improvements Public spaces, events, and placemaking Support for small businesses and local markets Preservation of history and identity A Vision for Downtown Mocksville At the center of the planning effort is a clear goal: Strengthen and revitalize Mocksville’s historic downtown as a vibrant economic and social hub while preserving its unique character. “Downtown is the heart of Mocksville—it’s where our community comes together,” said Town Manager Lee Rollins. “This plan is about building on that foundation and creating a downtown that continues to serve our residents while also welcoming new energy and investment.” Key objectives shaping the Downtown Master Plan include: Maintaining downtown as the heart of the community Prioritizing reinvestment, adaptive reuse, and infill development Creating pedestrian-friendly streets  Making strategic public investments to attract private development Encouraging high-quality design that reflects Mocksville’s identity Key Concepts and Opportunities The workshop presented refined concepts developed by Benchmark Planning, informed by community input and best practices. Several focus areas emerged: Strengthening Gateways and First Impressions Key entry points into Mocksville and downtown are being evaluated for improvements that enhance aesthetics, signage, and a sense of arrival—especially important for residents and visitors alike. “Gateways are the first impression people have of a community,” Dylan McKnight, AICP, director of Urban Design, Benchmark Planning, noted. “By enhancing these areas, Mocksville can create a stronger sense of place and identity from the moment someone arrives.” Enhancing Walkability and Connectivity Draft conceptual plans emphasize safer, more inviting pedestrian connections throughout downtown, including improved sidewalks, streetscapes, and connections between key destinations. Reimagining The Square Draft design concepts for The Square include: Improved traffic flow, parking, and safety Enhanced public gathering areas in each of the four quads More efficient use of the four corners for pedestrian space and outdoor seating These changes aim to create a more vibrant, people-centered downtown experience. “We’re exploring ways for The Square to become more than just a place you drive through,” said Rollins. “It has the potential to be a true gathering space where people want to spend time.”  Expanding Downtown with Infill Development Opportunities for new housing and mixed-use development—particularly near Depot Street and west of Main Street—would help meet housing needs while strengthening surrounding neighborhoods. Creating Destination Spaces Concepts include: Public plazas and gathering spaces Event and music venues Enhanced parks and cultural connections These features would support community life and attract visitors. “Creating spaces for people to gather—whether it’s for events, dining, or everyday interaction—is key to a thriving downtown,” McKnight shared. “These types of investments help support both quality of life and economic vitality.” Addressing Parking Needs The plan explores options to increase parking capacity while improving access and walkability, including potential new surface lots and structured parking near downtown. View the Presentation  The full presentation from the workshop can be viewed here: https://planmocksville.com/images/Mocksville/Dowtnown_Workshop_3_043202026_web.pdf Looking Ahead The planning process will continue over the coming months with additional opportunities for public input. Next steps include: Planning Board and Downtown Collaborative meetings in May and June Additional community input meetings in late June Formal adoption of the plans is anticipated between July and September “We encourage everyone to stay involved,” said Rollins. “The more input we receive, the stronger this plan will be and the better it will reflect the vision of our community.”  Stay Involved Community input remains a vital part of this process. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to stay engaged and share feedback as Mocksville plans for a thoughtful and vibrant future. Learn about the full planning process at https://www.planmocksville.com/. The post Mocksville Continues Planning for the Future with Downtown Workshop #3 appeared first on Mocksville NC.