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Public Works

Downtown Streetscape Improvement

Community EngagementOpen for feedback

Rebuilding Main Street from Second to Walnut with wider sidewalks, trees, lighting, and safer crossings.

Downtown Franklin’s Main Street is the civic and commercial heart of the city. The pavement, sidewalks, and lighting are more than forty years old, and residents have asked for safer crossings, shade, and space to walk. This project will reconstruct Main Street between Second Street and Walnut Street. Work includes new sidewalks, curb extensions at crossings, street trees, pedestrian lighting, and replacement of aging water and storm lines under the street. Construction is expected to begin in 2027. Before then, the City is asking residents to help choose the streetscape character, tree species, and crossing locations.

Comments (3)Contact the project manager

Comments

Public discussion

No account needed. Comments are public and visible on this page as soon as you post.

Tom Hale

Curb extensions are fine if you do not take the loading zone in front of Hale Hardware. We need that for deliveries.

Amara Diallo

I walk my kids to school on this street. The crossing at Fourth is the one that scares me. Lighting will help, but we need a raised crossing.

Jane Ellis

Please keep the brick accents at the corners. That is one of the few things that still feels like Franklin and not a generic main street.

James Wright, Public WorksCity staff

Noted. Brick banding at corners is in both concepts. We will keep it in the preferred alternative.

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Timeline

Where this project stands

Citywide timeline

  1. Jul 12, 2025

    Walkability audit

    Field review of sidewalks, ramps, and crossings.

    Complete

  2. May 28, 2026

    Concept alternatives

    Two streetscape characters presented to the public.

    Complete

  3. Aug 27, 2026

    Public survey and open house

    Choose lighting, trees, and crossing locations.

    Now

  4. Sep 30, 2026

    Council concept selection

    Staff recommendation based on resident feedback.

    Upcoming

  5. Dec 14, 2026

    Detailed design

    Upcoming

  6. May 23, 2027

    Construction

    Phased by block to keep businesses open.

    Upcoming

Closed loop

You said. We did.

You said

62% preferred Concept B

62% preferred Concept B: warmer pedestrian lighting along the sidewalk, with lower roadway fixtures. Residents also asked for lighting at the alley between Third and Fourth.

We did

The City selected Concept B and added a pedestrian light in the Third–Fourth alley. Roadway lighting will remain, at a lower height.

Why. Crash data showed two after-dark pedestrian incidents near Fourth Street. Sidewalk lighting was the highest-ranked night-safety request from residents and downtown employees who walk to their cars.

Survey

Downtown streetscape survey

Help choose the look of Main Street: lighting, trees, seating, and where crossings should go. Takes about 7 minutes.

Closes September 6, 2026

1.How often do you visit downtown Franklin?
2.What should the streetscape prioritize? Rank your top items.

Assign a priority number. 1 is the highest.

Shade and trees
Wider sidewalks
Safer crossings
Outdoor seating
On-street parking
Bike lanes
3.Which lighting character do you prefer?
4.Which street trees should we plant?
5.How safe do you feel crossing Main Street today?
Not safeVery safe
6.Anything else we should know?

Idea board

What should this include?

Submit an idea

Location

Main Street, Downtown

Main Street between Second and Walnut, Franklin, OH

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Questions

Ask the project team

Will the city compensate businesses for lost sales during construction?

Patricia Yoon

Maria ChenCity response

Ohio law does not provide a general construction-loss payment. We will fund a downtown ambassador, shared marketing, and maintain access to every door. A draft business-support plan will be posted before Council action.

Are bike lanes part of this project or a later one?

Owen Grant

James WrightCity response

A protected bike lane is not in the current budget. A painted buffer can be added if Council directs it after this survey. It would remove some parking.

Meetings

  • Downtown streetscape open house

    Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 5:30 PM · Franklin Public Library, 200 Main Street

Updates

  • August 13, 2026 · James Wright

    Survey extended through September 6

    At the request of downtown businesses, the streetscape survey will remain open through September 6. Paper copies are at City Hall and the library.

  • July 29, 2026 · James Wright

    Concept B selected for lighting — trees still open

    Based on the first 400 survey responses, staff is recommending warmer pedestrian lighting. Tree species and curb extension locations remain open for comment.

Documents

  • Downtown walkability audit

    2024 field review of sidewalks, ramps, and crossings.

    pdf

  • Streetscape concept boards

    Concept A and Concept B comparison.

    pdf

FAQs

Will businesses stay open during construction?

Yes. Construction will be phased by block. Each frontage will have a walkable path and loading access. A business liaison will be assigned before work starts.

Will this add parking?

The project is not designed to add parking. It keeps existing on-street spaces except where curb extensions are added at crossings. Those locations are part of this survey.

When would construction start?

If Council selects a concept this fall, detailed design would run through 2027, with construction in 2027–2028.

Gallery

Project team

  • James WrightProject manager
  • Elena VasquezUrban design lead
  • Sofia ReyesPublic engagement

Budget

$12,400,000

City capital funds, Ohio Public Works Commission, and a federal TAP grant