How should downtown Pittsboro look in the future? Here are ways to weigh in.
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- Pittsboro launches planning process to redevelop 28 acres near courthouse.
- Planners propose mixed-use growth: three-to-six story buildings, parks, housing.
- Residents can shape outcomes via street fair, November meeting and online survey.
Pittsboro residents have a rare opportunity to start building, or adding to, the downtown they want to see in the future — from new spaces for local businesses to recreation and housing for everyone.
It’s the first step in a years-long process that could transform the town based on the community’s values and priorities. Goals could include growing small businesses, for instance, while preserving the Chatham County seat’s small-town charm.
“We believe strong, meaningful community input is necessary for the success of this project, the future of these sites, and Downtown Pittsboro as a whole,” town officials said in a news release.
Over two dozen development projects are already coming to Pittsboro, including Chatham Park and Disney’s Asteria community, which together could add 60,000 residents, 22,000-plus homes and 22 million square feet of commercial space.
The pending population explosion is putting pressure on the town of 5,000 people to shore up its downtown business district, create spaces for arts and cultural offerings, and build out the infrastructure needed to handle more traffic and stormwater runoff.
The conversation now is what to do with roughly 28 acres of county- and town-owned land around downtown, much of which will be available for redevelopment as Chatham County consolidates its services at a new campus on Renaissance Drive.
The land covers several sites within walking distance of the Chatham County Historic Courthouse at the center of downtown.
County and town staff started working earlier this year with Bolton & Menk consultants to study what might be possible at each site. They’ll consider possible building placement, height and architecture, parking, stormwater controls, and other features.
Mayor Kyle Shipp told The News & Observer in July that he expects new buildings downtown to reach three to six stories tall, preserving other land and creating walkable neighborhoods near parks, schools and businesses. The growth will generate more money for town services.
The town is already making streetscape improvements, building accessible sidewalks, and, this summer, expanded the downtown social district.
The goal is “an exceptional community, one that reflects decades of thoughtful planning and a clear vision for the future,” Shipp said. Downtown Pittsboro will be “the cultural and civic heart of the community, even as new mixed-use centers take shape.”
There are several ways residents can get involved in the planning process, including a November community meeting, and through an online survey.
What properties could be redeveloped?
There are six available sites, covering a total of 22 lots and 28 acres:
- County Administrative Complex: Three buildings located southeast of the historic courthouse circle.
- ABC Store: Southwest of the courthouse circle at the corner of Sanford Road (U.S. 15-501 Business) and South Rectory Street.
- Fire Station 1: Located at Sanford Road and Womack Street. The town has not decided whether the fire department could remain at the site or be relocated.
- Pop-Up Park: The parking lot and green space between Hanks and West Salisbury streets, behind Circle City Books & Music and the Pittsboro Food Mart.
- Former Library: Now the Chatham County Tax Collection and Information Technology offices on the northeast corner of Rectory and West streets.
- McClenahan blocks: Between South Rectory and Farrell streets, south of West Street. Currently home to the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and Annex.
How to get involved
- Take the online survey at surveymonkey.com/r/SZK6CYG until 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12.
- Join a community meeting on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center, 1192 U.S. 64 West Business. Open houses with more information will be held from noon-1 p.m. and from 4-7 p.m. The project team will hold a presentation and question-and-answer session at 6 p.m.
- Residents can also attend local government meetings when the downtown visioning project is on the agenda, including the Pittsboro Downtown Advisory Board, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners, and the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners. Check the Town of Pittsboro and Chatham County websites for more information.
What are the next steps?
- There is no timeline for developing each of the sites, but planning and construction could take 20 years or more.
- Consultants will review the community’s ideas, market studies and existing conditions to come up with different ways that each site could be redeveloped.
- The town and county will reach out to potential developers with a final proposal for each site and negotiate development agreements and required permits to start construction.
This story was originally published October 24, 2025 at 3:55 PM with the headline "How should downtown Pittsboro look in the future? Here are ways to weigh in.."
