The last time a major road in Hendersonville was given a makeover, it was Main Street about a decade ago.

The same thing is set to happen at the end of the month -- this time to Seventh Avenue. It’s set for a temporary, but full closure for the project’s start on Jan. 29.

“We’re excited to get it going,” Hendersonville Community Development Director Lew Holloway said. “I think the vast majority of the business owners in the district are excited to get it going.”

The streetscape project’s focus will be on improving the stretch for pedestrians. Most of the work will take place on Seventh Avenue between Grove and Maple streets.

“Sewer lines, water lines, a lot of that kind of infrastructure will be replaced during this process,” Holloway said. “As you imagine, a lot of it’s old because the street is old.”

Those renovations, and the full closure of Seventh Avenue will take place for three-four months, which is sure to affect business in the area.

“A full street closure in a business district is going to be very disruptive for business,” Independent Bean Roasters co-owner Matthew Hickman said. “That’s a fact.”

However, property and business owners see the positives of the final product.

“I couldn’t be happier with the final design,” Hickman said. “This is going to be a huge improvement. The look and the feel of Seventh Avenue will resonate beyond the district.”

Hickman, who’s part of the Seventh Avenue Advisory Committee, said the city has been transparent and clear about its plans to not just improve the road in a timely fashion, but also help businesses as much as possible.

And the owners already have ideas to take their sales beyond Seventh.

“We might go down a block here from the plaza and do a pop-up market where people can get to us,” Hickman said. “We can have our own mini market set up.”

Once the full closure period ends, partial closings could happen for another three-four months. The entire project is slated to be completed by the end of 2024.

“The consensus is that we’re ready for this to happen,” Hickman said. “This is the right time, and let’s get it done. This is going to be a huge improvement for the district. We are downtown, and we’re proud of that, but we’re different. Just wait and see.

A public input meeting is set to take place about the project from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at the Historic Railroad Depot.

 

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSBusinesses brace as 7th Ave in Hendersonville to close at end of month for renovations | WLOS