Howard Street Revitalization Project: A Timeline of Progress
The Town of Boone has made steady progress over the past decade toward revitalizing one of downtown’s most important corridors—Howard Street. From initial design approval to preparing for construction, the project has gone through several key phases that reflect a long-term commitment to improving infrastructure, safety, and the pedestrian experience in the heart of downtown.
Project Milestones:
October 2015: The project began with the approval of the design phase, establishing the foundation for what would become a transformative downtown improvement effort.
March 2018: The Town approved a design addendum to include additional engineering work, lighting plans, and geotechnical exploration, further enhancing the project’s scope.
July 2018: Boone officials began pursuing funding through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), helping position the project for long-term financial support.
June 2023: A major milestone was reached when the Town secured all necessary easements, clearing the way for construction to move forward.
July 2024: The Town received authorization to go out to bid and formally advertised the project, which includes major street, utility, and pedestrian improvements across 1,500 linear feet of Howard Street. Key components include:
With an updated estimated project cost of $12–$16 million and a construction timeline of approximately 450 days, the revitalization effort represents one of Boone’s most ambitious infrastructure upgrades in recent years.
August 2024: The Town received no bids during the initial bid opening, prompting a re-advertisement of the project and the removal of the pre-bid meeting requirement to encourage wider contractor participation. A new bid opening was scheduled for October 10, 2024.
As Boone continues to grow, the Howard Street Revitalization Project reflects the Town’s dedication to creating a more accessible, attractive, and functional downtown for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.
