MORRISVILLE - What are now residences and mobile homes on Carolina Street are set to be shops and offices in the future as part of Morrisville's new town center plan.

Town planners are betting on public-private partnerships, leveraging land assets and a rebounding economy to make their Main Street USA vision a reality.

Construction may be years down the road. Preliminary plans call for a civic center, children's park, public library, retail shops, offices, restaurants and townhomes in an area off Church Street between Carolina and Jeremiah streets and Town Hall Drive.

The timeline of the project hinges on a few things: Interest from developers in a public-private partnership, the sale of about 10-acres of property and the town's ability to build infrastructure such as new roads.

Morrisville owns about half the property, about 10-acres, where the downtown will be located.

The plan is to build the town center in six phases. In the first phase, Morrisville would sell about 10-acres of town-owned property to developers to build townhomes. The proceeds from that sale would be used to build roads and install sewer and water lines that would service the town center, said Ben Hitchings, the town's planning director.

"We have limited resources," Hitchings said. "We are taking the land we have and leveraging it."

In the past decade, Morrisville has spent at least $1 million on old houses and vacant lots in an effort to create a bustling town center.

Residents had a chance to weigh in on the plan at a public meeting June 30, where discussion ensued about the timing of the phasing.

Some argued that Morrisville needed to build retail first, not townhomes.

"I think they need to focus on the main street and build out from there," said Nicholle Tulve, a Morrisville resident. "The emphasis should be on building the downtown, I don't agree that we need more residential."

Building the retail and restaurant portion first is not a reliable option, because the town doesn't own the property where the shops are planned to be located.

The idea is to lure developers with the townhomes and spark interest in the nearby properties. All the property purchased would have to adhere to the zoning of "town center" which switches the uses from residential to commercial.

"We have the opportunity to have someone come in and build our downtown for us according to our town center code," Hitchings said.

Taking a poll

About a dozen residents and developers turned out for the public input meeting, the majority agreed with the need for the downtown.

"The town does not have a central gathering place other than Morrisville park," said resident James Ash.

Residents were polled on several parts of the plan, using clickers and an instant feedback system.

As each question was read, residents pressed numbered buttons with their corresponding answers. Within seconds, their responses appeared on the screen.

About 94 percent said they liked the overall plan in general.

Participants were split when it came to the townhomes. About 58 percent said they agreed with the residential use on Jeremiah Street, another 42 percent said they did not agree.

Participants also had mixed opinions on the phasing concept. Sixty-five percent agreed with the order of build out; 35 percent disagreed.

Everybody was in agreement with the idea of using the downtown for street fairs and events.

Morrisville resident Holly Hale liked the amenities that were part of the plan, namely the park and civic center.

"Overall, I thought it was well-thought out," Hale said. "Parks and civic centers I think are the lifeblood of any community. The park would attract people of all ages. It expands the opportunity for family involvement."

The next steps are to solicit developers interested in a private-public partnership, check in with Wake County about its plans for a library in Morrisville, and pursue grants for a children's park, Hitchings said.