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Rather than dealing with harried, bumper-to-bumper traffic and searching frantically for a hard-to-find parking space, getting around Cherokee could soon be a pleasant experience.
Cherokee's new master plan, approved Jan. 10 by Tribal Council, calls for transportation alternatives in the form of a trolley system and river walkways.
Those who designed the master plan want to make access easier for local residents. Plus, the Eastern Band of Cherokee would like to attract more family-oriented businesses and increase the reservation's economic vitality.
A common element found in most successful tourism-supported business districts is that tourists can park their vehicles and walk or ride to a variety of shops, restaurants and amusements, said Susie Jones, the tribe's Economic and Community Development Division executive director. As it stands now in Cherokee, it is difficult to visit more than a few establishments before having to drive to the next destination, she said.
That's because Cherokee has three disconnected areas of commercial activity: 1) Saunooke Village on the north end; 2) the intersection of U.S. 441-19 on the south end; and, 3) the middle of the Cherokee business district along U.S. 441 from the Ceremonial Grounds south to near Peter's Pancake House to the north.
"A trolley system could connect these three areas," said Jones. The 30-foot trolleys would run on pavement and cost between $225,000 to $275,000 each.
The master plan recommends that during peak tourist season six trolleys should operate, using three major and six minor trolley stops. Major trolley stops could be located at the proposed public parking lots. The plan recommends covered and enclosed shelters with rest room facilities, benches, trash receptacles, maps and area information at these stops. These major stops would cost approximately $120,000, excluding the cost of bringing utilities to the site.
Minor stops could be developed along other areas of public concentrations, such as the Oconaluftee River Park and Saunooke Village. Their cost would be approximately $50,000, again excluding the utilities cost.
Cherokee also plans to use the Oconaluftee River as the focal point for riverwalks and greenways.
"We know many tourists come to our area because of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park," Jones said of the nation's most-visited park system. "Because they are here for the natural environment experience, we plan to extend that concept to a public park area around the Oconaluftee."
A riverwalk/greenway link is proposed on both banks with access to the existing Oconaluftee Island Park. A series of pedestrian plazas with benches, lighting and river overlooks would be spaced along the greenways. Railing fabricated with Cherokee colors and icons is also proposed.
The master plan shows four separate riverwalks, the first located at the north end of town extending from the national park boundary downstream to an area across the river from the high school football stadium. This riverwalk would be roughly 3,500 linear feet and could cost approximately $1.5 million.
A second riverwalk is proposed along the river across from the Pageant Hills Motel to the Dairy Queen. The length of this greenway is roughly 1,200 linear feet and is estimate at $500,000.
A third riverwalk is proposed extending from the legal offices on Acquoni Road, downstream and crossing over to the north end of the Oconaluftee Island. This segment is approximately 1,000 linear feet and could cost around $500,000. A pedestrian bridge crossing over the east fork of the river would increase that price.
The fourth riverwalk extends along the west river bank between the War Memorial Park south to the developments at the U.S. 441-19 intersection. An additional pedestrian bridge over the river to the northwest end of the island park is proposed. This bridge would provide direct connection to a proposed trolley stop in front on the current Bureau of Indian Affairs office. This greenway length is about 2,000 feet and, including the bridge, and would cost around $800,000.
"As part of this, we would like to build picnic shelters with fireplaces near the island park. That's a continuation of our theme of attracting families," said Jones, who said she is promoting this master plan to provide an enhanced visual experience for entire families, as well as spur economic activity.
Next Week: What's already in the works.
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