DOWNTOWN WAXHAW

MASTER PLAN

Downtown Master Plan Adopted

Waxhaw’s Downtown Master Plan was officially adopted by the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

View the Final Downtown Master Plan

What is the Downtown Waxhaw Master Plan?

Downtown Waxhaw is at a pivotal moment. Our community is growing—bringing exciting new possibilities, but also challenges that we must address thoughtfully and together.

To help guide this change, the Town of Waxhaw and the Downtown Waxhaw Association have partnered with The Boudreaux Group to create a Downtown Master Plan—a roadmap for the next 5–10 years that will help us shape the future of Downtown Waxhaw in a way that reflects our community values.

This plan isn’t about changing who we are—it’s about protecting what makes Waxhaw special, while preparing for the future in a responsible, balanced, and sustainable way.

Why does the Downtown Master Plan Matter?

Growth is inevitable—but how we grow is up to us. This plan focuses on preserving our historic charm while planning for thoughtful, community-focused development.
The plan will provide clear policy guidance to help Town leaders make decisions that align with our shared goals.
From parking and lighting to walkability and accessibility, the plan will outline key priorities and how to implement them.
The plan identifies opportunities to strengthen Downtown Waxhaw’s business environment, support entrepreneurship, encourage redevelopment, and create long-term economic sustainability.
Residents, business owners, and stakeholders are actively involved in shaping the plan, ensuring it reflects a wide range of voices.
With measurable goals and a 10-year action framework, we’ll be able to track our progress and adapt as needed—together.
As part of Waxhaw’s FY25 Capital Improvement Plan, the Downtown Master Plan will focus on:
- Thoughtful infill development that complements existing architecture
- Parking strategies and streetscape lighting enhancements
- Improved accessibility and walkability
- A 10-year roadmap with clear goals, action steps, and metrics

Explore Waxhaw’s

Downtown Master Plan

download NOW

***Downtown Master Plan* ➜ *Project Updates***

The Downtown Master Plan is a long-term guide for future decision-making and implementation. Not every recommendation or project will happen immediately, and some concepts may evolve over time based on funding, partnerships, engineering, public input, and Board priorities.
Implementation will occur gradually through:
- Capital improvement projects
- Streetscape and infrastructure investments
- Public-private partnerships
- Downtown redevelopment opportunities
- Transportation and pedestrian improvements
- Beautification and public art projects
- Economic development initiatives
- Annual Downtown Waxhaw Association workplans
- Grant funding opportunities
Some projects may move quickly, while others could take years to fully develop and implement.
The plan is intended to remain flexible and evolve alongside Downtown Waxhaw and community priorities.
While the Downtown Master Plan was recently adopted, several projects and initiatives already align with the plan’s guiding principles and recommendations, including:
- Downtown water and infrastructure improvements
- Pedestrian and streetscape enhancements
- Public art initiatives and crosswalk murals
- Downtown parking and connectivity discussions
- Safe Streets for All (SS4A) planning and implementation
- Downtown redevelopment and business recruitment efforts
- Beautification and placemaking projects
- Downtown events and activation efforts
The Town and Downtown Waxhaw Association will continue working collaboratively to prioritize projects and identify funding opportunities that support implementation over time.
The Downtown Master Plan was shaped through extensive public engagement, stakeholder conversations, business outreach, surveys, workshops, and community meetings conducted throughout the planning process.
➜ 300+ survey responses from residents, business owners & stakeholders
➜ 4 public input sessions held (including one with Waxhaw’s elected officials)
➜ Focus groups on key topics like:
- Arts & culture
- Historic preservation
- Young professionals
- Food trucks & local dining
- Property ownership & entrepreneurship
➜ Draft plan refined using survey results, focus group feedback, and community input sessions.
Thank you to everyone who participated!
We’ve heard questions, so let’s be clear:
✅ It’s a guide, not a checklist. It helps leaders, property owners, and partners make smarter, coordinated decisions.
✅ It emphasizes partnerships, grants & incremental investments (not all taxpayer-funded).
❌ It’s not a commitment to fund every project.
❌ It’s not a “build it tomorrow” list.
❌ It’s not a residential development plan.
❌ It’s not a traffic or transportation plan (those issues are being addressed separately).

Here’s where things stand:

We know plans like this can spark questions—and sometimes, concerns. Here’s what you need to know about what the Downtown Master Plan is (and isn’t).

No. The plan is a vision and a guide, not a construction schedule. It outlines possibilities and strategies the Town and partners can pursue over the next 5–10 years, based on funding, partnerships, and community priorities.
Not necessarily. Many recommendations rely on public–private partnerships, grants, and outside investment—not solely on taxpayer funding. The plan helps identify creative ways to bring projects to life.
No. The Downtown Master Plan does not address residential development. It focuses on making downtown more connected, walkable, and commercially vibrant while preserving Waxhaw’s history.
Our small town has grown quickly, and downtown plays a big role in balancing our tax base, supporting local businesses, and ensuring growth benefits everyone.
Master plans like this are a standard tool in communities everywhere because they help:
- Align the community’s vision so we’re proactive instead of reactive.
- Prevent scattershot development by setting clear design guidelines & land use priorities.
- Strengthen our local economy in ways that ease the tax burden on residents.
- Position the town for outside grants and funding, which is how many projects actually get paid for.
- Provide leverage for improving business mix: Armed with professional concepts & empirical data, community leaders can more effectively advocate with property owners & developers for desired businesses that align with community needs & preferences.
Without a plan, change happens without direction. With one, we can protect what we love while improving what we need.
Once finalized, the plan will guide decision-making for years to come—helping the Town and its partners prioritize projects, seek funding, and measure progress. It’s a living document that can evolve with the community.