Our Projects

Downtown Elon is the vibrant centerpiece of the community with a strong town-gown relationship with the University of Elon, serving residents, students, and visitors alike. Since the 2014 Downtown Master Plan, the Town has become a North Carolina Main Street community and has initiated events and policy changes to strengthen Downtown as the center for activity, retail, and art in Elon. The long-term success of Downtown has been guided by the volunteer leadership of the former Downtown Advisory Committee that is now Downtown Elon, Inc, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization charged with improving downtown. The organization is led by a Board of Directors and the Downtown Development Director, a position that is funded by the Town of Elon and Elon University. The organization’s volunteers and staff have worked to help retain small businesses, generate downtown activities, and bring new investment to Downtown Elon. In order to keep this momentum going, the Town of Elon hired Benchmark in October of 2022 to work closely with Town officials, residents, downtown business owners, students, and University officials to develop the Downtown Master Plan. The Master Plan, which includes a background assessment and market analysis, conceptual streetscape redesigns, and redevelopment scenarios, was adopted by Town Council in September 2023.