Waynesville revitalization project targets redevelopment, economy: ‘Planning with purpose’
Fri, July 24, 2026 at 5:34 PM
UpdatedFri, July 24, 2026 at 5:59 PM
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JULY 24, 2026 – Construction on a new building in Waynesville, N.C. (Photo: WLOS Staff)
WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) —Nearly two years ago, a dilapidated building, once known as Sutton Automotive, was demolished, paving the way for new opportunities in the empty lot
“This used to be an automotive repair place. The building had gone into disrepair; it was becoming sort of a hazard, so the town and the property worked together to take down the building. We’ve cleaned it up to the extent that we can, and now this lot is for sale,” said Elizabeth Teague, development services director for the Town of Waynesville, about the empty lot
DEMOLITION UNDERWAY AT SUTTON AUTOMOTIVE BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN WAYNESVILLE
The demolition is all part of the town’s 2035 Comprehensive Plan: Planning with Purpose. The plan that was adopted in 2020 targeted the area of South Main Street
“This was an area in our comprehensive plan that we targeted for redevelopment and economic opportunity,” Teague said.
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Along with the demolition of the former automotive site, a new building housing new businesses has been built on the South Main Street corridor. The new building will feature four restaurants, a Dunkin’, Jersey Mike’s and an AT&T store
Teague says the town has seen more investment in South Main Street since the comprehensive plan
“We certainly have seen a lot of investments since the comprehensive plan in South Main Street. People are very excited with, like, Cookout and the new building that’s going on just down the road,” Teague said
NEW DOWNTOWN WAYNESVILLE BUILDING AIMS TO BOOST TOURISM, ECONOMY
Teague says she believes the excitement for the projects being developed will help create a positive atmosphere for more investments
“That, to me, will create an atmosphere where other properties such as this one create new investment that people are excited about,” Teague said
Across the street from the new building sits the local bar Assembly on Main Street. Bar manager Luke Shuping has worked in the building where Assembly on Main sits for five years, when it was BearWaters Brewing Co., and recently took over as bar manager for Assembly on Main Street. Shuping says he hopes the new developments on South Main Street bring in more foot traffic
JULY 24, 2026 – Construction on a new building in Waynesville, N.C. (Photo: WLOS Staff)
“I think it’ll be great for our business. The more the merrier,” Shuping said. “If we can get some more around here, then it’ll help every business around here.”
Shuping has only one concern with the project
“The only fear I have is more traffic on the road out here. The South Main right out in front of us,” Shuping said
Teague says the former site of Sutton Automotive could create space for more housing or business opportunities on South Main Street, with the goal of the new building being finished and a few of the new businesses opened by the end of 2026
