Growth Leads to More Choices in Fayetteville

On Ramsey Street, "Coming Soon" signs are everywhere. They are signs of the times: new restaurants, new stores and new options.

Lonnie and JoAnn Smith have lived off Ramsey Street for more than 30 years. They have different opinions on the new growth spurt.

"I don't particularly like it, I liked it better when it was more rustic, not as many people around," says Lonnie.

"It would be much more convenient for me if things were closer, traffic around the mall is terrible," says JoAnn.

Ramsey Street will soon give residents in north Fayetteville more shopping options.

Coming soon: a Lowes home improvement store, new restaurants, a car wash, and strip mall. Other restaurants, pharmacies and car dealerships have recently opened all within a couple miles.

"We picked this spot for that reason, to grow with it," says one business owner.

City planners say the beginning of outer loop construction is partly the reason for the building boom.

By 2004, the road will be a straight shot from this part of town to Interstate 95.

Another reason is the housing market. New subdivisions are popping up in north Fayetteville and Cumberland County. It is one of the fasting growing areas around.

Even though Lowes will move across the street from a family hardware store, its owners still feel new growth will help their old business.

"I believe in the long run, it will probably bring more people into the area," says store owner Warren Wilkins.

When Lowes opens, traffic along Ramsey Street is expected to increase by 2,000 cars a day.

Lowes is making some improvements to the street, and additional intersection improvements are planned nearby.