Lumberton Presents Master Plan for Downtown Growth Through 2040

Lumberton officials unveiled a master plan Thursday. The document maps out development through 2040. Planners want 110 to 160 apartments, between 12,400 and 18,600 square feet of office buildings, 30,000 to 45,000 square feet for shops, and 10 to 20 vacation rentals.

Three zones anchor the strategy. The Plaza sits at the heart. The Lumber River waterfront stretches along one edge, while the Courthouse Square occupies another section. Benchmark crafted the blueprint after gathering input from more than 400 surveys and conducting over 100 interviews with residents.

"This is not just a study, it's not just a collection of ideas or renderings," said Downtown Development Coordinator Sarah Beth Ward, per The Robesonian. "This is our road map, it's built from data, it's shaped by community input and grounded in real opportunity."

Since 2022, the city has watched over $15 million flow in. Public money mixed with private dollars. City officials awarded $150,000 through Facade Improvement Grants, which sparked $400,000 more in spending, rescued six buildings, and birthed eight new shops.

Mayor Bruce Davis called the plan "a world of information we can use." Federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe became law in December 2024, and this will shape future projects, though no one knows exactly how yet.

The Plaza area could get a permanent Farmer's Market building on its south end. A shared kitchen might let people rent space for cooking. Upper floors in old buildings could become homes while stores stay open below.

Water Street holds promise. City property and county land line the river, waiting for a new purpose. One idea plants restaurants facing the water, creating what planners call a "front porch" of dining spots.