“We like to think of ourselves as one of the most welcoming, inclusive and diverse towns in the entire United States,” says Mayor TJ Cawley. The numbers support his claim. Morrisville’s population is 42 percent Asian, 37 percent White, and 13 percent Black or African American, with a median household income of $125,404. The town celebrates this diversity through monthly events like Holi, Pride, Juneteenth, its signature “Red, White, and Boom” July 3rd, Diwali, and Hannukah. Its central location puts residents within 20 minutes of Chapel Hill, 15 minutes of Raleigh, with walkable access to major business parks including Perimeter Park and the newly opened 400-acre Gateway Overlay District. “We’re simply a very friendly community” Mayor Cawley adds. CREATING A DOWNTOWN FROM SCRATCH Unlike most towns that evolve around a historic center, Morrisville is doing something different: creating its first downtown from the ground up. The ambitious, 25-acre project, nearly two decades in the making, received final development agreement approval in September 2024, and celebrated its groundbreaking in September 2025 in partnership with Singh Development LLC. “This is a downtown that never existed,” explains Brandon Zuidema, Town Manager. The first phase includes a Town Green with stage and small amphitheater, eight 1,250 square foot cottage retail units, and 215 multifamily residential units surrounding a parking deck with 100 designated public spaces. The town is targeting particular businesses —like coffee shops, bakeries, and small breweries—to create a vibrant, walkable destination.The downtown will connect to three greenways and integrate with existing amenities like the Morrisville Community Library, Indian Creek Trailhead, and recently opened dog park. “We’re hoping for a seven-day opportunity for people to come and enjoy the downtown,” Town Manager Zuidema adds. The town center aims to give Morrisville a recognizable heart that reflects its growing reputation as a diverse, thriving community. 125 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 10 MORRISVILLE, NC
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