Many of the new shopping centers in Raleigh have banned buses from coming on their grounds. The developers argue this is because buses risk pedestrian safety (although, Raleigh buses are some of the safest), but others are very aware that this is fueled by racist and classist motives. Chris Estes, executive director of the North Carolina Housing Coalition, makes the point that shopping centers are designed to attract people to come work and shop, public transportation can only help with that end goal. The framing of public transportation is somehow dangerous is a distraction for the real motives behind the bans.
This trend is not unique to Raleigh, but part of a disturbing nation wide trend. In Buffalo NY, 2.5 million dollars was awarded to the family of a girl crossing the road, as the result of a mall restricting bus access. Negligent planning on the developers part should not become the city’s problem and serving the city’s population as a whole is important for any shopping center.
The Raleigh Shopping Centers that have banned city Buses
- Towne North Shopping Center LLC
- Brier Creek Commons
- Brennan Station
- Bent Tree on Falls
Six years ago, the vast shopping center at Brier Creek got Raleigh’s approval on a condition from city planners: Allow bus access in the future.
Brier Creek’s developers agreed to “reasonable” access in writing, but the firm wrote back four years later saying bus stops were a poor fit. That leaves some workers and customers with a quarter-mile walk across the asphalt.
The apparent turnaround is getting new scrutiny as Raleigh works to get buses inside shopping centers that prohibit Capital Area Transit. In hindsight, officials wish they had used Brier Creek’s 2001 letter when the shopping center balked.
“Our staff obviously did not go and search that record,“ City Manager Russell Allen said. “If they’d found that letter, that would have helped us a lot.“
Fortunately Mayor Meeker is investigating and we can only hope that these Malls are forced to open up. When developers rapidly expand cities without over site, there is little regard for the local residents and the community as a whole. Poor traffic design, no regard for environmental impact, and scant green areas are all side effects of developer’s profit driven goals.
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