News
Mayor’s ‘State of City’
This afternoon Mayor Meeker gave a speech- the state of the city. Looking forward Meeker put priorities in public art, transportation, energy-efficient lighting and our water crisis. Mayor Meeker’s State of the City
RBC Centura Headquarters, Plaza Condominiums: Mixed-Use Project Reflects Downtown Raleigh Context
Any poetic qualities of the new RBC Plaza come out here, on the Boylan Bridge at twilight: the building’s ability to mirror it’s surroundings is becoming evident as the glass sheathing rises up towards the spire, reflecting the sunset in an otherwise darkening lineup of familiar downtown Raleigh buildings.
Raleigh Home Builders: Proportion, Please
An architect pal on the West Coast beats back the demands of megalomaniac clients with three words: “Proportion, proportion, proportion.” Why, I wonder, does this mantra work for my friend in the way-out-west, but can’t get traction here in Raleigh? Let me tell you about the fantabulous fortress that just went up in my neighborhood ...
ReNew Raleigh: Manufactured Consent
ReNew Raleigh is an old group with a new name consisting of developers and others in the real-estate industry that have aggressively pursued their brand of McMansion redevelopment in Raleigh. This past week signs pushing ReNew Raleigh popped up in developer yards and on commercial property around the city. We have seen moves like this before from big real estate. The money behind development is gargantuan and organized to lobby city governments for their interests. ReNew Raleigh is not the first attempt at manufactured grass-roots. Previously you probably saw commercials for “Stop The NC Home Tax” with Angie, the PR Agent come homely mother and simpleton homeowner. ReNew Raleigh is no different, its as fake as the contributions these homes make to their respective communities.
Southeast Raleigh’s Pending Wal-Mart Canceled
Yesterday Walmart announced they would be significantly slowing expansion in 2008, canceling over half of 270 planned new stores. One of the canceled stores was planned for south east Raleigh. WRAL quotes one citizen: “Southeast Raleigh is being left out in the wilderness, so to speak,” said resident Dwight Spencer. ... “We were looking at Wal-Mart as a hope” But this kind of philosophy is disheartening at best.
Raleigh McMansion Battle Royale
There is one statement from a local Raleigh developer that sums up the campaign of the infill-standards opposition group: “Your retirement nest egg will definitely be adversely affected.” More below the fold…
Raleigh Tear Downs: The Oaks at Fallon Park
There are many more factors involved besides the scale of tear-down redevelopments. Obviously, opposite sides can’t agree on the tear-down discussion. That said, I am going to quickly propose a development integrity rating system to evaluate whole developments or single tear-down-rebuilds. Our guinea pig: The Oaks at Fallon Park >>
Hillsborough and Morgan Roundabout Consensus: Put Community First
The group in attendance at the December 11th roundabout hearing advanced the need for a more comprehensive, community-focused plan for the Hillsborough and Morgan street intersection. None of the proposed plans have successfully addressed the community’s initial concerns—slower speeds, better pedestrian access, and less traffic. This project began as a community enhancement project rather than a transit project. The project thus far has catered to the opposite—traffic management with community and pedestrian impact as second priority. Read more and see the rejected plans >>
Planning Commission Paralyzed
A dubious debate always ensues on the issue of tear downs in Raleigh. Individual and group opinion tends to be polemic to the point there is no room for middle ground or civil conversation. Community SCALE, as well as many aware citizens, are in support of regulation that works to tame profit-focused developers who publicly disregard neighborhood character. Real estate and many in the market for these homes think they are improving the neighborhoods. Effective regulation is abstracted by numbers, measurements, codes and jargon—and thus difficult to define. Economics ultimately inform the choices of builders and one thing seems overtly clear: the money behind much of the new residential building, both in design and consequent purchase, is devoid of taste. Planners take a pass on this one
Roundabout Design Problem: A Better Solution Is Needed
Raleigh city council is holding a public hearing on Tuesday, December 11 at the Pullen Park Arts Center to review the proposed roundabout design for the intersection of Hillsborough and Morgan streets. This will be the fourth hearing on the contested roundabout design. At the first hearing the engineering firm PBS&J met with a critical review from the individuals in attendance. Among other concerns, the major issue was that the design would ineffectually increase traffic flow rather than calm it—which was the original intent. Read more and view the animation>>
Dan Douglas’ Predictions for the Future of Downtown
Daniel Douglas has since 2002 been integral to the development of downtown Raleigh. Through his role as Manager of the Urban Design Center, he is the go-to man for all matters for the City Council and the Planning Department. Douglas was key in the drafting and implementation of the Livable Streets plan in 2002. Most recently, Douglas traveled throughout Europe funded by the Eisenhower Fellowship program. In Europe, he was able to study many new breakthroughs in urban design, sustainability, and transit systems with professionals from around the world. I joined Dan at the Raleigh Times to talk about his experience with the fellowship and what he sees in store for downtown.
Majority of Wake County Supports the Transfer Tax
Public Policy Poll released a new Poll about Transfer Tax support in Wake County. Among likely voters in our rapidly growing county, a Transfer Tax is supported 49% to 40% opposing. This makes sense with the heightened awareness of growth problems in the area. As our green space is gobbled by sprawl, our infrastructure needs reinforcement to handle our burgeoning size. That is not disputed by either side of the debate. See What is Disputed below the Fold
Restaurant, Nightclub or Church
At the corner of Dawson and Cabarrus Streets in the Warehouse District is a fantastic building that has been occupied by various tenants over the years. A restaurant called The Warehouse used to be in the space a couple of years ago and the most recent tenant was Paul’s Catering. It has large open plan spaces, a dance floor and various other highly sought out amenities. It reminds one of the spaces that big city mobsters may meet at night for cigars and whiskey. Paul’s seemed to be having business problems and today’s evidence proves that. A real estate sign has been placed on the sidewalk adjacent to the front entrance and it simply states: Available Restaurant, Nightclub, or Church. Oh, the irony. Read more
Too Big?: Guess We’ll Find Out In January
The proposed text change (05-2007) that would adjust the zoning standards for new residential buildings and renovations in Raleigh has been postponed until January. The new Raleigh city council will be voting on it at that time. The text change will probably have a better chance of passing at that time since the new council could be more progressive than the current. Click here for more info.
Raleigh Property Values Jump 49%
It has been 8 years since the last assessment of property values in Wake County and it shows via the new numbers that were released this week. Various news outlets are producing different numbers for the county average as a whole, but one thing is certain; Raleigh-proper led all surrounding towns with a 49% increase. See More Dollar Signs Here
Too Big?: City Council Might Say So
On Tuesday city council will hold a public hearing to debate a significant adjustment to the Raleigh residential zoning regulations. If approved, new houses won’t be able to be as big as they are now. The proposed change would decrease the maximum residential building height from 40 feet to 32 feet, increases the minimum side yard setback from 5 feet to 10 feet and increases the minimum rear yard setback from 20 feet to 30 feet. Essentially this means that a property owner will have less space in which to build or renovate. Read more…
Planning Raleigh 2030 Workshops Tonight, Tommorow
Sometimes I slip on my civic duty and that certainly happened this week, please excuse the late reminder. Tonight and tomorrow are the second and third of the first set of Planning Raleigh 2030 workshops. November 14, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. McKimmon Conference and Training Center, NCSU 1101 Gorman Street November 15, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. North Raleigh Church of Christ 8701 Falls of Neuse Road Read more here
The Hurricane, Blazin’ Saddles, and Soho East: Closed
After three years of vacancy the Raleigh Depot was occupied by three nightclubs owned by a New York based developer. A few months after opening- all three have closed overnight. The clubs each targeted their own demographic but were marketed together both traditionally and non-traditionally with a blazing spotlight shot into the sky. During the club’s tenure several successful block parties had been thrown- with large crowds teaming in the streets for the surrounding blocks. Drama in da Club, Below the Fold
Pardon Me for Reading
Marketing. In most cases it is important to selling a product. Marketing can determine a product’s success or predict its downfall. After flipping through the most recent edition of The Downtowner, the following advertisment was found on the back cover. The ad is for the condo building under construction just east of Glenwood South, West at North. New Raleigh did not add the phrases “killer views”, “white picket fences”, and “bed, bath, and whatever” for impact. This is the exact paragraph and full marketing ad that appears on the back cover. Disclaimer: Read this with a circa-1985 Los Angeles Valley accent at your own risk. Full Advertisement and More Below The Fold
Five Points: Changing Faces?
Five Points might be the hippest, most authentic mixed use neighborhood in Raleigh. Authentic, because it has had a chance to mature and evolve over many years without some major development intervention or overhaul. Hip because of places such as Lilly’s Pizza and Third Place, and because of the close proximity of daily activities to houses and apartments. One could spend hours discussing why this area lends itself to urbanity. The highlighted area in the image above consists of three parcels, with a house on each, owned by Bobby Lewis. It has been rumored for some time that Mr. Lewis, principal of Raleigh Development Company, plans to tear down these houses and build something else. Read on…
