News
City of Raleigh Unveils New CAT Buses Today
The City of Raleigh recently spent 5.5 million of Federal Transit Administration grant money to purchase 15 new buses for the city. From 9 to 11 this morning, you can go to Nash Square and see these new Biodiesel-fueled buses, and have the chance to tour one. More…
The Hidden Costs of Suburbia
Last week’s Planning Raleigh 2030 events included a lot of talk about containing our growth and managing Raleigh’s sprawl. Both developers and citizens had many ideas about how to do this. While many know the costs of growing outward- there are many issues that aren’t obvious. Morning Edition had a nice piece about those costs and the conditions that made sprawl easier than smart growth. More on Suburbia below the fold
Parker Street - The Developer’s Remix
At the North end of Parker Street in Oberlin Village sit six one story bungalows from the early to mid 20th century. Many of these houses have been renovated throughout the past 70-plus years, all of which have kept their original character intact. But, in the first week of 2007, things changed. As the most historical structure of the neighborhood burned down, a new neighbor slowly creeped up like a skyscraper in a village full of small huts.
The Raleigh Bike Plan: First Public Workshop
Raleigh is developing a bicycle plan with funding from the NC Department of Transportation. Greenways Incorporated is the company engaged to manage this plan’s development by conducting “extensive fieldwork, evaluating the current bicycling conditions and creating a Bicycle Level of Service (BLOS) for Raleigh roadways. The goal of the inventory and analysis will be to identify gaps in the bicycle network and opportunities for bicycle facility development.” The first planning event is April 2nd from 4- 7pm. Citizens can drop by and share their experiences and opinions. The event will be held at the Glen Eden Pilot Neighborhood Center at 1500 Glen Eden Drive Informational Flyer Greenways Inc Informational Page
Planning Raleigh 2030: Round Two Starts Tonight
The City of Raleigh is holding it’s second round of comprehensive plan workshops this week. The workshops are an opportunity for citizens to voice opinions on a variety of topics and raise awareness for issues that may not have been traditionally considered. Each workshop breaks up attendees into different groups to work on one of the following topics for one hour: Expanding Housing Choices, Greenprint of Raleigh, Economic Prosperity & Equity, Growing Successful Neighborhoods & Communities, Managing Our Growth, Coordinating Land Use and Transportation. Times, Location and Registration Below the Fold
No Housing Recession for Raleigh
Economic indicators, sub prime collapse and a bunch of unsold condos- oh my! But fear not Raleigh residents, we are doing pretty well in new Raleigh. Economists in the state are relatively confident that Raleigh and North Carolina are going to be fine. Sure a downturn has been obvious- but this is Raleigh a great city for business, a great city for living. While growth in tax revenue has fallen across categories; income tax revenue has continued to grow at a steady rate. The expectation of a housing rebound is already proving true.
Council Hears Mixed Reactions to NCOD Proposal
On Monday the Raleigh city council held a public hearing on the proposed text change for the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Districts. This proposal is in response to the multiple sided debate over residential teardowns and infill. In a nearly full council chambers citizens voiced their support or criticisms of the plan. Read more and see details of the proposal.
RDU Terminal Construction, Transit Updates
After returning from flying through Newark, NJ (EWR) and JFK airports last week I had some thoughts about the experience. RDU’s customer service answered a few questions about the future of the airport and the terminal construction underway now. RDU Q&A Below the fold
Does This Spec House Fit?
This sign was spotted at 2714 Rosedale Ave on Sunday afternoon while driving around in the neighborhood just South of Wade Avenue. It is in the yard of a concerned neighbor and the new house is a replacement for a smaller house that existed on the site less than a year ago.
Hue Raleigh Sets Up Office as Construction Continues
There’s a certain love I have for a steel structure as it rises from the ground. Maybe it’s the innocence or possibly the truth that lies in the skeletal profile. Many condo buildings start with the modern wonder that was steel beams and are later covered with aesthetic brick or stucco. The truth disappears. As the construction of Hue Raleigh continues, this steel structure will fill up the entire block between Park Devereux and The Dawson. Soon enough, this structure will be covered and the blue and yellow adhered, completing condo alley. But, considering the slowing in the condo boom, will the Hue be able to sell its units?
Rethinking Regionalism
Bruce Katz, Director of the Center for Urban and Metropolitan Policy at the Brookings Institution, and Mitchell Silver, City of Raleigh Director of Planning and Urban Design Center join Frank Stasio today on The State of Things to discuss bigger ideas in planning. Are there better, more comprehensive ways to deal with growth in our area? More…
Striving for Sustainability: The Green Square Complex
Is Raleigh going green? Faced with drought and booming growth, is the city finally looking at both our present and future situation to develop sustainable solutions? Evidence suggests that the motivation to cultivate environmental responsibility is indeed present, though not quite prevalent, in downtown Raleigh. Now a new project downtown is poised to further demonstrate Raleigh’s commitment to sustainable design. More…
Security By Design: Developer Seeks to Clean Up S. Saunders
A new development project is in the planning stages for the South Saunders St. Boylan Heights area. The goal of this plan is to “spur the completion of the western gateway greenway and redevelop two blighted areas on the eastern edge of Boylan Heights.” Along with building a stretch of townhouses the firm is willing to construct the segment of the greenway that has been part of Raleigh’s greenway plans for that area. Read more and view slideshow
Campbell University Selects Architects for Downtown Raleigh Law School
Two architecture firms have been selected to develop Campbell University’s new law school in downtown Raleigh. The project will be a renovation of and addition to the Hillsborough Place office building.
Yancy’s, Longbranch Saloon Bankrupt
Continuing the week’s theme on downtown recession, today we hear news that Yancy’s, a Fayetteville Street redevelopment staple, is bankrupt. TBJ reports that this week both Yancy’s and Longbranch Saloon filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Yancy’s debt is almost $270,000 and Longbranch’s approaches $480,000.
Sarah Susanka Speaking Downtown Tonight
Sarah Susanka is an architect promoting a simplified lifestyle “by creating homes that were better–not bigger,” very much in line with the ideals supported on New Raleigh. She will be speaking tonight at 7:00pm at the Longview Center. Details Below the Fold
Raleigh Convention Center Grand Opening.. Plans
Raleigh’s highly anticipated Convention Center is on track to open this fall, and when it does, it’s going to be a big event. Tomorrow the event to announce that event, is happening. Convention Center Opening Event Details Below the Fold
York Feeling Subprime Pinch Downtown
York Properties is anxious. Condos in downtown Raleigh aren’t cheap and apparently, they aren’t selling well. It’s no secret that downtown’s growth has waned recently, with projects slow to mature and sales slow to materialize. In the Charlotte Observer today Jack Hagel reports that York is putting One Eleven Seaboard on hold.
Q. Why did I cross the road Saturday morning?
A. To get to Poole’s diner for Saturday brunch. I didn’t have a choice because there is no sidewalk access for pedestrians to get to Poole’s. Surrounded by construction on all sides, with three lanes of traffic on McDowell Street zooming by the front door, customers are forced to take their lives into their own hands by walking/running/scampering across McDowell in the middle of the block if they want to try this great new restaurant. Right now, the lack of pedestrian access doesn’t appear to be deterring folks from trying Chef Ashley Christensen’s newest creation – her superb reputation obviously precedes her. But there are obvious reasons to be concerned. More below the fold
The Renew Raleigh Ruse
The Renew Raleigh slogan that once read “Citizens for Stronger Neighborhoods” has been scratched out and replaced with a new motto—“Developers Cashing In On Your Neighborhoods.” The Renew Raleigh Ruse is a mock website that swipes the graphic style of Renew Raleigh and in turn addresses the “rubbish posted on the Renew Raleigh site.”
