‘Retail Pavilions’ Approved for City Plaza
The pulse of downtown has quickened and one can predict the positives of yesterday’s council approval of the design phase for four glass retail pavilions. These spaces are somewhat reminiscent of the NYC Apple cube as they rise from the ground within an open square. We look forward to seeing more as the plans develop. The Simpson Organization is responsible for the space- owning the proximal Bank of America building. Click the image above to see the whole scene. There is a 5 million dollar gap in the money the city council has approved (16 million) and the budget (21 million) for this project. The council has asked Russell Allen, City Manager, to find a way to meet that budgetary gap. One of the recommended solutions is cutting the extent of this plan, the first thing we would see removed would be the lighting, concert facilities, and water/fountain features. Don’t let this happen, contact your council member and let them know you need the project fully financed. If this project gets partially funded it seems the first thing the city will loose are the portions that the public will enjoy most. More Below the Fold
Community SCALE Submits Proposal for Neighborhood Rezoning
Community SCALE, a neighborhood development advocacy group, has submitted a proposal to City Council for a “downzoning” of 140 properties in the Fallon Park, Anderson Heights and Bloomsbury neighborhoods from R-6 to R-4 zones. The proposal suggests these lots be rezoned as R-4 residential which means a maximum of four units per acre and would additionally require new houses to sit 5 feet farther from their neighbors and 10 feet farther from the road than the current zoning mandates. R-4 zones may include units such as single-family dwellings, churches, shelter units, home occupations, public schools and libraries but do not include units such as multi-family dwellings, condominiums and group housing; which are allowed under R-6 zoning. More on rezoning proposal…
Decentralizing Raleigh: Why Cameron Village Is Not a Village… Yet
Cameron Village was the first outdoor shopping mall built between DC and Atlanta. One of the original decentralizing developments in Raleigh, it offered an alternative to shopping downtown. Though envisioned as containing single family housing, apartments, retail and restaurants, the development fundamentally ignores traditional growth patterns and follows the engineered formulas of urban sprawl, separating uses by zone. In other words, it’s not a village. But why then, does the name suggest that it is a municipality, or even suggest that it functions as one? What does that tell about its motives? More on Decentralizing Raleigh: Cameron Village…
Preservation Homes: Built to Burn?
This morning one of the McMansions under construction in Sunset Hills caught fire around 4 AM. The house at 1419 Nottingham Rd, was still under construction by Preservation Homes, but looks to be burnt beyond repair. The neighboring house, also under construction, shows signs of significant fire damage. This area has been ground zero for tear downs recently, spearheaded by Preservation homes and other developers. The signs point toward arson, as the house had other signs of vandalism; the portable toilets the construction workers use had been overturned and burning embers were found in neighboring yards. The construction has been moving at a rapid pace as small duplexes and single family homes been replaced by 6 and 7 thousand square foot houses that do not have yards and frequently use the park they border as overflow parking. These houses have highlighted the irresponsible approach that developers have taken in the neighborhood as they clear the lots of any trees and build the house within inches of the edges of their lots. Many of the homes in the area shade the previously sunny gardens and yards of their neighbors and remove any feeling of privacy as they loom well above what would be perceived as an appropriate size.
Kane Realty Admits to Making Raleigh ‘Sprawl,’ Wants Your Money to Stop
John Kane is working to develop the 45 acres across Six Forks from the North Hills mall. In doing this he is asking for $80 million in bonds to be funded through tax revenue generated at the development. He says our $80 million will enable an $800 million dollar development as opposed to a $125 million dollar “strip mall.” In explaining the city’s options, John Kane offered: “We can do another typical sprawl development like we’ve seen across Wake County, or we can do something extraordinary. I do not want to build more of these obsolete strip centers. They are profitable, I can tell you that. But I don’t think it’s the right thing to do.” From the N&O But build that obsolete strip center he will; unless the city gives up 75% of their estimated tax revenue from this project for the next 20 years, Kane can’t build the 800 million dollar shit-bread-sandwich with the other half of North Hills. Sure, the public gets a few parking decks for our dough, but we also get another three Starbucks, and as many national franchises as we can squeeze into the space. Why does Raleigh want to pump money into further developing this investment when in the downtown is much more sorely needed? If Kane can come up with the remaining $725 million to develop 45 acres of retail and pseudo-urban-residential, then the remaining $80 million in infrastructure to serve their customers shouldn’t be a problem. This follows the disturbing tradition of offsetting infrastructure costs on to the municipalities.
Brier Creek and Towne North Open to Buses
In a move inspired by pity and PR, two of four malls previously restricting bus access have reached an agreement with the City on allowing bus access. Brier Creek and Towne North (in Ye Olde Raleighe) have agreed to allow buses to make stops on their property. Towne North had previously closed their bus stop and Brier Creek is opening up for the first time. If you missed it we covered this injustice a few weeks ago. The other two malls will not be regaining bus access. Aparently Bent Tree doesn’t serve anyone interested in public transit and Brennan Station is going to let folk cross the street from the Towne North, knight costumes and all.
NC’s Realtors Passing the Bill to Longtime Residents
NC Realtors are viciously fighting proposed taxes on home purchases. Spending millions on lobbyists because they are worried about the effects on their business. What they don’t tell us as residents is that by avoiding this tax they are passing the bill on to property taxes. The result is that long time residents end up paying for newcomers streets, schools and other local services. It’s disgusting - and it allows developers and realtors to sell new homes but not give back to the greater community. STOP The NC Home Ticks is a robust blog all about this subject. What’s most interesting is the level at which the special interests in the new homes market are mucking with our government, from planting numerous lobbyists in our capital to delivering talking points to Brad Crone. More below the fold
Noted Developer Takes Green Tech to New Heights
This morning, the News and Observer’s Jack Hagel reported that Gregg Sandreuter of Cary (hold your boos and hisses) and Cherokee Investment Partners have pitched the idea of a 38-story business/hotel/residential in downtown Raleigh. What makes this note worthy is the that the proposed building will be designed based on the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, rating system. The stie of two tower project known as the Edison is tentatively planned for the block cornered by Wilmington, Blount, Martin and Davie Streets. You may have noticed a big pile of rubble there from recent demolision work. The block is currently owned by Progress Energy and in order to begin construction a deal will have to be reached purchasing the 3.6 acre plot. Hagel reports that some businesses will remain on that block, including Raleigh staple Clyde Cooper’s Barbeque. Construction of the new towers would begin in 2009 if approved by the city. Other notable projects of Sandreuter include the Dawson on Morgan (home to over 50 condos in the heart of downtown as well as the Borough) and West (in Glenwood South’s entertainment district).
Downtown Raleigh Wayfinding
Getting to and through downtown Raleigh is a nightmare, whether you live in the city or not. Even seasoned veterans are baffled by one way streets and informative signs on Raleigh’s I-440 Beltline. And it is not exactly inviting. Right now the gateways into downtown Raleigh look something like THIS. Cue Corbin Design, hired by the city to design a new wayfinding system for downtown. Their portfolio includes Atlanta, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Kansas City, and Milwaukee; it is no surprise that they were chosen by the city following an invitation to interview. The majority of the information design for our new system is extremely well thought out and clearly stated. (Downtown findability will be accentuated if DOT takes Corbin’s recommendations for signs along the beltline—suggestions that are outside of the original scope of work.) The aesthetics of the project, however, are questionable…[MORE]
Capital City Grocery Reopens
On Saturday Capital City Grocery reopened, after changing owners and going through a bit of an overhaul. Anyone who hasn’t gotten to check out Capital City Grocery and the rest of Seaboard Station is highly encouraged to do so, the Grocery is in good company with Logan’s and Sun Flowers. The grocery is focusing on organic and natural goods and includes salad and hot bars with selections of vegetarian and omnivore friendly cuisine. With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating- its a great place to grab lunch downtown. Complimenting the food they will also offer beer and wine by the glass as well as a full coffee menu. The store has stayed much the same, but I’m sure we can expect some evolution as they find the right market. Lets hope Capital City gives Whole Foods some good competition as it would benefits Raleigh residents doubly. Our city can only benefit from smart minded independent businesses like this one
Bus Banning in Raleigh Shopping Centers: Commercial Classism Rises Ugly
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. A list of the participating shopping centers below the fold
Hillsborough Street Plan: No room for a Bike Lane
Where would bicyclists ride? The study will consider the needs of bicyclists in the corridor. An option being considered is to allow bicyclists their choice of riding through the roundabout under the legal definition of a vehicle, according to North Carolina law, or riding on the sidewalk instead. The Hillsborough St. Plan That’s right, bikers: You are on your own in Raleigh. The future plan for revitalizing Hillsborough Street, a full restructuring and redesign of key intersections, does not include a bike lane.
Does Raleigh need another pizza restaurant?
Does Raleigh seriously need another pizza restaurant? At 117 square miles, and well over a hundred establishments that make pizza, you can score a slice at roughly once every square mile. The newest addition to the rat race of pizza delivery options—Hungry Howie’s, a chain restaurant from Michigan—comes to Oberlin road, on the edge of the Hayes-Barton and Oberlin Village neighborhoods. It places itself centrally between arguably the two finest pizza establishments in Raleigh: Lilly’s Pizza of Five Points, and Capital Creations which operates out of the Sunset Hills area.
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