The Contemporary Art Museum under construction. Does anyone think that when open in Spring 2011, the epicenter of First Friday will move from Hargett Street to Martin Street?
Pic of the Week
I just want to warn you that this is a weak post but either way, there is construction happening on Progress Energy’s land on Lenoir Street near the intersection with Dawson Street, to the west of the rail tracks. I’m not sure what is being built but my guess is that it is the power station that they wanted to build to support the power demands of downtown.
I do remember this was an issue a few years ago but cannot find the articles online at all. I’ll keep attempting to locate something but comment if you recall any details.
The short version of the story is that Progress Energy wanted to build a power substation where Union Station would go now and that caused some controversy. The story never really seemed to end, unless I missed it in the news or no one was talking about it but now Progress Energy is working on something. Is this the same power station?
Happy Birthday City Plaza!
On October 24th, 2009, City Plaza was officially opened during Raleigh Wide Open 4. The open space towards the southern end of Fayetteville Street was called downtown Raleigh’s living room and for one year today it has served a unique purpose for downtown.
City Plaza has hosted a plethora of events from music and art festivals to the downtown Farmer’s Market and Winterfest. The plaza is a great gathering place in the core of the city and with the scenic Fayetteville Street view, it’s one of the best places to host an event in an urban area.
City Plaza is also about the pedestrian first. The plaza has fluid interaction with cars and people because of the flush street and sidewalks. It is easier to move around when on foot because there are no curbs, signs, or parked cars in the space. The fountain, the numerous tables and chairs, and lots of seating around the planted bushes and flowers makes it very inviting, open, and uncrowded.
The pavilions in the plaza also make it a destination. The four shops have been open for some time now and soon a fifth will open in the One Bank of America Plaza tower.
City Plaza is one of the most urban places in the city. here’s to many more years of hanging out there!
Weekend Exposure: Oak in the Weeds
Oak in the Weeds by dtraleigh, on Flickr
Wilmington Street Renovations Continue
Looks like Wilmington Street is getting some work done on her. The space at the corner of Wilmington Street and Martin Street is being renovated and according to a sign, shown above, will be finished in the Fall of 2011. The building, shown below, was listed in my Top 10 Empty Spaces To Fill Around Downtown, posted over two years ago.
I updated that list a year later and 237 Wilmington was still empty. This gives me an idea for a 2010 refresh by the way. Anyway, this is a good sign for a major hole in the slice of swiss cheese that is downtown Raleigh retail/restaurant spaces.
Weekend Exposure: Forboding
Forboding by dtraleigh, on Flickr
Suds and Speculation: Your Third Place In Downtown Raleigh
Landmark Tavern by abbyladybug, on Flickr
Suds and Speculation posts are ideas I come up with, usually while drinking and socializing with friends or people I meet. The posts also use real data leading to some idea, or dream, that we can speculate on for downtown Raleigh.
Where is your third place? Not sure what I’m talking about? Actually I’m referring to the concept of everyone’s social environments throughout their lives. Our “first place” is generally our home, followed by our “second place” being where we work. But the term “third place” refers to where we spend time outside of home and work to get our social fix. One of the things that downtown Raleigh naturally offers are unique places for anyone to call their own.
Coffee shops, museums, bars, barbershops, they all play a role as someone’s third place. It’s where you go to see familiar faces or to be in a comfortable environment. The concept is huge in downtown Raleigh and was mentioned extensively in the 2009 Retail Market Analysis. (link to the pdf) These types of spots are all over the place.
The report mentions that the “third place” in downtown is important to residents and those that live in the surrounding neighborhoods. I think that is true for nearby residents but the ease of parking in downtown at night and on weekends allows anyone living further out to access their third place rather easily.
While barbershops have been an established “third place” in downtown Raleigh for some time now, a growing number of coffee shops now have longer hours and are drawing in more people. The increase in the number of bars in downtown has also created regulars crowds and bar owners that can expect business outside of the weekend. The regulars crowd is diverse and fits that third place description.
One thing that downtown Raleigh still needs is for third place options that are free. The easiest one that comes to mind is a library with public space accessible at most hours of the day. Grabbing a drink at a bar isn’t always on my mind and I don’t drink coffee so more options for third places would really raise the bar for residents and frequent visitors.
A bookstore would work also. I could see myself visiting enough times and buying enough books that they wouldn’t mind if I stayed in and read inside their lounge area. Just hide the power plugs and no one will mooch the space.
Being outside could be a third place to some. Moore and Nash Square are nice outdoor areas to be around. City Plaza on Fayetteville Street is also a great urban setting to stop and enjoy the scenery. The weather could ruin things though and you don’t get that “familiar faces” environment that shops and food places give you.
My third place is Landmark Tavern. It’s the default place to go whenever I can’t decide where I want to spend my time. In my head, I always compare it to Publicans in J. R. Moehringer’s The Tender Bar. (great book if bar culture interests you)
I think this social, third place concept is something that downtown leaders should recognize very heavily because it is a unique offering when attracting new business to downtown. The suburbs have “free” parking but downtown has people, that you can interact with outside of work and your car.
More on this topic below.
Raleigh DLA: Find Your Third Place In Downtown Raleigh
Sushi O Now Open In Glenwood South
Sushi O is now open in the 222 Glenwood building in the Glenwood South district. Sono, on Fayetteville Street, is my go to spot for sushi but as always I have to try the new places that come to downtown so I plan to visit sometime soon. The Vietnamese lunch specials are intriguing also.