Encroachments were granted for footings for an expansion of the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences called the Nature Research Center and for a skywalk over Salisbury Street that will connect the museum and nature center.
via City of Raleigh | Approval Given To Encroachment Agreement For Green Square Project.
Isn’t talking about an arena in downtown thrilling? Mayor Charles Meeker seems to be pushing it but the Triangle Business Journal’s poll indicates that many readers are not in favor of it. I welcome the sports arena much closer to downtown but only when it makes sense. I feel it is too early to start talking about building another to replace the RBC Center. Instead, I’d like to bring up alternatives that we could pursue instead of another arena that would add an additional entertainment option to the city.
According to the RBC Center’s website, the construction cost was $158 million. I do think moving the arena closer to downtown will spur its economy and be a catalyst for lots of business openings but at the same time, we will probably be forced to build more parking decks.
There are other downsides to having the arena in an urban setting. Any form of tailgating before hockey or basketball games will be gone, something that is hugely highlighted when the Carolina Hurricanes go to the playoffs. That is something unique to the area, something that not many other places have. I also know that those driving to the arena for games from outside of Raleigh are happy with the ease of access via Wade Avenue. The I-40 to South Saunders exit toward downtown is not the best entryway for game-day traffic so if the arena was built, some highway upgrades would be needed as well.
Rather then build another arena in downtown and add very little to Raleigh’s offerings for its citizens and visitors, here is a short list of attractions we could be thinking about with a $158 million budget.
Aquarium
Aquariums are my personal favorite kind of venue and would be a great addition to the downtown museum offerings. I’m not sure if the numbers would make sense with the largest aquarium in the world seven hours away in Atlanta but a huge aquarium with a unique offering of sea life could draw people downtown almost every day of the year.
Transit Station and Museum
With $158 million, I’m sure a multi-modal transit station down in the warehouse district would be as good as done. A unique architecturally designed building could be built as well as incorporating some of the Dillon warehouses for a huge station with shops and a transit museum, highlighting some of Raleigh’s old streetcar network and history.
Technology and Science Museum
This needs no explanation. As the technology center for the state, Raleigh could build a very unique museum highlighting some of the newest technology being developed out there. This would be an easy field trip for tons of schools around the state. I’m sure donations from a few area companies would not be hard to get either, elevating the look and offering of this science and technology museum.
Buy Dix property and make it a park
Offers like $10.5 million do not seem to get the job done so with a substantially greater budget, perhaps the Dix park vision could come true.
Natty Greene’s is setting up their Raleigh location on Jones Street in the Raleigh Electric Company building. According to a lady who worked the Natty Greene’s tasting booth at the beer tent during Raleigh Wide Open 4, they are planning to open in January. Cheers!
Put up on Saturday, November 7th. Too early?
Also, the Christmas Parade is on November 21st.
The October poll has now ended. Most of the responses showed support for the new parking meters or toward a change in parking trends to the decks. Thanks for voting.
Now that it is November, most people are planning for the holidays. Some leave Raleigh to visit friends and family but others are coming here to visit. I would like to know what people typically do when they have visitors to Raleigh and need to show them around. When you are playing host to a first time Raleigh visitor, what sites do you show them? What does downtown have that you need to show friends the area? What is lacking in downtown that would draw more people?
Comment if you have other plans then the ones listed in the poll.
I took this picture on Saturday while walking on Fayetteville Street and enjoying the great weather. Cars were parking on City Plaza!
The plaza had a little activity that day because of the Home Show that was at the Raleigh Convention Center. Also, the Krispy Kreme was getting some good business and customers were sitting outside on the plaza or playing with the interactive fountain. I’m a big fan of City Plaza and would like to see more urban spaces like it for pedestrians as downtown Raleigh grows. But the fact that cars were parking on this block irked me a little. This should be a space for pedestrians, not cars.
I people watched a little while sitting at one of the several tables that have been put out on the plaza for anyone to use. I guess you could say I was car watching as well. Some cars slowed as if confused, figuring out if they could park here or not. Others parked for two minutes as they ran into Krispy Kreme for a coffee then drove off. Some were there longer then my thirty or so minute stay so its possible they used the spots for long term parking. We asked a group of downtown Raleigh Ambassadors if parking was allowed on the plaza and three of them had no idea and also don’t enforce it. I may be making this a bigger deal then it is but if cars start to park on City Plaza, in my opinion, we have ruined the intent of the entire project.
Now maybe this is a different case because it is a Saturday with slow traffic and no enforcement so why not let a few people park here, right? The work week is much busier and parking on all downtown streets are enforced so City Plaza is kept car free during those hours. I’m assuming this cause I still have not seen it for myself during a weekday. But for those that visit downtown on the weekends and are in town for a convention, why should their visit to the plaza be different?
I’m romanticizing a little and imagine the plaza to be a gathering space for downtown visitors and residents without the parking lot severing the two sides from each other. Some may not mind it but it makes a stronger statement by the city that they back the Livable Streets policy they wanted for Fayetteville Street by prohibiting parking on this block and making pedestrians come first. It may be too early to really criticize as the plaza is still brand spanking new. Either way, I’ll take notice as to how people use the plaza, in and out of their cars.
The area plan calls for forty feet between the row of bollards separating the pedestrian area and the street for cars. This is plenty of space for two way traffic and parallel parking on each side. Was this done on purpose? This may be too much room for a through street. Click for a larger view.
Happy Halloween!
The Fayetteville Street Tavern has closed but now something new is brewing in the space at 112 Fayetteville Street. I had a chance to talk to one of the guys behind the new bar and he briefly showed me around the place. This will be a huge step up from the old Fayetteville Street Tavern and downtown beer monkeys should really enjoy this one.
Zack, one of the owners, showed me around and said there would be a focus on local beer and local art. The brick wall, shown in the picture above, will be a gallery showcasing local art. The beer selection is still up in the air but there are plans to offer products from the local breweries. The bar will also be drinking only and right now, the kitchen will be closed.
Also up in the air is the name. A website does exist but the guys have a long way to go until opening and things may change between now and then.
There are many more pictures of the construction progress up on Flickr as well.
