Raleigh’s Union Depot

I’ve recently been following The Infrastructurist blog [Update: broken link] and one of my favorite blog posts recently has been “Demolished! 11 Beautiful Train Stations That Fell To The Wrecking Ball (And The Crappy Stuff Built In Their Place)”. [Update: broken link] Check it out and look at the gorgeous train stations that cities once had but demolished because train travel use was heavily decreasing.

This led me to do some research to see what has happened to some of Raleigh’s old train stations. I’ll have to give a tip of the hat to the Piedmont and Western Railroad Club for this page listing all the train stations in Raleigh. Fortunately for us, most of them have survived and the website lists Union Depot, at the corner of Dawson and Martin Street, still standing today since 1890. Go to the page for more photos, past and present.

See a picture of Union Depot in 1928 on Flickr (via North Carolina State Archives)

A Clean Slate on Hillsborough Street

The hole that was created by the demolition of 301 Hillsborough has now been filled. I’ll use this as a sign to move on from the former tag of ‘The Hillsborough’, the project that was planned here, and start with a new tag of ‘301 Hillsborough‘.

There has been talk of paving over the land for a parking lot in order to generate revenue rather then let the lot sit there vacant. It is expensive property so I cannot argue against that plan. We’ll keep watch for now.

Pic of the Week

I have not yet seen a show at the Burning Coal Theatre but this year, I hope to change that. The 2009/2010 season is posted on their website and I have created a Google Calendar in order for me, and anyone interested, to keep track of it. Copy one of the links below and import them into your Google Calendar or compatible calendar software to add the shows posted on their website.

[Update: The Google Calendar has been taken down.]

A Visit To Clyde Cooper’s Barbecue

It has been awhile since I’ve had any of Clyde Cooper’s delicious barbecue. Since I’m never in downtown during the workday, Saturday is my only time to visit so this past weekend I made a point to go. Cooper’s has been in business since 1938 and the restaurant on Davie St. is an old diner-style barbecue place. They have been in downtown Raleigh for a long time and it is tough to compare them to the newer, and more talked about, barbecue place, The Pit. It is a great restaurant and I enjoy visiting but in my opinion, Cooper’s has defined their style and really serves downtown Raleigh better with a neighborhood, friendly feel. You cannot beat their $3 barbecue sandwich and for the money, the trays and dinners are one of the best deals in downtown.

In the coming years, it will be interesting to follow what will really happen on this corner of Davie and Wilmington St. when the The Edison starts to come alive. The plan is to remove the older buildings on this block for a 39 story tower. Nothing is certain yet so only time will tell. Enjoy Clyde Cooper’s and the other businesses on this block.

Pic of the Week

The 100 block of East Davie St. has LED lights installed and running at night. Notice the difference between the new, brighter lighting and the traditional lighting along Blount St.

Raleigh is leading an effort to become more energy efficient. One way is through the use of LED lights around the city. We would become an ‘LED city’ as its referred to by the LED City Initiative. Here’s some more reading for you to get your daily greens in.

Some American cities, including Ann Arbor, Mich., and Raleigh, N.C., are using the lights to illuminate streets and parking garages, and dozens more are exploring the technology.

Green Promise Seen in Switch to LED Lighting (via The New York Times)

Raleigh Recognizes Greater than 40 Percent Energy Savings as Municipal Garage Switches to LED Lighting.

Raleigh, NC the First LEDCity Installs LED Parking Garage Lighting (via Solutions For LED Lights)

The Mayor also said this is the time for Raleigh to vigorously pursue its role as the first LED City and explore and implement further ways to use LED lighting.

Mayor Calls For Boldness To Combat Economic Challenges (Via City of Raleigh)