The site for One Glenwood has been cleared and from Hillsborough Street you can get a sense of the view the offices will have of the core business district and of the warehouse district.
Pic of the Week
Marbles Kids Museum has purchased some property nearby with plans to expand. The building adjacent to the courtyard next to Marbles will be home to the expansion. This comes in addition to their plans for another courtyard at the corner of Morgan and Blount Street.
Marbles is a huge asset to downtown Raleigh and there are ways to experience Marbles whether you have children or not. Even today, I think Marbles is a stop for any families visiting downtown Raleigh.
Construction is still years away so when Moore Square has been renovated, the future of this area may turn more family-oriented than it is today. (at least during the daytime)
Reader Meetup on Wednesday 10/4!
Thanks to all of our friends and family who came out the past few days and have continued to support us. We couldn't do it without you!!
What started as an idea over coffee will now take place over a beer. (or whatever beverage you prefer)
The good folks behind The Acorn, a weekly email newsletter, Inbound Raleigh, a podcast about transit and transportation in Raleigh, and myself invite readers and listeners to a meetup on Wednesday, October 4. We thought that trying to make connections in real life was a worthy cause for Raleigh so here’s the first opportunity.
We’ll be at Little City Brewing from 5:30-7:30 pm, with hopes to help out some local businesses hurt by the downtown fire back in March of this year. The street has been closed and revenues are slumping as a result. If you’re hungry, a group will then be heading to Clouds Brewing afterward.
See you then.
Reader Meetup @ Little City Brewing
Date/Time: Wed., Oct. 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
400 W North Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
2017 Transportation Bond Includes Downtown Projects
Map of projects as part of 2017 bond proposal. Click for larger.
There’s an election coming up and on the ballot for Raleigh residents will be a transportation bond which will include money for upcoming projects around the city and in the downtown area. Early voting has already started but you’ll get your chance to nay or aye this one on October 10.
You can dive into all the details about the $206.7 million package here. The map above shows the location of projects with two being in downtown Raleigh.
Blount/Person Two-Way Conversion
The bond would help direct $6.1 million towards converting Blount and Person to two-way streets. This is probably a result of the work that took place a few years ago, also a result of a transportation bond approved in 2013. I went into great detail on this project in this post.
I’m curious to know what the traffic coming off the Hammond Road I-40 exit would be like when Blount and Person are converted to two-way. The theory goes that two roads would absorb the traffic rather than funneling it all down one resulting in improved flow and lower speeds. The bike lanes would also be welcomed in creating easier routes on the east side of downtown.
West Street Extension South
A portion of this funding would allow the City to proceed with the design of the proposed West Street Extension under the NC Railroad Corridor between Martin Street and Cabarrus Street, which provides a critical connection to the upcoming Raleigh Union Station. The remaining funding would allow the City to provide a local match in order to pursue federal grant funding for the project.
As the description states, the bond money would move the ball along but not fully deliver. The West Street extension has been discussed in the past as well. (also here)
This is an interesting connection, joining West Street to West Street, that could change the dynamic of the warehouse district. Union Station and The Dillon are already going to have quite the impact so we’ll know over the next few years if the West Street extension will ease off the pressures of a crowded downtown corner.
I call it a corner cause the warehouse district really is the corner of downtown, strangled off by the railroad tracks where streets just end.
Go Vote
I think Raleigh has a strong history of approving transportation bonds but the question out there is the appetite for more debt after approving an increase of the sales tax for transit during the 2016 election.
Either way, voice your opinion on October 10. Here’s a sample ballot for this bond referendum.
A Walk Up Peace Street
Peace Street, September 2017
Warning! (or treat!) This will be an image-heavy post.
I had the pleasure of taking a walk up Peace Street recently, during rush hour, to witness all the demolition and work taking place around the Capital Boulevard bridge. We’ve all been following the work in this area for awhile but when you walk it, it’s truly at another level.
I’ll write a little and then let the photos do the talking.
The Capital Boulevard work is really in full swing here as clearing for the new bridge over Peace Street takes place. Buildings have been demolished and old foundations chipped away to make way for the Square Loop.
At this time, construction fencing is up around the Smokey Hollow site. Even more demolition should be taking place in the coming weeks for the 12-story mixed-use project.
In the pipeline also is the West Peace Street Streetscape project, adding more chaos to the street in the future.
It’s a swarm of development in such a short amount of time. The end of 2019 should see all the street work wrap up for us to enjoy it.
I’m starting to think that the state’s Capital Boulevard project would be this decade’s most impactful public-funded project taking place in downtown Raleigh. (Fayetteville Street being the clear winner in the 2000s) I wanted it to be Union Station but so much is going on here that I think this edges it out.
Peace Street, September 2017. The former Fairway Advertising.
Peace Street, September 2017.
Peace Street, September 2017.
Peace Street, September 2017. The former Finch’s restaurant.
Peace Street, September 2017.
Peace Street, September 2017.
Peace Street, September 2017. Construction fencing around Smokey Hollow.
West Street, September 2017. Construction fencing around Smokey Hollow.
West Street, September 2017. Construction fencing around Smokey Hollow.
Johnson and Harrington Street, September 2017. Construction fencing around Smokey Hollow and future Johnson Street connector.
Capital Boulevard area, September 2017. Clearing of buildings for the square loop.
Capital Boulevard area, September 2017. Clearing of buildings for the square loop.
Capital Boulevard area, September 2017. Clearing of buildings for the square loop.
Capital Boulevard area, September 2017. Clearing of buildings for the square loop.
FNB Tower Video Rendering
Over on Vimeo, there is a new video showing renderings of FNB Tower. This video is pretty cool and I can’t wait to see work start on this project. This will make a dramatic change to City Plaza when finished.
Pic of the Week
Looks like it is actually happening after so many years. Moore Square will close down this November and the redesign takes place throughout 2018.
New Upfit Activities in the Moore Square Historic District
Rendering for new storefront at 211 South Wilmington
There’s work taking place in the Moore Square Historic District that may see new life in older buildings.
Currently under review by the Raleigh Historic Development Commission is a new storefront for 211 South Wilmington. The building will be upfit with a new storefront that aims to maintain the scale of the district but with modern character. The plans, 128-17-CA, mention a two-story noodle bar for this space.
With the building being in a historic district yet featuring no major architectural features (from my unskilled eye anyway) I can’t see any major controversy here.
For reference, here are the row of buildings today.
211 South Wilmington, September 2017
It’s a shame that 211 South Wilmington didn’t maintain its facade from the 1960s. The story of this building and the tenants that have cycled through would make a great follow-up.
Around the corner at 107 East Martin, could something finally be moving in? This spot has been an empty shell since Raleigh Printing closed. (moved?) If anyone can remember when that happened, let me know but I want to say it was at least 10 years ago.
I’m happy to see some of the older buildings getting new life as these add diversity to our urban environment and play a huge role in keeping downtown more interesting.