Megg Rader and Jim BeltWhen my wife and I dropped in to meet Megg this week, conversation sparked from her delight in discovering the UPS store behind the Hudson, to her pleasure in the well-attended reception the Mahler Gallery had hosted for the local lawyer, Wade Smith, whose artwork is currently displayed in the windows of the N.C. State Bar Building (228 Fayetteville St.).  Through her eyes, we were quickly able to see the networking, support and vision that have made Megg and her business partner, Rory Parnell long time Downtown enthusiasts. 

 

Whether it’s lending their space for yoga classes, sharing their art with 18 Seaboard or the American Institute of Healthcare and Fitness, their sense of community expresses itself in ways that make all of Raleigh a more creative, vibrant, engaging place to live.

With conversations fresh in my mind from recent neighborhood meetings focusing on the city’s development codes, I asked Megg the same questions that the DLA presented to the residents.

What do you see as a positive trend in your neighborhood (Downtown)?

  • I’m glad to see more people!  The growth in number of residents, visitors, and people who make Downtown restaurants an evening destination has really increased the foot traffic in Raleigh.
  • The Downtown Raleigh Alliance has done a fabulous job with the R Line, street-scaping and planning.  They’re working hard for the Downtown community.
  • The influence of people like the Mayor Charles Meeker and the developer Greg Hatem, has gone a long way to shape Downtown in a way that preserves its historical buildings and socio-economic diversity, yet invites in new vision, as well.
  • Having parking decks in central locations with development around them works well.

What is needed to improve the Downtown?

  • More services!  We need pharmacies, copy stores, dry cleaning, book stores…
  • Stitch and Collectors Gallery are not enough.  We need other small, unique shopping options that offer a wide range of price points.  It’s critical that we listen to what people want so that everyone can find something to love.
  • My husband and I enjoy coming Downtown to the IMAX and then out to dinner.  We’d like to see another theater so there are more choices of movies.
  • The renovation of Moore Square will also be helpful in drawing in visitors and businesses to Downtown, especially the City Market area.  

What needs to be preserved?

  • The historic buildings Downtown and in the Warehouse District 
  • Parks and green space

My wife and I left our visit with Megg, feeling like we’d met not just a business person, but a neighbor. We’re grateful that visionaries like her and Rory have held out, when it would have been easy for them to move to more lucrative environs like North Hills.  But they’ve stayed, and they’re holding out the welcome lamp for others like us who appreciate a Downtown with history, character and variety that can’t be manufactured in the suburbs.

We thank you, Megg and Rory!