Raleigh Downtown Living Advocates

Category: Warehouse District (Page 4 of 5)

Buses, Trains and Automobiles… All Aboard Raleigh’s Public Transport Network!

June 17, 2010 /

Imagine yourself living in North Raleigh a decade from now.  It’s early morning and you want to take the kids to Washington, so you park your car at the light rail station, jump on the light rail into Union Station in Downtown Raleigh, and board the high speed train, arriving in DC in time for lunch.

Traffic congestion could choke off city’s growthSeem like a fantasy?  It’s not.  City officials are working hard to share this vision with citizens, as they find their way through the maze of transportation options.  Mass transportation, including commuter rail between Raleigh, RTP, Cary, Chapel Hill, and the airport (among other regional destinations), is seen across local government agencies as “one of the most important issues facing the Triangle Region.”

 

Confused?  Even skeptical? 

I’m starting to appreciate that while the big changes are 10+ years away, our city has truly embarked on this journey, one that will fundamentally alter the way we get around.    But given the variety of agencies involved and the scale of capital investment, the process requires an incredibly complex amount of planning on the part of officials, what Mitchell Silver, the City Planning Director, refers to as “a lot of moving parts”, but perhaps more importantly, an even more daunting effort to get citizens on board.

Transit covers various modes of public transportation, and can get very complicated, so I’ve collected information here that will hopefully help explain the key components of our transit process, and what is happening now.

  1. Regional Transit System
  2. High Speed Rail
  3. Union Station / Transit Oriented Development

Regional Transit System: 

What is it? A multi-county (Wake, Durham, Orange) effort focused on future transit improvements that includes buses, commuter rail and light rail.

When? Ongoing, for example, additional train service was recently added between Raleigh and Charlotte.  A new route from Downtown Raleigh to RDU has also been recently proposed.  

Key issues? An ambitious transit system plan covering an expansion of bus service and the addition of commuter and light rail is being developed.  The plan is a first step to secure needed funding through a 1/2 cent sales tax to be voted on by referendum – date not set, but likely next fall.

What’s happening now? A Public Meeting is schedule for June 28th, as part of a Federally prescribed alternatives analysis needed to support federal funding of major capital investments.  See a preview of the presentation here.

High Speed Rail: 

What is it? The Southeast High Speed Rail (SEHSR) is part of a project to extend high speed rail from the Northeast (Boston / Washington D.C.) through Virginia (Richmond / Petersburg) and North Carolina (Raleigh / Charlotte).

When? That’s the big question, and most people think we’re still 10-15 years away.  But, there is a federal push for this project, and NC was recently awarded $520 million in federal recovery funds for the section between Raleigh and Charlotte.

Key issues?  A study is underway that reviews two alternatives for the project corridor that could have major implications on the Downtown area.  A recent article from the Raleigh Connoisseur blog provides a good understanding of the alternatives for having the corridor follow the existing Norfolk Southern (NS) line, or the Eastern Branch following the existing CSX line.

What’s happening now? The City Council appointed an 11-member Passenger Rail Task Force to advise the Council on issues related to the passenger rail service.  A Public Hearing is schedule for July 26th to review the recently completed draft environmental statement, a key step towards implementing the service.  


Union Station / Transit Oriented Development: 

What is it?  Union Station is the name given to a Multi-Modal Transit Center, sometimes referred to as Raleigh’s “Grand Central Station”.  In addition to serving as a rail station for high-speed, commuter and light rail, ‘Union Station’ would provide bus platforms for Greyhound, Triangle Transit and Capital Area Transit.  

The 2030 Comprehensive Plan provides guidelines to encourage integrated mixed use transit oriented development which can be served by and support a regional transit system, including the development of and around Union Station and the rail corridor. 

When?  Probably a decade away, but as the station is being designed as a hub for retail, commercial and residential growth, there’s a need to finalize the design parameters that can start to attract the needed private investments.

Key issues?  The proposed location along the intersecting tracks west of Downtown is described as the most complicated section of rail crossings and junctions in the state.  A phased approach is planned, but the overall price tag of Union Station is estimated to be in the range of $200 million, with the expectation that federal funding will cover 80% of the cost.  

What’s happening now?  A draft report on the Multi-Modal Transit Center was released in April, followed by a public review meeting on May 12th.  There is an excellent summary of the report written by the Raleigh Connoisseur. 

A public workshop has been scheduled for June 24th, to study Capital Boulevard’s unused land along the rail corridor, and how best to to transform Capital Boulevard into a vibrant mixed-use northern gateway into Downtown Raleigh.  The vision even includes a riverwalk.

 

I appreciate living in one of the fastest growing cities in the US.  It takes foresight and imagination on the part of our city officials to manage this growth.  Join me in letting them know, if they build it, we will come!

Raleigh’s Nash Square, A Lovely, Historic and Under–Used Downtown Park

March 29, 2010 /

Nearly all residents who live Downtown today report that they see Raleigh as lacking open space. This need is recognized by city officials within the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, yet it wasn’t always this way.

You might be surprised to know that Raleigh, like Philadelphia and Savannah, was one of the early American cities incorporating squares of green space in their original city designs.  Though Raleigh started with five squares, today only Moore Square and Nash Square remain.  

Here is the 1792 plan of Raleigh with its 5 squares.

So what happened?  In addition to one square that was lost to development, one is now home to the governor’s mansion and the other is Union Square, setting to the Capitol Building.  Moore Square has gotten some love by the city lately, starting with the redesign project now underway, but sadly, Nash Square has not received as much attention.  

And, Nash Square is slowly shrinking.  

Though Nash Square is about four acres today, it was originally closer to five.  Strips of the square were lopped off over time to create parking and additional lanes.   Green space was lost to accommodate increased vehicle movement.

See how the sidewalk in the foreground, and the sidewalk in the background don’t line up along the block edge.

Nash Square is an historical treasure, but there’s just not much reason to go there, even on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.  

You probably remember that first warm day in three months that came on February 21st this year.  It was a sunny 72 degrees, and many were outside enjoying what turned out to be a brief but welcome respite from the unusually cold winter months for Raleigh.  People were everywhere, but what about Nash Square?

Here are some photos taken of Nash Square in the afternoon on that first warm day of this year.  There was almost no one there. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s because there are only two things to do in Nash Square.  You can sit on a bench and look at the plantings, or view memorials to the dead.   Neither are enough to draw people in for long.  

Let’s explore new ways to attract people to Nash Square.  

Remember, Raleigh’s plan was based on the Philadelphia plan, and Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia is one of the best used Downtown parks in America.  

Rittenhouse Square, PhiladelphiaUrban parks that are widely used have features that attract people to them, and have choices of things to do.

  • Movable chairs and tables help.
  • Food stands or a sandwich kiosk can attract nearby workers and families.
  • Fountains, games, festivals, and arts are also a draw, since they bring in children.  

We don’t know what the right combination is for Nash Square, but we have the opportunity to transform this underperforming space into a great park, and that promises to rejuvenate the area around it, as well.

This could be the future of Nash Square!

We invite your thoughts!  What would entice you to spend time in this historic section of our Downtown?  Would you be willing to allot tax dollars to make improvements designed to attract more residents to use this setting?

 

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Information and pictures in this article were included in a Citizen’s Petition presentation to Raleigh’s City Council on March 2nd, 2010 by Betsy Kane.  The Petition made the following recommendations:

  1. Involve the public in creating a vision for Nash Square.
  2. Make improvements to the park according to public input, involving all key stakeholders, especially area residents.
  3. Get expert help – for example, PPS Project of Public Spaces, a New York-based firm which did City Plaza.
  4. Some examples of possible improvements:  

  • Reintroduce lively ground floor uses in all the buildings that face the Square. 
  • Calm the 4-lane traffic on adjacent streets.
  • Add activities and features so there are reasons to go there. 
  • Create better connections between the Square and key places along its edges.

 

Faces of Downtown Raleigh: Meet Kalesia Kuenzel

March 3, 2010 /

What’s situated between the Joel Lane House and Bloomsbury Estates, nearly a hundred years old, yet new this month?  It’s ARTHOUSE, the first of many creative projects housed in architects, Chris and Nasim Kuenzel’s newly renovated 1920’s  home, they call  “Post Suburbia Project”.  Curious?  So were my wife and I as Kalesia Kuenzel, the daughter of Chris and Nasim and director of ARTHOUSE, greeted us this week.

 

The old and new theme continues…  “Post Suburbia Project” is a reference to the movement back Downtown after the massive migration to the suburbs starting back in the 1950s.  Kalesia shares her parents’ dedication to Downtown life, which until now has focused in Fayetteville where the family supports the arts through projects like the ten year old art theater, Cameo.  Yet with ties to Raleigh through Kalesia and Nasim’s graduate degrees at NC State, their presence in Raleigh is a natural.

Walking through the front door at 716 W. Hargett, we find their vision evident.  The perfect blending of old (highly polished original floors, doors and fireplaces restored in a way that reveals their history), and new (streamlined modern track lighting and cabinetry, fresh white walls), functions as the perfect backdrop for creativity.  ARTHOUSE, the art studio where Kalesia works with children (ages 4 – 12), offers a bright, inviting, spacious environment, where kids may not at first notice the details of scented candles and specially selected music, but find themselves approaching art through all their senses.  For Kalesia, this is a celebration of the way she herself was raised, with creativity always at the center of her experience.

Kalesia Kuenzel and Jim BeltWhy Hargett St., we ask?  Kalesia beams talking about the sliver of neighborhood which is home to gathering spots like Boylan Bridge Brewpub and Moonlight Pizza Company, the history of the Joel Lane House, the promise of Bloomsbury Estates; and neighbor to the well organized, eclectic, artsy and activist Boylan Heights.  To this, she adds the “unique mixture of living and working” that all add up to a buzz that’s bound to spread even further, with the arrival of the proposed new transportation or multimodal center in the nearby Warehouse District.

Drop in and meet Kalesia.  You’ll be inspired by her, the setting and the view of Raleigh’s skyline.  You may want to schedule art lessons, or like my wife, you may dream of moving in!  With apartment units available for rent, this could be arranged.


Faces of Raleigh: Hector Ibarra, Owner of Jibarra Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Lounge in Raleigh’s Warehouse District

February 24, 2010 /

The DLA is all about getting to know you: the residents, workers and business owners who are shaping the character of Downtown life.  Watch for our Faces of Raleigh blog posts to share a glimpse of whom we’re meeting.  We appreciate the following interview provided by our DLA members, Ryan Craig and Julie Johnson Babb.  Ryan and Julie recently interviewed Hector Ibarra of Jibarra Modern Mexican and Tequila Lounge.

Ryan: What are your impressions of Downtown Raleigh?

Hector: I moved my business from North Raleigh to Downtown because people come to Downtown Raleigh for something different – a locally owned experience. My partners and I saw the momentum building in Downtown and wanted to be a part of it.  Even though the economy is slowing growth down, we’re still really excited about the momentum that continues to build Downtown. 

Ryan: It seems Downtown Raleigh has adapted to the economy better than other cities nationally. Do you get the same feeling?

Hector: Higher end businesses have definitely been hurt. They used to be a white tablecloth dining establishment but when they moved downtown, they wanted to recreate their image. They wanted it to be a lot more casual and fun. We had so much fun designing and decorating the restaurant. We are young and feel comfortable attracting that audience.

Ryan: Explain your restaurant.

Hector: We like to introduce our guests to new things in taste, sight and environment. I am proud of my Mexican heritage and want people to see a different side to Mexican food. Our wines focus on South American and Spanish wines and our Mexican tequila is the best selection in all of Raleigh. Did you know tequila is supposed to be sipped room temperature and chased with a pallet cleansing drink – not salt and lime?  We put a large focus on attention to detail and encourage our staff to teach our customers about real Mexican traditions.

Hector IbarraRyan: It seems like your restaurant is not just a financial venture to you.

Hector: Absolutely not. One works so many hours in the restaurant business that there must be a lot of love and passion behind what you are doing.

Ryan: Is there any specific direction you’d like to see in Downtown development?

Hector: There are a lot of dining establishments and museums in Downtown, but  still plenty of holes to fill in with retail.  Downtown needs more public art and more activities in order to be better rounded.

Ryan: Are you looking forward to the transportation project that is proposed right outside your front door?

Hector: More traffic would be appreciated if the train project happens. I’d like to see more people walking by.  We already get a decent amount of traffic from the train station.

Hector: One more thing on the aspect of living in Downtown…I’ve got a lot of friends who would like to live Downtown but because of the cost, it’s not an option. I wish there were more rental properties and more affordable places to live. I believe that would create a much more interesting group of residents, instead of just high-end. 

[The DLA will soon be releasing a blog post that describes the increasing number of options for more affordable and different styles of housing, focused on the redevelopment of smaller single family homes to the east of Moore Square.]

Ryan: What has been the best thing for your restaurant since you moved to Downtown?

Hector: I really feel at home here in Downtown. Our beloved restaurant has finally found its home.


My First Friday Art Tour

December 2, 2009 /
Glenwood South
Usually on First Fridays I start off gallery hopping on the east side of town, beginning with Artspace.  But this December 4th I’m going to kick off the festivities on the west side of town, at SpiritWorks Studio (608 Glenwood Ave. [behind 610] where my friend Donna is exhibiting her new series “Interfaith Children”.  Next, I’ll peek next door, (behind the carpet store) to check out the studio recently opened by my very talented friend, Jason.
 
Next I’ll go up the street and stop by Lee Hansley’s Gallery at 225 Glenwood to see his Christmas Show of over 200 pieces,  each under $1000.  Then I’ll go across Glenwood to Lee Hansley’s new temporary gallery on the corner of Glenwood and Jones Streets to see a new exhibition of some large contemporary pieces of art.
 
Working a little south, there is always lots of art for me to see at the Carter Building.
 
Warehouse District
Then I’d cross Hillsborough St. and walk down to the Warehouse District to see the very new and exciting Flanders Gallery at the corner of West and Martin.  
 
Just down the street from Flanders is Judy Jones’ print exhibition space at 311 West Martin Street Galleries.
 
Fayetteville Street
From there it’s just a short walk east to the beautiful Mahler Gallery and the new glass enclosed Collectors Gallery, both on Fayetteville St.
 
From there I’ll to stop off at the Sosta Cafe, 130 E. Davie St., to see that new painting show.
Then on to Artspace at Blount and E. Davie Streets.
 
After that, I’ll go around the corner to Blake St. across from Vic’s Restaurant to see the instructors’ show (instructors for RICA, the upcoming Raleigh Institute of Contemporary Art).
 
And then I’ll cross over to The Visual Arts Exchange to see what new amazing show Sarah Powers has put together this month.  
 
Then I’ll stop in to the Dechen Gallery of Tibetan art and the craft gallery a few doors down for some Christmas gifts.
 
I’ll top the evening off with a leisure walk back to Glenwood by way of Hargett St. and  stop in at the Adam Cave and the popular cafe galleries.
 
I hope it’s a lovely evening for all that walking.  But with all the inspiration offered by Raleigh artists, the weather won’t make a bit of difference! 
 
Boylan Heights (Dec. 6)
And a reminder, no one should forget the December 6th Sunday afternoon Art Walk, around the Boylan Heights neighborhood to see an exhibition of over 100 artists.  
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