Raleigh Downtown Living Advocates

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Tree Sweaters Blankets Add New Warmth to Glenwood South

May 16, 2014 /

If you drove down Glenwood Avenue in February of this year, you may have been charmed or even confused by the sight of 150 trees dressed in colorful, made to order, rectangular sweaters. This public art installation represented the work of more than 50 knitters, aged 7 – 70 who gathered to stitch during the fall at SpiritWorks Studio in The Carter Building. Sponsored by the Glenwood South Neighborhood Collaborative, these Tree Sweaters did just what was intended. They inspired conversation, brought neighbors together, delivered smiles to people going by, and even empowered kids who could see first hand the effects of their art on the community.

But all those things were just a preamble to a tea held May 15 at St. Saviour’s Center (616 Tucker St.) when again neighbors from Glenwood South – both residents and business owners – got together to distribute 15 patchwork blankets created from the Tree Sweaters to residents of Glenwood Towers. Dan Lovenheim (Cornerstone Tavern) was at the microphone to call out raffle numbers as Alex Amra (Tobacco Road) distributed hugs, along with blankets to winners. Patricia Privilege (Tuscan Blu) served as translator to Spanish speakers, while Liz Johnson (Revolver), Ann Conlon Smith, Manjiri Lall (Carter Building artist), Donna and Jim Belt joined in serving cupcakes donated by Sara Coleman Fitzpatrick at the Cupcake Shoppe.

“I collected a pocket full of e-mails from Glenwood Tower residents,” Jim Belt commented after introducing activities sponsored by the GSNC. “They all wanted to help with sidewalk clean up, planting and anything else we plan to do in the neighborhood.” St. Saviour’s Center also offers a variety of ongoing opportunities for community service including Wake Relief Food Pantry, Community Music School, Meals on Wheels and a Diaper Train that is part of the Healthy Baby program.

I extend my sincere THANK YOU to all who knitted, donated yarn, and sewed blankets together, allowing this serial project to morph from temporary tree art to blankets that will warm newly made friends for a long time to come.

Written by Donna Belt

Volunteerism on Glenwood South: Tree Sweater blankets are just the beginning

April 22, 2014 /

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. – Margaret Mead

Glenwood South is a neighborhood where volunteerism is literally adding to the colors and designs on the street, bringing better lit and safer-feeling sidewalks, and knitting friendships that strengthen cooperation.  When Sue Glennon (Hampton Inn and Suites), Liz Johnson (Revolver) and Donna Belt (SpiritWorks) met with Sharon Hayes, Executive Director of St. Saviour’s Center (616 Tucker Ave) this week to arrange a neighborhood tea for donating Tree Sweater blankets to the residents of Glenwood Towers, the surprise was on them.  Melissa Brigman, Property Manager of the Towers wondered out loud how residents could volunteer to help the neighborhood.  As thrilled as they were to receive the blankets, they were equally happy with a donation of yarn that allows them to knit items to donate to a charity they select.

photo

Tree Sweater Blankets

Our changing of the world has already launched, right here in our neighborhood.  St. Saviours Center offers a variety of volunteer opportunities from serving seniors through Meals on Wheels, helping distribute food at the Wake Relief Food Pantry, supporting  the Community Music School (offering music lessons to disadvantaged children for $1/lesson), or even donating disposable diapers and children’s books to the Diaper Train that is part of the Healthy Baby program.

Whether you offer a morning per month or seek more regular service, come out and meet other neighbors who are helping to create a network that enhances us all.

  • For more information about volunteering, please contact Sharon Hayes 919-833-6400, ext 201, shayes@saintsaviourcenter.org.
  • Contact Linda Frenette, Executive Director of the Community Music School to support their fundraiser on May 3 when they’ll be raffling guitars painted by local artists. executivedirector@cmsraleigh.org.

And of course, please join us for a neighborhood tea at St. Saviours on May 15 at 10:30 when we’ll be raffling our Tree Sweater blankets to residents of Glenwood Towers.  Thanks to Sara Coleman Fitzpatrick for supplying cupcakes from the Cupcake Shoppe!

Written by Donna Belt 

The City of Raleigh Must Support The Square Loop

April 21, 2014 /

Dear Raleigh Residents and Elected Officials,

The decision to decide on a new plan for the Capital Boulevard bridge at Peace Street is coming soon. After weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the two plans,we, the Downtown Living Advocates (DLA), want to show our support for the P5 alternative, commonly called “The Square Loop.”

Our members have voiced, in majority, support of the Square Loop as we feel this new plan will be the best option toward creating a better sense of place, encouraging new development, and connecting the area along Peace Street to our current urban fabric.

The Square Loop is in keeping with the values that were adopted by our City Council in the Capital Boulevard Corridor Study. The DLA asks that our elected officials continue to support the best options for the Capital Boulevard corridor and promote alternatives, like the Square Loop, that create better pedestrian/bicycle friendliness, urban environments, and new growth in our downtown neighborhoods.

We want to thank all parties that have been involved in the planning process, including those at NCDOT and Raleigh City Staff, that have shared information with the DLA about this critical project.

With over 1,000 registered members and many more supporters, the DLA wants to continue to be involved in Raleigh’s growing downtown area.

Downtown Living Advocates

A Bridge to Raleigh’s Future: The Decision is Now!

April 11, 2014 /

Here’s a quiz:  Guess where this is?

  • You rarely see people walking here.
  • It’s located just a few blocks from a commercial center and downtown entertainment district.
  • It’s within the downtown improvement district.
  • The area is huge, with lots of potential

Answer – see map

As the downtown revitalization has continued to move forward, an area like this could be expected to have attracted a lot of attention, yet developers avoid it.

cap_blvd2

 

A favorable bridge redesign offers to spark redevelopment

With the bridge over Peace Street at its useful life, a forward-friendly redesign of the bridge could be a catalyst to redevelop this important area of downtown.

 

A  design referred to as the “Square Loop” for integrating off-ramp bridge traffic would create a much needed street grid, giving a big boost to the redevelopment potential for the area.  NCDOT has been working with the city for years so this new design is consistent with the approved Capital Boulevard Plan, which envisions a new destination park / waterway and brings Peace Street to a walkable urban form.  Both the city and state are in favor.

With just weeks to decide, there’s a catch.

This is the catch: An alternative bridge design can be done with much less cost ($11 million) as it is basically a copy of the bridge today.  The details on the two options are laid out nicely on the Raleigh Connoisseur blog.

The city has the opportunity to select the “Square Loop” bridge design, identified by NCDOT as the P5 alternative, but with construction of the bridge planned to start in just two years, the design must to be finalized soon.

Decision must be made by May 23rd.

The final public hearing is April 22nd (4-7pm) at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

The DLA encourages all residents to come to the public hearing and support the Square Loop (P5) bridge design.  For more on this important decision, jump over to the Raleigh Connoisseur Blog to read their latest post.

 

Big idea: Observation towers in Downtown Raleigh

March 17, 2014 /

The Downtown Plan work is just beginning, with the first visioning session set for April 2nd.  The  visioning session will include breakout group discussions on how Downtown Raleigh’s role could evolve and transform over the next 10 years.

So what are the BIG IDEAS that will help transform downtown Raleigh and our city?

I  came across this post on SouthwestRaleigh.com with one such idea, placing a group of observation towers around the downtown to view our tree canopy and our beloved cityscape from above.  Suggested spots for towers around downtown include Devereux Meadows, Dix Park and St. Agnes/Oakwood.

Jump over to SouthwestRaleigh.com to read more about this “Above the Oaks” idea, including how the towers could serve as a focal point and a connection for neighborhoods.

map_above_the_oaks

 

 

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