The plans for the second phase of the development near the intersection of Hillsborough and Morgan streets have been scaled back dramatically, according site plans submitted with the city.
Jim Zanoni, a principal with FMW, last month told Hillsborough Street Citizens Advisory Council members and local residents he has decided to develop only a portion of the two acres intended as Phase II of the planned development in the 1317 block of Hillsborough.
A much smaller, single building will now be known as 1301 Hillsborough and will sit on Hillsborough at the intersection of Ashe Street and Park Avenue. The new building will have up to 40 apartments; a reduction from the planned 160 units covering two structures on 2.5 acres of land. The building, which will sit on nearly three quarters of an acre, will be residential mixed-use with ground floor retail and with one-, two- and three-bedroom units above.
Jennifer Wig / Raleigh Public Record
As a result of the scaled-back building size, Zanoni told the group he was cutting the parking spaces down to 35 from 284. He said he envisions a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere. Leased parking is available at nearby lots for those who want to pay for it; otherwise, he said, there is public bus transportation and, if the city, has its way, future light rail in the area.
The new 1301 Hillsborough building will look almost identical to FMW’s recent apartment complex, known as 2604 Hillsborough.
“I have fallen in love with this type of project,” Zanoni told the small audience. “It’s very intimate. I just really like the end product.”
Zanoni said there were a few practical barriers which would prevent him from developing the site quickly and affordably. He said he has had difficulty with the contractor completing 2604 Hillsborough, saying the construction took longer than expected and he doesn’t have high hopes this project will fare any better.
“There’s a lot of large development going in Raleigh right now with more coming” and that, he said, will tie up available construction firms.
Nonetheless, Hillsborough CAC Chairman William Allen said he is pleased with the final construction at 2604 Hillsborough and expects to be just as pleased when the new development is finished.
Amy Witynski, who lives near Pullen Park and is the secretary of the Hillsborough CAC, asked Zanoni if he would consider a grocery store as the retail tenant. Zanoni responded by saying a small grocer could be a good fit. However, he has not been in talks with any possible tenants outside of the owners of IHOP, who could cover the entire 4,000 square feet of ground-level retail space.
1301 Hillsborough will break ground in Spring 2014 as will a second FMW project of townhome/flat style apartments currently known as 105 Ashe.
He said he is undecided on how and when he will develop the remaining land around Hillsborough Street.
