![\"crabtree2(aptsonright)\"](\"http:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighpublicrecord\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/crabtree2aptsonright-771x514.jpg\")
<\/a>James Borden \/ Raleigh Public Record<\/p><\/div>\n
Although Crabtree Mall opened in 1972, residential development in the area had been taking off since the mid-1960s. The wooded, architecturally unique Brookhaven subdivision, for example, located on the north side of Glenwood just past the intersection with Creedmoor, saw many of its houses built in the late 1960s.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As the mall grew, the surrounding area grew with it. In addition to commercial and office spaces, which draw the most traffic, residential properties began cropping up: duplexes, townhomes, single and multi-family.<\/p>\n
The specific area in which Creekside is set to be built is already well represented in the residential real estate department. Crabtree Woods, just behind the parcel, was largely built in the late 1970s and early 1980s. There\u2019s also a number of multi-family and senior living facilities nearby, and right down the street, there’s another new community coming in. That one, called Crabtree Village, will also include retail and office spaces alongside a 293-unit luxury apartment complex.<\/p>\n
One of the largest concerns \u2014 aside from the fact that, like the mall, these new developments are located in a basin prone to flooding \u2014 is the potential impact on traffic in the surrounding area. During the morning rush, 8,000 cars pass through the area each hour; 10,000 per hour pass in the evening. So the next time you\u2019re stuck at the Lead Mine\/Glenwood intersection at 5:30 on a Tuesday afternoon, take comfort in the fact that your misery is shared among 9,999 other unfortunate commuters.<\/p>\n
When Creekside was brought before the Planning Commission in 2011, the developer presented a traffic study that estimated the development would have a total of 12,947 “trips” per day, although the plans for the site at the time also included office and retail space. Courtesy News & Observer<\/p><\/div> Happening Now-Ish<\/strong> James Borden \/ Raleigh Public Record<\/p><\/div> James Borden \/ Raleigh Public Record<\/p> Country Day Montessori School is building a new location on Kent Road.<\/p><\/div> Not a bad price, but there\u2019d have to be a lot more cash on the line for this reporter to even consider eating one of those horrible sea monsters. Those things can fertilize their own eggs, and that\u2019s the *least*<\/strong> disgusting thing about them. First Watch may not be at a Denny\u2019s level of cleverly named breakfast items \u2013 Moons Over My Hammy, anyone? \u2013 but judging by the company\u2019s website, the food itself certainly looks like to be of a higher caliber. And if there\u2019s one thing you can trust, it\u2019s the menu photos on the websites of chain restaurants. The Glenwood location is one of five First Watches scheduled to open in the region. A River Wild<\/strong>
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\nGiven the property\u2019s location, much of the new traffic flowing out of it will likely filter onto Creedmoor Road, and not directly onto Glenwood, as much of the current mall traffic does. Whether this will alleviate any of the added congestion brought by the hundreds of new residents remains to be seen.
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\nCheck out this\u00a0excellent timeline<\/a>\u00a0our City Hall Bureau Chief Ariella Monti put together last August for more on the history of this stretch of Glenwood Avenue.<\/p>\n![\"Glenwood](\"http:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighpublicrecord\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/Glenwood-Leadmine-Timeline_Intersection_NO-771x612.jpg\")
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\nThere is one obvious fix to this ballooning traffic problem of course, and if the City Council would only open their eyes to the possibilities afforded by a genuine, bona fide, electrified six-car monorail<\/a> \u2026why, I swear it\u2019s Raleigh\u2019s only choice. Plus, the area\u2019s brain-dead slobs could all be given cushy jobs. And to those who say they\u2019re awfully loud \u2013 they glide as softly as a cloud. (Simpsons references aside, didn\u2019t somebody actually just propose this by NCSU? Or was the Indy pulling my leg?<\/a>) <\/p>\n
\nWhile Creekside \u2013 referred to as the \u201cCrabtree Place Apartments\u201d in permitting documents \u2013 was, at a cost of more than $36 million, the largest project to get the final go ahead for construction from the city last week, it was far from the only significant residential development to receive permits.
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\nThe Villages of Swift Creek in southwest Raleigh will soon be adding three new townhomes. Sunnybrook Estates in southeast Raleigh will see an even bigger expansion; 17 permits for new townhomes, which will cost between $54,000 and $69,000 to build, were issued last week.
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\nThe CVS at Glenwood and Millbrook is set to begin a $9,301 repair project to repair damages inflicted to the exterior when an errant driver struck the pharmacy with his car earlier this year. These kinds of accidents are more common than most might think. This reporter recently witnessed the aftermath of one out in the barren suburban wastelands of Cary, when a driver mistook the lobby of a nail salon for an indoor parking space. No one was injured. The driver claimed his brakes went out. Naturally.<\/p>\n![\"cvs1\"](\"http:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighpublicrecord\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/cvs1-336x196.jpg\")
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\nPerhaps there would be fewer incidents involving cars crashing into large, immobile structures if more drivers had attended places like Country Day Montessori School as children. Known for its unique approach to early-childhood education, the school is building a new location on Kent Road, just off Western Boulevard before the entrance to the Beltline. This reporter understands the desire of parents to give their child every possible advantage, so if that includes sending them to a place where you need to develop an entirely vocabulary of jargon just to follow along, so be it.<\/p>\n![\"Country](\"http:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighpublicrecord\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/montessori2-771x377.jpg\")
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\nGlenwood Avenue \u2013 the nightclub section downtown, not the mall area \u2013 will soon be adding another restaurant this reporter has no desire to ever visit. Shucker\u2019s Oyster Bar \u2013 seriously, it\u2019s like eating slime, and that\u2019s coming from someone who enjoyed escargot \u2013 is getting built out at 510 Glenwood at a cost of $11,800.<\/p>\n
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\nIn tastier news, Glenwood Avenue \u2013 the Pleasant Valley area in north Raleigh near that aforementioned CVS \u2013 will soon be home to a new First Watch, a breakfast, brunch and lunch chain. Instead of serving up cold, mucous-y\u00a0Crassostrea gigas<\/em>,\u00a0First Watch features menu items such as the Chickichanga tortilla and Key West Crepeggs. <\/p>\n
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\nComing Soon<\/strong>
\nCity Council didn\u2019t deal with a significant amount of planning or new development this week, although they did give their approval to two oft-delayed projects during the public hearing phase.
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\nThe first will allow for 48 apartment units spread across two buildings, plus an additional community building to be built off of Tryon Road near Lake Wheeler. The case was a continuation of a hearing held June 3, which was continued to June 17, then to July 1 and finally July 15.\u00a0 The delays were due to issues relating to the property\u2019s frontage.
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\nThe second case was one we\u2019ve mentioned a few times, most notably\u00a0here<\/a>, and would allow a bail bonding business in south Raleigh to continue operating. Bondsman David Beasley brought along his friend and neighbor Doris Burke, who spoke on his behalf at a CAC meeting last week and did so once again in front of City Council, extolling the virtues of allowing the business to continue operating. The Council voted unanimously to approve Beasley\u2019s request.<\/p>\n
\nAs anyone who\u2019s recently driven around the Triangle knows, Charlotte\u2019s Got A Lot\u2122. Part of that \u201clot\u201d includes the U.S. National Whitewater Center, a spot this reporter has visited and the sheer awesomeness for which he can personally vouch. Whitewater rafting in a semi-controlled environment! People falling out of kayaks! Ziplining over the rafting rivers! Kevin Bacon! Well no, but considering how things turned out for Meryl Streep and David Strathairn, that\u2019s probably a good thing.
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\nPlans for a whitewater park of Raleigh\u2019s own, the Falls Whitewater Park, have been brewing for years. Recent discussions<\/a>\u00a0among City Councilors regarding the parks bond have signaled that none of the money will go toward the project.<\/p>\n
![\"Raleigh](\"http:\/\/theraleighcommons.org\/raleighpublicrecord\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/fallswhitewaterplan_600.jpg\")
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