Catalytic Project Areas in Raleigh NC
Five Areas of Downtown have been identified to serve as examples of how the themes and actions translate into physical form.
Gateway Center: On downtown’s southern edge, the opportunity exists to extend downtown several city blocks, facilitated by large parcels, consolidated ownership, and city-owned property
Seaboard/Person Street: This project focuses on improving connectivity through renovations of Peace Street and street scape improvements to Blount and Person streets with better bicycle and pedestrian access providing connections between urban neighborhoods like Oakwood and Glenwood South.
Glenwood Green: This project focuses on creating a new urban park at Devereux Meadows, an improved block pattern created by the Peace Street Bridge replacement, and a greenway connecting Glenwood South with areas to the north and south
Moore Square: More than any other catalytic project area, this one focuses on large public investment in the park and transit center renovation, along with redevelopment of key, publicly owned parcels near the square to help revitalize this historic district.
Nash Square-Raleigh Union Station: A renovation of Nash Square, improved streetscaping and programming for the Hargett and Martin street corridors toward more pedestrian and retail oriented uses, and connecting Raleigh Union Station to the rest of downtown are all a part of this project area’s vision.
RETAIL STRATEGY
A major initiative of the Downtown Plan is a robust retail strategy. Improving the retail environment is one of the most important goals for the downtown community and the Downtown Plan highlights this need by building off of existing retail efforts. Actions include targeting authentic retailers, identifying a toolkit for retail, and improving way finding, art, pop-ups, and park-lets.
The goal of “Breathe” is to transform downtown Raleigh into a center for innovative urban parks and appealing green spaces, as well as improve existing parks and expand park access to undeserved areas of downtown. Actions include renovation of historic squares, addition of new parks at Dix and Devereux Meadows, extending the greenway, and creating sustainable funding and governance structure for these parks.
The goal of “Move” is to enhance street character and uses along key streets to make walking, biking, and transit the preferred ways to get in and around downtown, while still accommodating automobile traffic. Actions include creating a complete pedestrian and bike network, enhancing transit, and reviewing parking and street grid enhancements.
The goal of “Stay” is to provide a balance to downtown, where all are welcomed through strategic new growth and redevelopment. Actions include:
Maintaining downtown character and authenticity through historic preservation and adaptive reuse, public art, and high-quality new construction
Ensuring downtown remains clean and hospitable
Encourage the development of vacant and underbuilt sites to fill the entire downtown with active uses
Create a robust retail environment in downtown to include a combination of local and destination retail
Ensure downtown has a diversity of housing opportunities at different price points
Partner with non-profits and Wake County to address homelessness and work to secure housing for the homeless population
A study done by downtown Raleigh alliance