When there are long stretches of uninterrupted residential new building eg all along Homestead Road with no places for neighbors to gather eg micro commercial like Cedar Falls where THE PIG etc are that too is a shortcoming. That area now being completely developed has seen no commercial to reduce car trips w eg coffee shop post office outpost and restaurant it heaven forefend a CONVENIENCE STORE w Gas pumps not to mention completed bike lanes connecting to completed bike lanes along Seawall. Granted homestead traverses 3 jurisdictions but all the more reason to focus some placemakkng there.
When 140 west was being developed I suggested a big semi circle of steps facing the street w a fountain
leading up from the street to a colonnaded set of storefronts creating a shady spot fronted by some built in people watching space
This is a thoughtful review of what the new Council will soon be dealing with. I am hoping the Mid Town pilot project advocated by Ms Keesmat is in fact the Sheps building. I had heard it might be the Root Cellar, Flylead, etc - which is a center full of local businesses.
The mid-town pilot is a collaboration between UNC and Chapel Hill. UNC is paying for the concept plan and the only property they still own in that area is Sheps.
This is what happens when the year-round residents don't support the downtown businesses. It's sad--downtown Franklin Street used to be a very dynamic place for people of all ages.
When there are long stretches of uninterrupted residential new building eg all along Homestead Road with no places for neighbors to gather eg micro commercial like Cedar Falls where THE PIG etc are that too is a shortcoming. That area now being completely developed has seen no commercial to reduce car trips w eg coffee shop post office outpost and restaurant it heaven forefend a CONVENIENCE STORE w Gas pumps not to mention completed bike lanes connecting to completed bike lanes along Seawall. Granted homestead traverses 3 jurisdictions but all the more reason to focus some placemakkng there.
When 140 west was being developed I suggested a big semi circle of steps facing the street w a fountain
leading up from the street to a colonnaded set of storefronts creating a shady spot fronted by some built in people watching space
Ah well
Good work Terri
Healthy & prosperous 2024
This is a thoughtful review of what the new Council will soon be dealing with. I am hoping the Mid Town pilot project advocated by Ms Keesmat is in fact the Sheps building. I had heard it might be the Root Cellar, Flylead, etc - which is a center full of local businesses.
The mid-town pilot is a collaboration between UNC and Chapel Hill. UNC is paying for the concept plan and the only property they still own in that area is Sheps.
That would be good news!
Speaking of a place making. A friend from Durham sent me this: https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2024/01/city-lindas-closing-breaking
Why is it that such a smart town struggles with keeping landmark places while also growing?
This is what happens when the year-round residents don't support the downtown businesses. It's sad--downtown Franklin Street used to be a very dynamic place for people of all ages.