Yes, set it as conditions for additional scope (they’ll keep the ped bridge in the mix as that’s the best use of the development accessibility for the developer’s properties) and let Grubb write a check and let the city take over getting the stuff together for transit / sidewalk connectivity done.
Also, sounds like the Whitaker / Atlantic intersection is quite the booger in the works here for access because of RR right of way / grade separation issues along Whitaker? That’s new info (for me).
Access here gonna be quite interesting for some time…
More studies to come…LoLs
something to keep an eye on for the corner site (not included in East End Phase 2)…
permits were just issued here that were applied for by a landscape architect and this description:
Replace existing concrete paving with new asphalt paving. Stripe paving for 11 parking spaces (10 standard plus 1 handicap space). Replace existing retaining walls with new CMU wall. Install new gravel access paths and planting areas. No significant change in impervious surface.
owner is ACS509 LLC → August Construction Solutions??? They do some great adaptive reuse so maybe a change of use of the building and some new exterior patio area??
Well that’s neat. I was gonna say maybe it’s just gonna be a paid parking lot, but you’re right, ACS does awesome adaptive reuse projects (across the country even). Curious to see this. Whatever they do, it’s bound to look better than it does now!
just curious…i was watching the planning commision footage concerning pedestrain conflict issues with sidewalks and competing RR interests along peden steel road and to some extent laurelbrrok and a proposed cut through to a bus stop on capital. is there precedent for cities to make the railroads bend to a development wishes? many years back on i think it was mission valley road the small houses along it essentially were put below a berm nearly roof high to make the road and additional development. i know some of those homeowners were furious. it just seems in some of these meetings the railroads have some mystical power…and especially when it involves what was described as a non-used spur. i was wondering why all the headaches with RRs to play ball like any homeowner has too when stuff IS going to get done. is it a federal law of some sort or something else?
I think the question you’re really asking is why aren’t railroad properties subject to eminent domain seizure by city and state governments, like most private land. And I believe there is some kind of federal law protecting them, likely due to their century and a half of power and lobbying.
I went to East Bower Cider Co. for the first time yesterday - really cute spot, good outdoor setup with fireplaces. I’m doing dry January but had a try of my friend’s flight and it tasted great.
Cool to see that whole development, honestly, I never knew how much was tucked away back there.
Either that or they could reduce the road to one lane in either direction, eliminate all medians and dedicated turn lanes, reduce the speed limit to 30mph, and install stop lights and crosswalks at every intersection. Seems reasonable to me.
Oof, it’s such an important artery to get from downtown to points north. I think Atlantic gets to be the designated car-friendly road.
That intersection is not an easy one for anyone as currently designed. Between the slope of the hill and watching out for the busy road coming in from the left, there’s limited visibility that the road curves left for drivers who aren’t used to it.
The Wake Forest / Brookside / Capitol intersection is even worse, so I’m happy it’s getting prioritized, but this one clearly could use a rethink as well.
All of the discussion here about sidewalks around East End Market and Iron Works got me curious, so I took a walk. I live a stone’s throw from the intersection of Wake Forest and Whitaker Mill, so this is a frequent conversation topic for me and my girlfriend and I’m glad we’re not alone in our obsession over sidewalks haha. I’ve walked this stretch of road many times but thought I would be nice to give it a go with yall’s comments in mind and see what was up. Apologies for the wall of text that follows.
We frequently walk to Dock 1053 and it kinda sucks. I was really surprised no sidewalks were built on Whitaker Mill as part of the East End Market development. There are essentially no sidewalks on Whitaker Mill between Wake Forest and Atlantic. At the WM/WF crosswalk, you cross to just a curb cut with no sidewalk beyond it. This crosswalk is on the south side of the street, and there is no crosswalk to get back to the north side where East End and Dock 1053 are. On the south side, I dont think there is much room for a continuous sidewalk without moving the overhead distribution lines. On the north side, there is a pretty much continuous sidewalk width strip all the way from Wake Forest to Dock 1053. Once you get to Atlantic, there is a curb cut on the southwest corner of the intersection, but no crosswalk or sidewalks on the other side of the road. So to walk from Snoopys to Iron Works, you cross WF at the crosswalk, then jaywalk across WM to East End Market, then walk to Dock 1053, then jaywalk across WM to the SW corner of the Atlantic intersection to get to the curb cut and avoid getting hit by traffic turning left when the light turns green. Then when you finally cross Atlantic, you have go back across WM again and hop over the guard rail which has no opening for pedestrians. Pretty rough pedestrian experience.
Some observations from the journey: It seems like both East End Market and Iron Works put a ton of thought and effort into creating appealing and comfortable pedestrian experiences within the developments, but almost completely neglected that on the outside. If you want to walk to East End Market, you have to walk up their driveway to get to a sidewalk, they didnt seem to have pedestrian access from the street in mind when they did that. Iron Works in particular is a wierd dichotomy of super pedestrian focused on the inside, while being all but completely isolated from pedestrians on the outside. Even the sidewalks on Atlantic that Iron Works put in pretty much only connect their apartments to the other side of the development, while being guardrailed off from the rest of the area. With some good planning and careful growth I think the area as a whole could really become a nice connected place to walk and bike around. But in their current state all of these developments feel like islands of pedestrian friendly spaces with no connection between them. Im hopeful that this will be addressed sooner rather than later.
Gonna upload some pics in a separate post in a sec
This spot at Iron Works, in between the double gable buildimg and the apartments, looks like maybe jmthey had a future corssing of Atlantic in mind. Otherwise, I dont see anyone ever using these steps, they dont really lead to anywhere currently. Maybe a future bus stop?
Some perspective of how close things on the other side of the railroad tracks are, and how nice a connection to that side would be. This is taken from the top floor of the bowtruss building, looking east/southeast towards Crabtree Blvd.
On a lighter note, I saw some progress being made on some of the restaurants.
East End Bistro, beside the cider place in East End Market, looks pretty much finished! I didnt take any pictures of the inside since there were people in there working, but the interior looks like they could open tomorrow. Heres some pictures of their outdoor seating setup.
It’s unconscionable to me that the city isn’t requiring sidewalks EVERYWHERE that there’s new development within the city limits. This is especially true for ITB locations that are a stone’s throw from downtown.
I’m a bit out of the loop on this thread. Will there actually be a pedestrian bridge around here?
Also, are there any known plans to eventually install sidewalks around (and improve the intersection of) E Whitaker Mill and Atlantic? Seems crazy that this is not a priority, if not the case. An otherwise short walk will now generate many unnecessary car trips for the plethora of residents about to move to RIW (and nearby).
Also how about upgrading the “bike lanes” on Atlantic
I said the same a few months ago on this thread and was reminded that sidewalks along WM were included in the east end market PD so probably phase 2.
It’s just weird to me that they put those trees and grass where it’s supposed to be.
@RaleighD good observations! I also live super close and jaywalking is part of the experience to go to Dock 1053 when coming from wf road, no way around it currently…
