14 Likes
They need to rebuild the museum in a more modern and suitable way for the area. Maybe like the art museum in Charlotte so a building can be built on top or something. They could even possibly have a 4 story church like building that is modern and contemporary in style 
The house is the museum-it gives us the idea of where he was from and the history. I think keeping it would be a better idea, but maybe making that side of the lot a small park or something and the side of the Lincoln a big 15-20 story mixed-use building, maybe implementing the Lincoln in the facade and keeping it as ground retail.
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I donât think you understandâŚ
IMO the Pope House should stay right where it is.
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Maybe it will force some actual creative architecture if the Lincoln and Pope house stay put and developers have to build over/around them.
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Personally it could be a good addition to an expanded NC History Museum with a focus on NC Black History.
In the end, the Prince Hall District will disappear and replaced with high priced offices and luxury apartments/row houses/condos. Itâs a harsh reality. Even Shaw University is looking to shrink its presence in this area. Moving Pope House closer to the NC History Museum will ensure its future relevancy to NC citizens and Raleigh residents.
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Gray bricks, gray EIFS, gray metal panels, and aluminum slats to look like wood.
I donât really mind a 1 story McDonaldâs here, but too bad it couldnât have been slightly more creative design. Recently remodeled one at DisneyWorldâŚ
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Even just moving it closer to Shaw and make it a center piece of a black history museum park. Or could it go right next to the Lincoln?
In an ideal world, Pope House would stay in its location and be a popular attraction showcasing some interesting history. But it is just so small and slightly out of the way that i think it doesnât get very much visitation.
Pope House is city owned while the NC Museum of History is state owned, but it does seem like if the entities could work together and relocate Pope House next to the History Museum that could really increase its profile. Maybe, as @Francisco mentions, have it be part of an expansion focusing on black/AA history.
Pope House is a cool little piece of history, but it seems like it kind of languishes in the current setup, and it seems to small to really be a draw on its own. Needs to be part of something bigger to get more visibility.
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Iâve frequented the Lincoln for about 10 years, except the past year or so. Iâm not really sure whatâs going on but last time I was in there (Hopscotch in the fall), the whole place seemed to me like it was falling apart. The ceiling was was caving in, the bathrooms were also a complete mess, broken sinks, toilets, etc.
Second level is usually closed off for most shows due to attendance. Itâs been bad for a while.
It seemed like they gave up a while before this shut-down mess, and I canât see them really making it out of it. My hope is it goes to new management who will fix it up (stretch), instead of developers to knock it down. Current situation wonât last much longer which is a shame.
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We went to the Railroad Earth concert at the end of February at the Lincoln and it was sold out(both floors). Oddly enough the average age in attendance was 60+, maybe it was the bluegrass.
They have never been known for cleanliness and yes I think the bathrooms are terrible, but it almost seems intentional with all the stickers and graffiti. I tend to make several shows a year and they typically have large attendance numbers, but I agree, they could spend 1 weekend and fix a majority of it. Maybe itâs the vibe they are trying to pull off
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That sounds like a slackerâs rational . . . I look like a slob because thatâs the look I am going for. My poor hygiene is intentional. 
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I havenât eaten at a McDonaldâs in probably 20 years, and they usually look like garbage outside. I wish it was going away, but having an updated new one on that site is better than whatâs there. So I call that a good thingâŚ
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I know they received a quote for a new marquee that was $30k, and that was too big of a pill to swallow. They are financially strong, although the Lincoln ownership went out on a limb and opened State Theater in Greenville with mixed results. Iâm sure some renovations / repairs at Lincoln are on hold until they become a little more stable in Greenville.
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Its worth reemphasizing that the Lincoln Theater itself is a Jim Crow era theater. It is part and parcel to the history which the Pope House represents as well. It would make a great Rialto style theater showing arthouse stuff and while youâve got the educated masses in there seeing arthouse flicks, let them enjoy the african american history exhibits that I also have mentally displayed in there. I always thought just moving the house to the opposite side of the block, facing Blount, would be ideal to keep the lower scale along Blount but free up the Wilmington St side for something bigger, in the 12-15 range as a transition.
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The S. Baptist Center is still standing (hotel part of this block).
FYI. The McDonaldâs work has nestled its way into this thread while technically not being on this block. Iâm ok with it as the McDs probably doesnât need its own thread.
2 Likes