SH resident from 2016-2018 and also can vouch for Robert being great! I guess I was fortunate enough to live in the building for the first few years and had no complaints except that I was a bit more aged than many of the younger professionals in the building. I still made friends there I keep in touch with today and do hope they get it back into good shape and a good reputation for downtown living.
5 Likes
I fully expect that if Turnbridge has invested in SH that a few things are likely true 1. This area will accelerate development and something is in the works 2. The Bus Station issues are time limited as well as the Moore Square drama 3. The gravel lot next door will have some movement 4. They see the current downtown public investment as a driving catalyst.
4 Likes
Do you believe that Turnbridge (a private company) has the sway to control what happens at both the bus station and Moore Square (owned and operated by the city)?
No, but I think they have enough supporting data, analytics, and success to not invest in an area where they will receive little to no return. With Moore Squares issues and bus station pressure it’s likely they know enough to not be concerned about the future trajectory of the area, supporting my #2.
1 Like
Wouldn’t be surprised if it was part of securing the upcoming RFP for Moore Square East and South.
5 Likes
I like your thinking. Hope you’re correct!
You can always depend on me 
3 Likes
Well, that absolutely Depends.
5 Likes
In related news, Turnbridge, the developer of this tower, is purchasing the Skyhouse for an undisclosed price, according to the Biz Journal. The 320-unit building is 94% leased and they cited they are buying it below replacement cost. I would say this is a big vote of confidence in downtown Raleigh and its future.
14 Likes
Something has changed in the last several days. The loitering, the hollering, and overall crazy behavior, has been noticeably reduced. Not completely gone, but a whole lot less as well as an increase in police presence. What if the problem really was drug related and not the homeless, like those of us who live downtown were saying all along.
I have to give the city credit where it’s due, this is a big step in the right direction. I hope it continues, let’s see how this weekend and following weeks go.
28 Likes
I have walked through Moore Square three times. Once after the sun was down. After the all the drug busts. The energy felt calm in a way I had not experienced In Moore Square in recent memory. Who know if it will hold. Police were definitely in force and present. I for one felt safer. The unhoused don’t bother me. It’s the crime and the harassment and dark alley behavior that is frankly unnerving. I am glad it is working for now. Fingers crossed.
15 Likes
I drive down the Person St side of the park almost daily - I did notice the last several times I drove by there were significantly less people loitering around the east side of the park than there used to be.
2 Likes
Well when you allow a public no enforcement zone where people know they can basically get away with whatever that’s where they will congregate for drug dealing and shenanigans!
7 Likes
Hey wait a second, I’ve been the one shouting from the rooftops that it is a drug issue and not a homeless issue for a long time now.
7 Likes
The city and several organizations benefit from the narrative that its a mental health and homeless crisis, that way they can ask for money, funding, bond measures etc. Come to find out a somewhat simple and concentrated law enforcement operation made a much larger difference than expected. Moore Square is a highly visible issue the city and these orgs can point to that helps promote this narrative, thus the somewhat lax policing we have seen in the area prior to this point.
7 Likes
I wouldn’t say the city themselves benefits from the narratives. It’s in the city’s interest to fix that area to create more taxable income in downtowns since they drive taxable revenue that goes back to the city.
That said, I certainly get that there are groups that could and would profit from it. Have read more than enough stories about California’s situation.
6 Likes
The N&O reports that the city wants to attract more families to Moore Square and are considering three options for new play features.
IMO, a play structure could make some difference, but I think many, many people would say what the area really needs is to have the issues at the bus station addressed.
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article317414761.html
12 Likes
3 posts were merged into an existing topic: GoRaleigh Bus Station
Hmmmm….These ‘canopy exploration’ play areas would’ve been even more impactful BEFORE the $13MM renovation that removed a ton of the old trees here in the square……
Realistically, this area requires a multi-pronged approach that’s standard procedure, not some ‘special focus’ and that approach is a rigorous and consistent combination of oversight / enforcement to weed out bad actors, better services to assist / reintegrate those struggling with homelessness / mental health issues, targeted revitalization of City Market for all hours activation, targeted redevelopment of the eastern properties abutting the square, all of which culminates in more people present performing normal every day, varied activities in and around the square / station to balance the overall feel of the area. ‘Simple’ but not easy….
5 Likes