Alright y’all, we have some updates to the NC State physical master plan that includes some new renderings and maps. Overall, though, I think the plan is phenomenal and will help transform NC State into a truly great urban campus. Here are some highlights:
Main Campus
Highlights
New large residential hub and campus dining facility directly west of Dan Allen (Bragaw, Lee, Sullivan, Fountain to be torn down)
Several main campus streets to be converted to bike & pedestrian only: segments of Stinson Dr., Broughton Dr., Faucette Dr., Dan Allen Dr. (see below), Lampe Dr., Current Dr.
Dan Allen Dr. realignment; current segment in between Witherspoon and Bragaw to become large pedestrian plaza
Pullen Bridge replacement renderings! (see images below bulleted list)
2-way cycle tracks all over the place
Softball stadium moved next to baseball stadium, current softball field along Morrill Dr. replaced by new multi-purpose building
Bus hub along Cates Ave.
Pedestrian bridge over railroad tracks from (roughly) Broughton Dr. to Talley Student Union area
Various intersection improvements, including Western Blvd. & Avent Ferry Rd.
That covers about everything, but I still recommend checking out the plan for yourself! The Board of Trustees will vote on the plan sometime this month. If you’re a fan like I am, I highly recommend submitting feedback with your support to the online form at NC State Physical Master Plan (ncsu.edu).
When I was at State (98-02) we regularly walked to IHOP and Cameron Village, but never made it all they way to downtown. Ironically, it was so close and we never did it. Hillsborough Street was in pretty rough shape back then and has come a very long way to improve the experience. I never thought of State as an “urban campus” when compared to VCU in Richmond. But in hindsight, I guess it is a pretty urban campus compared to may other of our UNC system schools. One of my twins wants to go to State. I hope for her sake, she gets a better urban experience than I did back in the day.
There was a lot of student feedback about the Western Blvd crossings feeling unsafe. The master plan is highlighting it as a priority and then if/when this project is undertaken it’s documented as being something that needs to be addressed. This is just providing guidance for future projects, but it does read pretty funny on the image hahaha
That mixed with all the other people moving to town and you realize how far behind we are on building housing. The downtown core will suck up everything in the pipeline right now quick.
I wonder if the City/NC State would partner up on any sort of redevelopment of the Mission Valley shopping area at the same time? I was looking through the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and they mention a lot of opportunities for a TOD-centric mixed use development right there. Would make sense since there’s a BRT station in the graphic above within walking distance.
I agree, this is badly needed. One of my greatest fears is Mission Valley being “redeveloped” to something akin to its current form – e.g., little housing and tons of parking. Not sure how an effort to purchase and redevelop the property could be initiated, of if it’d be possible, but the property is vitally important. Not to mention, the City has implied that the Avent Ferry Rd. Corridor improvement project is likely contingent upon a redevelopment (or would at least become a priority once redevelopment occurs).
I know none of this “Centennial East” development will actually happen, but seems like a better effort for a more cohesive ‘urbanish’ district would be to connect Centennial and Centennial east instead of having an island of surface parking and giant boulevard barrier. And then keep the natural edge of Centennial connected to the natural edge of Dix. Smaller footprint could lead to denser development there than spreading out Texas doughnuts over a larger area.
Just looking at some of the renderings you can see there’s lot of potential. Especially as NC State continues on its trajectory of more and more students attending. Maybe they could include a new movie theater in all of it?
