It looked to me like they’re slowly removing all the windows and replacing with plywood, either to sell or reuse elsewhere. Noticed the windows were also pulled out of the other government building near the science museum before demolition.
But perhaps they’re just keeping people out.
A lot of those windows had been broken and there have been a few break-ins over the last couple of months (often during storms).
But between the plywood over windows and the fencing across any door alcove or courtyard area, looks like they’re just trying to stop anyone using it for shelter.
Where you able to grab one of those flyers? 
Nah but I’m just a block away, I’ll check it out. I assume it’s the same info from the city’s project site.
A glowup like this is needed on this site, obviously not with the same amount of housing units:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DEOI3ZDN2Eb/?img_index=2&igsh=d25rNW5tcmJnMG9k
Also, the last thing we need is a development that consists of just public housing, we need more mixed-housing developments so our neighborhoods can become a lot less segregated.
The city has been good about using the site for events in the interim.
Apr 12, family basket giveaway and mini fair event.
New article from WRAL - not much info but does hint toward the results of surveys.
New Bern neighbors expressed strong interest in incorporating affordable housing, healthy food options and a community gathering space. Engagement surveys also reflected a desire to incorporate jobs that would lift small businesses.
“[We are] making sure we have diverse housing, but also we lost 300 jobs from this corridor, so finding ways to bring jobs in this community,” Branch said.
Not sure if ‘healthy food’ includes a grocery tenant but one can hope.
Here’s my Big Idea for the DMV site.
In addition to affordable housing and a grocery tenant of some sort, what if we had some kind of tool lending library/workspace? This could take several forms, but here’s how I envision it functioning:
As I see it, this would answer several needs:
There are multiple ways this could come to fruition as well:
Obviously, this all would have to attract a good amount of investors, grant providers, and community stakeholders in order to gain any traction. But the idea itself has precedents:
Unfortunately, I don’t have experience with any of this. But I’d love to help get this idea off the ground in whatever way I can. I just see it as being so potentially beneficial, especially in this neighborhood.
Anyone out there agree and/or can offer advice?
That’s good news demolition begins next summer and have already awarded the bid to a company.
I just wish they were more transparent with the actual survey results and said the #1 request with X amount of votes was this or that, especially since they spent 2 years conducting it.
After attending the meetings and events, it was overwhelming to me everyone was leaning towards a decent grocery store.
Yeah the need for a grocery store couldn’t be more obvious. There are none in that area. Plus a community garden with select produce would probably do wonders in that area.
For anyone who is interested in this stuff, check out Shop Space up on Capital Blvd. It’s not quite downtown, but it’s close.
It isn’t exactly what you were describing @dfyoung, but it is nonprofit and community-minded. They’re focused on making heavy-duty tools available for use to people without needing to buy the tool yourself. They’ve got anything you could need for a home project: a dozen welders, plasma cutters, forges, a plasma CNC machine, saws (of every flavor), routers, planes… the list goes on.
I’m not sure they have explicit job-training. The clientele has skewed more hobbyist from what I can tell, but I know some folks have prepared for their welding certification exams there, and they have classes in woodworking, welding, CNC and forging. The people there are really fantastic; they’re very knowledgable and are usually available to offer advice on using the tools or basic planning of projects. I really can’t speak highly enough of it. And monthly memberships are only $75/month for unlimited time on the machines, which is a steal for what you get access to.
(FWIW I have no connection to ShopSpace or anyone who works there, I’ve just really enjoyed my experience with it. My wife and I took an intro woodworking class on a whim and we enjoyed it so much that we are planning a couple of projects. And I’ve since taken three of their welding classes.)
That’s amazing! I wasn’t aware of this. As it happens, I actually know one of the founders. I’ll have to reach out!
+1 for shopspace. I’m there three times a week. It’s great for if you want to take up a hobby that requires heavy machines but don’t have a place in your apartment to put heavy machines. I just wish it were a little more bikeable from downtown.
Back when I did big brother big sister, we did the blacksmith class with them and it was a ton of fun. Great great experience for a teenager. It was over in boylan heights back then.
This site really might have the best skyline view and would see each of Omni, Creamery, and One Nash towers as well.
Here’s hoping for at least one “tower” (even 10 stories would be amazing)
most likely just to keep vagrants out…zero plans have been submitted. nothing is going vertial anytime soon.
They could demo the building to reduce insurance cost on the site while they work through the design phase.
