I was at the meeting tonight. Lots of concern from neighbors, but the good stuff was the preliminary plan for what their idea is for 423 S Blount:
Most of the discussion was about the Prince Hall district and concerns around the area. The plan is also subject to change, this just what their idea is right now.
What concerns are there? Displacement/gentrification?
It’s an empty lot. Who would they be displacing? 
If you make the neighborhood more desirable, rents go up, landlord sell out to developers, etc etc
Sorry I know. Was feeling salty.
I’ve always felt like that lot could use a taller building with no parking, perhaps lease some spaces from across the street. If that takes place here, or anywhere, then I take that a serious sign that downtown is urbanizing. Probably years away but I’m waiting for it. 
There is plenty of capacity in the mid block decks on the west side of Blount in that area.
Could valet park if a boutique hotel.
There were about 5 other people there. Then the lawyers and a representative from the city.
There were a few people worried about gentrification and preservation of the Prince Hall district. There was one guy that wanted to get rid of the Prince Hall district in general. Then there was a guy that had a house in the Prince Hall district and was worried that there would be other building coming in and trying to remove lots from the historic district.
They mentioned that they had the support of the owners of the building next door. Additionally, they mentioned that they wanted this to a tower that begins the deescalation of properties in terms of height while it goes into residences on the outskirts. I felt that the architect connected well with the residents to address their concerns.
It was cool. As far as I could tell, no members of Livable Raleigh were in attendance. I was a bit worried I was going to walk into a shitshow. I made sure before I left to let the lawyers and the owners know that I’d be happy to be a voice of support for them if they needed it.
Two hotels where there are currently vacant lots will go a long ways toward activating that gap in the S. Blount streetscape.
Each hotel is targeting a different segment of the market so can certainly co-exist.
Ambitious plan for a 53’ x 110’ (0.13 acres) parcel. 
EDIT: Should add for those that do not know S. Blount well that this parcel is directly south of the hotel to be built on the S. Blount frontage of the parcel containing The Acorn apartments on S. Person. Density!
Insert two hotels into this dark gap in the pedestrian corridor (appears brighter in photo than to the naked eye).
Keep Raleigh undesirable!
Will probably see something in the wire soon, but looks like the planning commission is meeting on 423 S Blount St next week.
Is that really just a house? Why did they use so much steel for residential construction?
Just a guess but this house is sitting on a very small 0.08-acre lot (42.5’ x 85’). Owner is a principal in a downtown design firm so would be familiar with building techniques for tight infill lots.
Frame was constructed with minimal staging. More like trucked in and assembled.
Is that what happens to your gas tank if you convert to an electric vehicle?
Obv because you don’t need the tank anymore. I’d have used FlexSeal cause I saw a commercial where they put a boat back together and it floated, down the Prince Hall Historic Waterway (to get things back on topic).
No exaggeration but I’d love to see 99 more of these. 
