I really really really hope that this project actually moves forward after this battle to get the lots rezoned. I would hate for all y’all’s efforts to support this to come to naught. Fingers crossed!
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Petition to change the name of this forum to “Leo’s Circle Jerk.”
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Only if you include ‘Leo’s circle jerk’.
When I open a bar at the corner of Peace and West, I’ll name it that. 
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I think it would be better near a roundabout, but it’s your bar…
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We have, unfortunately I don’t think the immediate vicinity of Peace Street would make sense as a spot. Because, well, Peace Street is already there and (though ugly) does provide connectivity.
There is nearly two miles without a place where it is legal for pedestrians to cross the railroad (Whitaker Mill), and another half mile beyond that to get to the greenway where there is actual pedestrian infrastructure, and another half mile past that to the Six Forks Road sidewalk to get to pedestrian infrastructure that doesn’t close for flooding.
A connection from Haynes Street to Fairview Rd would be my pick, it’s a little on the downtown side of the halfway point between Peace and Whitaker, and provides the most direct connection from neighborhoods like Mordecai or Oakwood, across to Five Points.
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As others have said, thanks to everyone who physically showed up to support this. It sounds like it made a real difference.
Like others, I hope this actually gets built, and isn’t just an entitlement play. The contributions to the park and affordable housing are real benefits.
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Today on Raleigh Magazine’s post re: Smoky Hollow I learned quite a few things:
- we have a good city council who “gets it”
- maybe we have turned the corner that the NIMBY’s don’t always get their way
- NIMBY Raleigh resident William Castle is an over-sharer. He apparently is REALLY angry about the rezoning and REALLY REALLY REALLY spends a lot of time thinking (AND POSTING) about circle jerks.
Just wow. … You hosting this week, William? Me and the boys will be right over.
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Alright, now that last night’s jerking is over, let’s move on and quit with any Livable Raleigh bashing. This space isn’t for flamewars.
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Up 'til a few minutes ago stumbling across the Raleigh Magazine Instagram page, I had no idea there were people that were really supportive and upset about the potential of the skateboard shop being a victim of this development. I say potential victim because the development could be a decade away and the skateboard shop could be part of the development. That said, the passion didn’t seem to make it to the city council meeting or any visibility I had prior to the meeting last night. I’m sure some of you were aware of it, just not I. Regardless, those making comments on the Insta page really believe that skateboard shop should have had priority over a development that will return approx $22m in tax revenue over 10 years.
I do hope they manage to find a good place to relocate or are part of the development plans. I don’t see any particular value in the building but I’ve also never been in it. Is there history with this building that would be akin to say, the former Berkeley building?
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No lmao. It’s not 100 years old and is essentially a garage with metal siding. Sure, it sucks Endless Grind will have to relocate but hey… that’s pretty normal and not completely unexpected hahahaha
If I recall Endless is the oldest continuously running skateshop in NC? It hosted major events that brought famous skaters (even to non-skateboarders) throughout the 80s and 90s to the area. NC has produced it’s fair share of professional skaters, and Endless has been a part of that history since the early days. I will be sad if it has to close, but I have a feeling they will find a new place to set up shop.
Raleigh already lost the board shop I grew up going to (Vertical Urge on Six Forks), and it would really suck to lose this one too.
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It was Flythe Cyclery for 70 years until they closed in 2016, that’s all I know about it.
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Then I probably went there as a kid in the 80’s visiting friends that were big into cycling. Certainly a Raleigh staple it seems.
Yeah I really hope they are able to find another location nearby and within downtown. It would make sense for them to be near Downtown Raleigh’s only skate park.
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I am, of course, thrilled that the rezoning passed and thank you so, so much to everyone who showed up in support of this rezoning. I greatly appreciate all of you. You’re really doing God’s work. That said, I’m deeply troubled by the idea that the success or failure of rezonings might in any way be tied to how many people can be marshaled to show up in person for a city council meeting in the early evening. It’s extremely difficult to make it to these things if you have young kids at home. If we want to build cities that are friendly to kids and families and people who don’t work a traditional 9-to-5, it’s hard to do that if parents of young children, or people who work in the evenings, have a hard time effectively advocating for their preferences.
Traditionally, this dynamic has heavily favored nimbys, to tend to be older, so they’re less likely to have kids at home, and wealthier, so they can afford child care if they need it, and more likely to work 9-to-5. It’s refreshing to see the yimby contingent able to match them seat-for-seat on this one.
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The idea that in person representation had anything to do with the actual outcome of the vote was discussed amongst several of us last night and prior to the meeting. I fully believe all counselors had their mind made up going into the meeting as several of them had prepared speeches to deliver during the meeting. That said, I do believe that without the representation last night, it is possible the vote might have been pushed out a couple of weeks per the suggestion of the mayor and Jane Harrison at one point.
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From what I gathered, Jane Harrison was the one pushing for the delay, and was pressuring the mayor to do that beforehand. When it seemed apparent that enough people were there pushing for a vote, and several council members made speeches indicating they had made up their minds (including Harrison, so well played, Mayor), the mayor decided to hold the vote last night. I’m glad there wasn’t another delay, because that’s how downgrades and derailments happened.
But agreed that there is a perception that in person attendance matters, though so do emails to a similar extent, and I don’t love it. But fortunately a bunch of us are rich, childless weirdos and were able to turn up last night. 
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If Endless Grind has been around for decades but only in their current building for less than 10 years, they are not successful solely based on this building. They will find a new spot and move, just like they did a few years ago and will continue on for decades to come.
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Endless has been in this location since they opened in 1986. As others have said Endless is the oldest skate shop in NC and one of the oldest on the east coast. Reggie Barnes the owner also owns Eastern Skateboard Supply in Wilmington which is the largest wholesale distributor of skateboard and surf products. They have talked moving to a new location but there aren’t any concrete plans as of now.
The bike shop operated out of the second floor above Endless. The boxing gym took over that space a little after Flythe left.
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