The area around N.C. State (and the university community in general) doesn't typically get credit for being all that "funky," especially when compared to places like Austin, Boulder, etc. But southwest Raleigh has its own share of cultural and creative amenities, and the Raleigh city council is hoping to take advantage of and promote those strong points.
On June 7, during its regularly scheduled meeting, the council will review a proposal for a grant to fund "a study to identify strategies to greater enhance the unique character of the southwest Raleigh area, and explore opportunities for future private economic development, which will continue to promote the district as a 'creative' place to live, work, and play.'"
According to this link, the project "will help develop and incorporate design, economic development and cultural strategies to preserve and enhance the livability and underlying identity of the diverse neighborhoods in the Southwest Raleigh Creative District, according to the proposal that will be submitted to the Council by District D Council member Thomas Crowder.
The Economic Development Analysis and Strategies for Amplifying the Capital City's "Creative District" study will be a joint venture of the North Carolina State University (NCSU) College of Design, College of Humanities and Social Services, and the Poole College of Management; the City of Raleigh Community Services and Planning departments; South and West Raleigh community members; and other key stakeholders, such as real estate agencies, businesses, and service organizations.
The project area will be bounded generally by the Wade Avenue/Blue Ridge Road Corridor on the north, the Raleigh Planning jurisdiction on the west and south, and the South Wilmington Corridor on the east. Project activities will be based in the NCSU College of Design's Downtown Design Studio, 131½ S. Wilmington St.
The proposed project will:
- Address the historic, social, economic, and cultural context of the southwest Raleigh community and create an interactive website, which will document and map those community assets and values in various formats;
- Facilitate innovative community-based partnerships and involvement in the process by using multimedia opportunities, as well as on-site activities such as exhibitions/open houses, workshops, and focus group meetings;
- Engage various stakeholders, including residents, businesses, artists, designers, and arts organizations in plans and processes to improve community livability and enhance the unique characteristics of southwest Raleigh;
- Develop a vision plan that will support the creation of a sense-of-place for southwest Raleigh, to nurture and support the growth of the creative community and its identity that positions southwest Raleigh as a business-friendly community with a superior quality of life;
- Develop culturally sustainable strategies that contribute to the district's identity and sense of place; and,
- Create a local implementation framework, including the creation of master plans, for a quality and diverse housing stock. Identify public investment strategies for urban neighborhood infrastructure, including design principles, for the development of public spaces, streetscape enhancements, opportunities for communal facilities, and the use of innovative approaches such as stormwater management applications that integrate public art.
The proposal seeks financial support from the City of Raleigh in the total amount of $150,000 over a two-year period, from fiscal years July 2011 through August 2013. NCSU would contribute $10,000 cash in each of four school semesters.
Here's to hoping that even during touch economic times that this project gets the green light. It could be a very good thing for Raleigh, State and the region.
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