Plotting plans for the core of Cary

Mar 10, 2010 — The Cary News

Sadia Latifi

Mar. 10, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- CARY -- For decades, Cary ballooned outward with pricey subdivisions, office parks and shopping centers, leaving its small town core virtually unchanged.

The town made serious headway to change that in 2001, adopting an ambitious downtown master plan that envisioned high-density, mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly development to support downtown businesses and entice regional transit traffic.

That's still the end goal, officials say. But a sluggish economy and an uncertain future for regional rail have slowed progress.

In December, town officials decided to delay spending on specific capital projects, including the four-year-old downtown streetscape project that focuses on street, landscape and other aesthetic improvements in the area. Plans for a digital media center have been closed indefinitely.

"We're not able to focus on the glitzy stuff right now," said Jeff Ulma, the town's planning director. "But it's an organic process, and I'm optimistic. Everyone wants this to happen."

For now, the town is doing what it can. The town is renovating the Old Cary Elementary building into a community arts center, acquiring land for a downtown park and designing an array of signs for the area. Water and sewer improvements are moving forward, too.

And officials are taking time to refine old plans for Cary's core.

At a town retreat in January, staff suggested an alternative "districting" proposal for downtown's core, the area radiating out two or three blocks in each direction from the intersection of Academy and Chatham streets.

The new model for downtown splits the area, about 1,000 acres, into three districts with distinct attributes.

Here's what downtown could look like:

Downtown South

The area surrounding the old Cary Elementary building up north past Waldo Street would maintain its small-town feel while adding several cultural destinations.

Staff said it was important to protect historic buildings and preserve the quaint, village character of this area. The community arts center and town park would be the centerpiece. A new county library and a digital media center -- if plans for it are revived -- could also anchor the location.

A performing arts center could be built in this area. But planners worry about traffic and parking limitations.

The historic character of the neighborhood could also limit the size and scope of a performing arts center.

Chatham Street

Under sunny skies, the sidewalks on Chatham Street were empty Thursday afternoon. Shops such as The Top Drawer and India Bazaar of Cary were quiet. A few storefronts were totally bare.

It's disappointing to Ralph Ashworth, longtime owner of Ashworth Drugs.

"Apex is way ahead of us, Holly Springs is ahead of us," he said. "We need more retail of all kinds."

Under the proposal, Chatham Street expands as downtown's retail hub and the major east-west gateway into the core.

There are plans for more shopping, restaurants, nightlife and residential lots above retail stores.

Ashworth is cautiously optimistic.

He worries the town will cut parking and turn Academy Street into a construction mess.

Downtown North

The area between Chapel Hill Road and the railroad tracks between Walker Street and North Harrison Avenue could get a sleeker look.

In the staff proposal, Downtown North is a new "front door" to the town with the Town Hall campus and the train station as current anchors. The plan calls for modern, taller buildings, hotels and office space that would update the industrial feel of the area.

In one of the town's suggested configurations, a future performing arts center could utilize the large parking deck at Town Hall and provide another destination for the area. There'd also be more economic development opportunity here than in the Downtown South area.

If a performing arts center does move into this area, Walker Street would almost certainly need extension all the way to Chapel Hill Road, according to town staff reports.

Challenges ahead

The town center area has already been rezoned. The recession gives the town some time to revisit old concepts and rethink the 2001 plan.

But there are challenges.

It's arduous -- and expensive -- to buy small parcels of land downtown.

Private developers have to play a large role in downtown development. Public-private partnerships have had limited success thus far.

Officials also worry downtown redevelopment could be delayed by rail plans.

The N.C. Department of Transportation received a $545 million grant in January to expand high-speed rail service between Raleigh and Charlotte.

The money will include faster, more frequent stops and an upgrade to the Cary train station, located on North Academy Street, including an expanded passenger station, platform and parking lot.

To accommodate higher speeds and ensure safety, it's been customary for state transportation officials to close railroad street crossings.

And they don't need permission to do so. Closing the crossings at Academy Street and Harrison Avenue could slow redevelopment, or alter it entirely, some officials say.

"We fear this could impede on the ability for people to move around in this area," Councilwoman Jennifer Robinson said at a transit work session last month. "We don't feel like we could go on with the redevelopment of downtown."

Even if they didn't agree on all the specifics, council members seem energized by the alternatives.

"Downtown needs a destination," said Mayor Harold Weinbrecht at the town retreat.

sadia.latifi@nando.com or 919-460-2612

Newstex ID: KRTB-0268-42755937