City floats changes for New Bern Avenue

November 17, 2010

RALEIGH City staffers are floating future makeovers to a busy stretch of New Bern Avenue that could include new sidewalks and other amenities to draw businesses and accommodate pedestrians and public transit.
They're asking for public input at a workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 2 at Milner Memorial Presbyterian Church, near the intersection of New Bern and King Charles Road. The stretch of road slated for changes in Raleigh's long-term planning guide is from Swain Street to WakeMed.
"I'm glad they're doing it, and I want to make sure the stakeholders in the community have more of a role," said Dan Coleman, chairman of the city's South Central Citizens Advisory Commission.
Much like the city's recent planning on a section of Capital Boulevard that leads into Raleigh's downtown from the north, the study is very preliminary. City planners hope residents, community leaders, businesses and prospective business owners will help craft ideas to spruce up the area.
"I don't know that we'll have specific projects, but we can at least package and present opportunities," said Martin Stankus, a senior planner with the city. "A big part of it at this point is just getting public participation. "This is the first impression you get when you're entering it. First impressions make a difference."
New Bern Avenue is the major corridor into downtown from the east. At Swain Street, New Bern is one way to the east, and East Edenton Street goes west.
It's one of the busiest bus roads in Raleigh, said Martin Stankus, a senior planner with the city. And the road has a significant amount of pedestrian traffic, with Wake Med and nearby Enloe High School and St. Augustine's College. Those areas have distinctly different neighborhoods, some of which have undergone recent renovations to single-family homes.
Stankus said priorities could include new sidewalks, because much of the area has none, and ways to improve the quality of stormwater runoff. He said several merchants along the corridor have left or gone out of business. The shopping center at the corner of New Bern and King Charles has several vacant spots. Some who own businesses in the shopping center are nervous changes to the area could affect their businesses.
"I like them making the appearance better," said Anthony Banks, who owns Community Cab, located in the shopping center. "You have a question of if they make improvements, what's going to happen to your lease agreement. Everybody will have concerns."
Coleman said some have floated the idea of a trolley, or light rail system, that eventually could connect the area to Wendell, Knightdale and eastern Wake County.
After residents weigh in, Stankus said, staff will work on formal proposals to roll out next spring. After more public workshops, staff will take the proposals to the City Council for approval in June.

by RAY MARTIN - Staff Writer  

Originally published in the MidTown Raleigh News (N&O), http://www.midtownraleighnews.com/2010/11/17/v-print/4845/city-floats-changes-for-new-bern.html