139 replies to this topic

[DanRNC]

I would assume that since this facility is directly linked to the vet school that the location had to remain there-hence the reason why this is not on the main Centennial Campus grounds. From things I have heard there will be a lot of work done on animal pathogens/microbes. Also there will be an advanced imaging facility for large animals )cows, horses, pigs, etc.) that just is not feasible to locate on the main campus. I do think they need to design this campus to be a little bit appealing but understand the practical limitations as well.

[ChiefJoJo]

Two comments:

1.  I see a positive that they are at least planning on retaining most of the land to the NE near 440 & Wade as open space for the Vet School animals, etc.

2.  This master plan, like most others is preliminary, and given that it has been submitted for review, I'm sure the city will have plenty of comments related to the urban (or lack thereof) nature of the Blue Ridge/Hillsborough intersection.  

Keep in mind that NCDOT/TTA is supposed to build a grade separation at Blue Ridge/Hillsborough so that the trains do not conflict with auto traffic at Blue Ridge Rd--that is the near/long term plan (to raise the grade of Blue Ridge over H-boro and the tracks, TIP project U-4437).  I'm not sure that will help the urban form or hurt it.  I guess with the station being right there it would facilitiate better ped movement as people could walk under the bridge to and from the TTA station and this campus area.

[orulz]

ChiefJoJo, on Jan 3 2007, 11:19 AM, said:

Keep in mind that NCDOT/TTA is supposed to build a grade separation at Blue Ridge/Hillsborough so that the trains do not conflict with auto traffic at Blue Ridge Rd--that is the near/long term plan (to raise the grade of Blue Ridge over H-boro and the tracks, TIP project U-4437).  I'm not sure that will help the urban form or hurt it.  I guess with the station being right there it would facilitiate better ped movement as people could walk under the bridge to and from the TTA station and this campus area.

Chief, are you quite sure that they've picked that alternative? Last I'd heard, there were still other alternatives (such as this one) involving an at-grade intersection between Hillsborough and Blue Ridge.

[ncwebguy]

I hope they aren't keeping the land on the NE corner of Hillsborough/Blue  Ridge "empty" to continue to allow for media parking for the NC State Fair...  The land and secondary road buffer between Hillsborough/Blue Ridge and buildings is crazy.  It could be for "future expansion" but the future is well spoken for with the other buildings as part of this "campus."

Turning two Hillsborough street entrances into one by combining the University Club entrance with the Vet school's is nice, but leaves a long driveway to both areas and disrupts a current grazing area.  With the amount of parking in place for the existing facilities, I would guess there would be more, not less, after the additional buildings?  They do not have any TTA station connectivity planned, yet do not have anywhere for students, faculty, researchers, etc. to park either.  Do they think Wolfline will be enough?

The second building next to the University Club will probably be more ball room or meeting space, which I guess NCSU wants to provide to corporate "partners".  The present building is nice but severely outdated, like a poor person's  Bushwood.

[ChiefJoJo]

Quote

Last I'd heard, there were still other alternatives (such as this one) involving an at-grade intersection between Hillsborough and Blue Ridge.

Hmm, I've never seen that b4.  I only knew that the grade separation was being studied there.  I think that would actually be preferable to a complete grade separation--and cheaper too.  

The most difficult task would be to match all of the grades with the HUGE clearance that is required over RRs (min 23' from street grade to bottom of bridge girder) while still providing clearance for TTA's and  tracks and the future SEHSR corridor.  You'd have to significantly elevate H-St and Blue Ridge, and lower the RR, all while trying minimize impact to neighboring properties.

[DanRNC]

You should hear more about the biomed campus soon as a developer will be picked shortly. Supposedly they already have corporate tenants lined up so construction should start soon.

[citiboi27610]

orulz, on Jan 3 2007, 10:44 AM, said:

Agreed, thanks for the map. NCSU need to make the corner of Blue Ridge and Hillsborough a focus, given its proximity to the TTA regional rail station. I've had enough of this internally-focused bull**** where buildings point their rear ends towards prominent corners in what's supposed to become a walkable district.

Its disappointing for NCSU to build 'suburban' in the new developments (Centennial, Biomed Campus). With such large developments that will become job and education centers for the area, the university could do so much to influence private development in those same areas and too their own benefit.

If the buildings in the Biomed Campus were built in a more urban style for example with buildings constructed up to the street edge, there could be first level retail and shops. These spaces could be left open for and filled as needed. It'll be a natural move for private developers to continue this style and also fitting to have an area already retrofitted for continued urban development.

Residential could also be incorporated by a private developer. This is prime land and should be used to the fullest. NCSU might not be able to stop sprawl in N. Raleigh but it can put a bit more thought into its new developments and make a difference in how people in this area live, work, and even play.

[DanRNC]

Article on Biomed Campus

[DanRNC]

Centennial Campus is getting its golf course. I guess the hotel is still a no-go.

Link

[ChiefJoJo]

If you look here, apparently it's been named after Lonnie Poole, the final donor.

The Arnold Palmer Signature Course is planned as an 18-hole, 7,025-yard, par-71 public course.  The environmentally friendly course and facilities will cover about 200 acres in the southern portion of Centennial Campus. Eventually, the facility will include a clubhouse and a 12,000-square-foot building that will house classrooms, working labs, meeting and conference rooms, and offices.

The plan is to open the golf course in spring 2009. NC State continues to raise funds for the project, which carries a total cost of about $11.6 million - all of which will be raised through private donations.

The site is just north of I-40 and west of Lake Wheeler Rd.

[DPK]

This dates to 2005, but at least it gives some idea of what's going on as far as location.  Click on the image for a bigger one.

[pack-man]

its about time they start construction on this.  this has been on the drawing board for years.  i believe palmer's group designed the course in 1999.  it was embarrassing that ncsu didn't have a campus golf course.

[DanRNC]

The BTEC facility should be finally opening this spring. A similar facility BRITE, yet a bit smaller, will be opening on the NCCU in the next year or so.

[DPK]

pack-man, on Mar 5 2007, 02:36 PM, said:

its about time they start construction on this.  this has been on the drawing board for years.  i believe palmer's group designed the course in 1999.  it was embarrassing that ncsu didn't have a campus golf course.

The university does have a golf course out by the Vet School.  It's called University Club, but it's not maintained well.

[ChiefJoJo]

The University Club is really an embarrassment, and they'd be smart to relocate to Centennial once the new golf course is done in 2009, and they will find another use for that land by 440.  I'd guess it would go to the Vet school, given the new biotech campus is going to infringe on existing Vet School land.

[ncwebguy]

I think the Universtity Club's "golf course" is a short par 3/pitch-and-putt/"executive" course?  It might only have nine holes as well.

The NC State golf team doesn't play "home" matches there, the way UNC plays at Finley and Duke plays on theirs.

With the Alumni center moving to Centennial, the University Club will move too.  They have done little to upgrade those facilities.

It used to be the "Faculty Club" but not enough faculty wanted to be members.  They opened membership to alumni to make ends meet.  I went there once to look at their reception hall, but it felt like Bushwood from Caddyshack, with few changes made since the 70s.

The Vet Schoo/biotech campus will make better use of the land, especially if the cows could be moved further east and the Hillsborough/Blue Ridge corner near the TTA stop was more urban!

[DanRNC]

Is the alumni center open yet? It seems like they have been working on that thing for ever. It does look rather swanky-maybe a bit over the top.

[ChiefJoJo]

^ Yes, the Park Alumni Center is done.  It's kind of tucked away behind Lake Raleigh, but has a really nice view back to the campus area.  The golf course will go in just south of there.

[DanRNC]

Centennial Campus added 17 new companies this year for a total of 76. I have to say I am pretty impressed with these numbers. It will be interesting to see how UNC stocks Carolina North and if their pace will approach that of Centennial Campus'.

Newsletter

[DPK]

Quote

David Bracken, Staff Writer
RALEIGH - When John Gehringer caught a 7-inch bluegill in Lake Raleigh on Saturday morning, it was a long time coming.

Not for 8-year-old John, a savvy fisherman used to such triumphs, but for the lake.

Since Hurricane Fran destroyed Lake Raleigh's dam in 1996 and drained, the lake has largely been off-limits to the public. That changed Saturday, as N.C. State University and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission officially re-opened the 90-acre lake as a public boating and fishing spot with three piers.

Located on NCSU's Centennial Campus, the lake is home to a variety of fish, including largemouth bass and catfish. A new boat ramp allows people to launch canoes, kayaks and any other watercraft not powered by gasoline.

Lake Raleigh's return to prominence might surprise those who know its history. Built in 1912, the lake was used as a water supply for the city until the mid-1980s. Following Fran, the lake remained a mud pit until it was refilled in 2001.

A cluster of townhouses and condos has since been built along the shore, and plans for Centennial Campus call for more development near the fishing piers.

The piers and an access road were built using a $130,000 federal grant. Tom Covington, who oversaw construction for the state wildlife commission, said the project was built with the knowledge that in 15 or 20 years, it might be replaced.

"Hopefully, now that it's here, people will want to keep it," Covington said.

The lake is meant to be used for recreation, research and education by NCSU students and the public.

Saturday's event catered to young and inexperienced anglers, though you wouldn't know it from all the fish being caught.

"This is my first time fishing, except for catching a car," said McKenna Cabot, 9, who said her previous experience involved borrowing a neighbor's Barbie fishing line and deploying it in her driveway.

Even more experienced fishermen, such as John Gehringer, were impressed with Lake Raleigh.

"I like it here," he said. "I think I'm going to fish here a lot."

source: http://www.newsobser...ory/607110.html


I stopped by today to check things out and there were quite a few people there.  There are only about 8 parking spots and they were all full, which is my only gripe.  There's a ton of parking along Campus Drive however.   I didn't have my camera with me, but I'm going to try and take some pictures and post them.  It really looks great to see it open again!  Going to break out the tackle box this week and see what I can get there.