539 replies to this topic

[Mith242]

Thia, on Dec 6 2006, 07:24 PM, said:

The Growth Group has a sign on the property north of the new location of Lacuna Furniture, on the northeast corner of College & Rebecca behind the *fortune teller’s shop.  I've also heard they own most of the properties west of there on Trenton.  I do not know what plans they have for the area.   It's up to one of you to get the scoop!

Whatever happens in the 500-700 block of N. College, the walkability of crossing the road for access to both the east and west neighborhoods needs to be taken into account.  That stretch of College is a speedway and it's an obvious path for pedestrians to cross College to access Wilson Park.  I can’t image anyone confidently allowing their children to walk to the pool in the summer from the east neighborhood.  College is a state highway so that throws some obstacles into the mix.  Their job is to move high volumes of traffic quickly… they resist traffic calming suggestions.    

By the way it’s wonderful to look into the showroom of Lacuna each night as they arrange their inventory.  Looks fun!!  Great reuse of a formerly unattractive building.  

*I love Fayetteville!  Have your fortune told then cross the street for your modern home furnishings and then -if you dare- cross College and finish up with a cup of Joe.

Yeah that is funny.  I've been meaning to get over there and post a few pics.  Maybe this weekend.

[mzweig]

strmchsr77, on Dec 7 2006, 01:29 AM, said:

Ask Ruskin (Ward Davis) he may have some info on the project since he works with Growth Group.  I know that they have mixed use and condos planned for the old FDC and Trenton street area.  But Ruskin may have the edge on this project.

I understand they own the whole block, including Baba's, the old clinic, and even the apartments that face Wilson Park, and that they have no finalized plans whatsoever for what they will eventually do with it.  Whatever it is, I am in favor of it (and I am an abutter)!

[strmchsr77]

mzweig, on Dec 7 2006, 05:03 PM, said:

I understand they own the whole block, including Baba's, the old clinic, and even the apartments that face Wilson Park, and that they have no finalized plans whatsoever for what they will eventually do with it.  Whatever it is, I am in favor of it (and I am an abutter)!

Your close.  They don't own Baba Boudan's yet because I manage that property and know where the rent goes.  They do own the old FDC as well as a number of older houses and maybe that old motel behind Baba's.  I don't know who owns the old Nick's station just north of there but I would guess that GG has it too.

[mzweig]

strmchsr77, on Dec 8 2006, 10:29 AM, said:

Your close.  They don't own Baba Boudan's yet because I manage that property and know where the rent goes.  They do own the old FDC as well as a number of older houses and maybe that old motel behind Baba's.  I don't know who owns the old Nick's station just north of there but I would guess that GG has it too.

They definitely own the apartments that front Wilson Park, that I can tell you.  They used to have part ownership of that station but traded out some equity from what I understand on these other parcels.

Who owns Baba's then?  I thought the folks there told me once that they were going to be displaced by this development.  Growth Group must have an option on it, then.....?

[strmchsr77]

mzweig, on Dec 10 2006, 06:58 PM, said:

They definitely own the apartments that front Wilson Park, that I can tell you.  They used to have part ownership of that station but traded out some equity from what I understand on these other parcels.

Who owns Baba's then?  I thought the folks there told me once that they were going to be displaced by this development.  Growth Group must have an option on it, then.....?

There is work in progress right now.  I am not 100% sure what is going to happen but hopefully it will end up with them owning it.  There are big plans for that area of town.  I hope everything works out in the end.

[mzweig]

strmchsr77, on Dec 10 2006, 11:42 PM, said:

There is work in progress right now.  I am not 100% sure what is going to happen but hopefully it will end up with them owning it.  There are big plans for that area of town.  I hope everything works out in the end.

Me. too.  It's ugly and that motel doesn't draw the best crowd.  I sure hope Baba's can stick around, tho.  Best coffee in the world.  Great folks, too.

[mzweig]

I was talking to Penguin Ed the other day.  He owns 3.5 acres of property on the south end of College right where it turns into School street (Archibald Yell is what we call this area) and he told me he is thinking of planting about 500 crepe myrtles (sp?) to make this "The Crepe Myrtle District."  That would be cool!

M

[Mith242]

mzweig, on Dec 14 2006, 03:48 AM, said:

I was talking to Penguin Ed the other day.  He owns 3.5 acres of property on the south end of College right where it turns into School street (Archibald Yell is what we call this area) and he told me he is thinking of planting about 500 crepe myrtles (sp?) to make this "The Crepe Myrtle District."  That would be cool!

M

Wouldn't that be the oddly shaped block that Sassafras is/was?  Some sort of downtown park could be an interesting idea.  But it also won't be too far away from the future Renaissance.  I'm hoping the Renaissance is going to really spark that area and it becomes a rather active spot.  Could also be a good spot for some sort of future development as well.

[strmchsr77]

Mith242, on Dec 14 2006, 05:08 AM, said:

Wouldn't that be the oddly shaped block that Sassafras is/was?  Some sort of downtown park could be an interesting idea.  But it also won't be too far away from the future Renaissance.  I'm hoping the Renaissance is going to really spark that area and it becomes a rather active spot.  Could also be a good spot for some sort of future development as well.

I belive it is the area there next to B&B BBQ (Penguin Eds).  He had mentioned to us that he was thinking of building on to the old restaurant which is a pretty good idea considering there is a waiting line everyday for seats at lunch.

[masons_dad1]

mzweig, on Dec 14 2006, 03:48 AM, said:

I was talking to Penguin Ed the other day.  He owns 3.5 acres of property on the south end of College right where it turns into School street (Archibald Yell is what we call this area) and he told me he is thinking of planting about 500 crepe myrtles (sp?) to make this "The Crepe Myrtle District."  That would be cool!

M

Penguin Ed was the only food vendor at the Fayetteville Renaissance Festival. Good BBQ. The "Crepe Myrtle District" idea sounds very cool.

[Mith242]

I like the idea of having a 'green' park close to the downtown area.  Not sure how traffic from 71B would affect it.  I also think it's close enough to the future Renaissance to become a more valuable property for development in the near future.

[strmchsr77]

Mith242, on Dec 14 2006, 02:34 PM, said:

I like the idea of having a 'green' park close to the downtown area.  Not sure how traffic from 71B would affect it.  I also think it's close enough to the future Renaissance to become a more valuable property for development in the near future.

I am not sure how this would effect the restaurant or the park area but aren't they going to redo archibald yell and make it into more of a blvd?  This is from the master plan thing.

[cocothief]

Just a random thought about that section of College Ave.

While driving downtown the other day, I realized that if pedestrian improvements can make their way from downtown to the North Street area, a fairly easy extension of trail/sidewalk/pedestrian friendly improvements can be made all the way to Sycamore and the park on the hill behind McDonald's.

The reason is the VA campus, which is largely greenspace, fronts College Ave there for a ways.

Currently its boudaried by an ugly chainlink fence.

Surely the city could get the VA to dedicate some right of way there for a nice pedestrian connection over the hill if improvements to north College Ave can start happening soon.

I believe a trail would work nicely if it cut through this park area and hooked up to the natural hillside park on Sycamore.

Dreaming even further, it could easily be extended via sidewalk connections to connect to the Woodlands Junior High campus down the hill from Sycamore.

[Mith242]

strmchsr77, on Dec 14 2006, 03:26 PM, said:

I am not sure how this would effect the restaurant or the park area but aren't they going to redo archibald yell and make it into more of a blvd?  This is from the master plan thing.

I've heard different things about it.  I'm not sure if anything has been decided yet.

[itk]

cocothief, on Dec 14 2006, 03:30 PM, said:

Just a random thought about that section of College Ave.

While driving downtown the other day, I realized that if pedestrian improvements can make their way from downtown to the North Street area, a fairly easy extension of trail/sidewalk/pedestrian friendly improvements can be made all the way to Sycamore and the park on the hill behind McDonald's.

The reason is the VA campus, which is largely greenspace, fronts College Ave there for a ways.

Currently its boudaried by an ugly chainlink fence.

Surely the city could get the VA to dedicate some right of way there for a nice pedestrian connection over the hill if improvements to north College Ave can start happening soon.

I believe a trail would work nicely if it cut through this park area and hooked up to the natural hillside park on Sycamore.

Dreaming even further, it could easily be extended via sidewalk connections to connect to the Woodlands Junior High campus down the hill from Sycamore.

I think that idea has a lot of merit.... BTW, does anyone actually use that park?  Are there any trails, benches, anything?

[Mith242]

itk, on Dec 14 2006, 06:29 PM, said:

I think that idea has a lot of merit.... BTW, does anyone actually use that park?  Are there any trails, benches, anything?

You know I've never really checked that park out before.  I never really saw anywhere to park but I have seen people over there while driving by.  I'm not sure what all is over there though.

[cocothief]

itk, on Dec 14 2006, 06:29 PM, said:

I think that idea has a lot of merit.... BTW, does anyone actually use that park?  Are there any trails, benches, anything?

The park has a small trail and a pavilion.  Its basically just a nature area; all trees.

[mzweig]

itk, on Dec 14 2006, 07:29 PM, said:

I think that idea has a lot of merit.... BTW, does anyone actually use that park?  Are there any trails, benches, anything?

I have gone up there to eat a McDonald's breakfast with my teenager on the way to Woodland Jr. High.  Not much of a park but a lot of folks seem to park and eat breakfast/lunch up there.

[mzweig]

Thia, on Dec 6 2006, 08:24 PM, said:

The Growth Group has a sign on the property north of the new location of Lacuna Furniture, on the northeast corner of College & Rebecca behind the *fortune teller’s shop.  I've also heard they own most of the properties west of there on Trenton.  I do not know what plans they have for the area.   It's up to one of you to get the scoop!

Whatever happens in the 500-700 block of N. College, the walkability of crossing the road for access to both the east and west neighborhoods needs to be taken into account.  That stretch of College is a speedway and it's an obvious path for pedestrians to cross College to access Wilson Park.  I can’t image anyone confidently allowing their children to walk to the pool in the summer from the east neighborhood.  College is a state highway so that throws some obstacles into the mix.  Their job is to move high volumes of traffic quickly… they resist traffic calming suggestions.    

By the way it’s wonderful to look into the showroom of Lacuna each night as they arrange their inventory.  Looks fun!!  Great reuse of a formerly unattractive building.  

*I love Fayetteville!  Have your fortune told then cross the street for your modern home furnishings and then -if you dare- cross College and finish up with a cup of Joe.

I know the plans are not finalized yet for what they will do here because I have spoken to some of the developers.  I own property (my house and guest house @ 59  and 65 E. Prospect abuts their property on one side.) It's interesting to note, however, that the fortune telling spot is being gutted right now.  I wonder what we will get there?  I hope not "Tony C's House of Fortunes!"  He seems to be in every other business in this town--seedy bars, wild-on honky-tonks, adult entertainment, cabs, restaurants, coffee shops, etc.

[cocothief]

mzweig, on Dec 15 2006, 08:27 PM, said:

I have gone up there to eat a McDonald's breakfast with my teenager on the way to Woodland Jr. High.  Not much of a park but a lot of folks seem to park and eat breakfast/lunch up there.

According to accessfayetteville.org, this park on Sycamore is called Gregory Park and is comprised of 19 acres.

By comparison, Wilson Park is only 21.5 acres.

Gregory Park is primarily undeveloped wooded greenspace.