East Cary Gateway

[DPK 92]

Figured that since this is getting to be more likely to happen lately, it deserved its own topic:

 

Sources:

• http://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article146287254.html
• http://www.columbiadevelopment.com/eastern-cary-gateway/

[Jones_ 231]

From the Mayor: “One thing I wanted and asked for is a view from Cary Towne Boulevard down toward Wegmans,” he said. “What am I going to see? Am I going to see a big box? What we don’t want to see is a big box and a parking deck so if you can make it look more like a village, which they have, then they accomplish more of what we were trying to achieve.”

Apparently if you put lipstick on a pig it isn't a pig any longer. I realize large grocery stores and other large department stores are here to stay, but a chief issue in Cary has always been this illusion within the Town that they are not the strip mall, chain store, big box capital of the whole State. Sorry Mayor...giving Wegmans a brick exterior and fancier bushes, doesn't make me want to live next to it...

Why is the development of actual proper urban areas just not even whispered anymore?

 

[DPK 92]

Yeah I really don't see how they really made it any better of a view coming down Cary Towne Boulevard.  There's nothing "urban" at all outside of a parking deck in that corner of the site plan.  It's a stereotypical strip mall right there with just a nice facade.

[Jones_ 231]

Sorry, I didn't mean to be all negative on the post....thanks for keeping us up to date  The whole idea that a box isn't a box if just don't call it a box obviously irked me. 

The biggest positive outcome for this project to me is the Trinity Road connection...

[Brendan 11]

Wow. I didn't expect the response to be negative.  Compare this plan to Park West Village.  It was originally supposed to have more gridded "streets" with stores, only to turn into big boxes, huge parking lots and outparcel strips.  

The entrance is beautiful.  While the Wegman's gets everyone attention, I do like the two main streets with the boutiques, restaurants and stores. 

Now how does this affect Cary Towne Center? While they may get an IKEA, it doesn't replace the entire mall.  They have to come up with a modernization plan to de-mall and develop something nicer.  They are going to be stuck with a crappy interior mall or outlet mall if they don't do something.  Has anyone heard of any plans beyond IKEA.

 

[Jones_ 231]

I see where this is much better than Park West Village. My chief complaints are partly seen in the marketing moniker...'mixed use destination'. It's got walkability and mix-use components but still is primarily a drive-to destination development. Also its main streets are not streets at all, but just parking lots with their drive lanes aligned a certain way...sort of like Daniels "street" in Cameron Village. Also the pedestrian bridges would never be included in a development where street level, pedestrian life was the primary focus. North Hills short comings are similar. Until the car:person ratio comes way from down from .8:1 in the US, I suppose this is about the best I can ever hope for...

[KJHburg 13028]

Lots of good retail is coming to East Cary Gateway in addition to Wegmans. According to this site plan Nordstrom Rack, H&M, Forever 21, Sur La Table, Free People, and lots of restaurants. (Check out this marketing package some of the print is so small I can't read it) and with IKEA opening nearby this will be a major huge retail area.

http://properties.theshoppingcentergroup.com/property/output/center/detail/id:3529/#docs

 

[Jones_ 231]

Interesting that the mall couldn't pull off getting these very traditionally mall oriented stores. People are throwing off the yolk. Sort of...