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I’m still awestruck by the destruction caused by the tornado to the Caraleigh community in Southwest Raleigh. I got a chance to visit some friends from Caraleigh Mills last night, their apartment was destroyed and they aren’t sure when they can move back in.
I recently saw that Earp’s Seafood (pictured above) is planning to rebuild. Earp’s has a prime location on the corner of South Saunders Street and Maywood avenue. I’m excited that they are looking to rebuild. But is this a chance to really do something special?
As tragic as the damage is, I see opportunity. Some people are concerned about a mass exudus from the businesses on South Saunders Street. I see this as an economic boost. The short-term will not be pretty, but Earp’s is primed to be the cornerstone for South Saunders Street and really set the tone.
How cool would it be if Earp’s redeveloped into a 2-3 story building—a seafood market on the first floor and a restaurant above? And it’s not just Earp’s that has this opportunity. The other businesses have a chance to rebuild and redevelop.
I would like to see the City of Raleigh Planning reach out to this impacted area to explore a small area plan. Let’s give this corridor a common vision and partner with the Caraliegh community and create something great.
This is a chance to set the tone for the urban development that is clearly desired in the Comprehensive 2030 plan and a key entrance to downtown Raleigh. What do you think?
I completely agree with you about this Jason! I for one visit Earp’s at least twice a year to buy oysters. Hopefully many others will view this as an opportunity.
That sounds like an awesome idea for Earp’s. Very glad they are rebuilding and hope they use this as a springboard to become a leader in the area.
You are definitely right. All cliche sayings aside, after mother nature wipes the slate clean, you get a chance to remake things. Caraleigh is a hidden gem and I think its potential is often overlooked. There actually is a small area plan for the area, but it sort of wipes the mill village off the map and creates a new business area that connects downtown to Centennial Campus. While this is admirable to some degree (uniting two important areas of the City), it ignores the core attraction of the area…the village atmosphere. Earps is of course a key part of the small scale, walkable village feel. The City would be smart to revisit the area, and think along the lines of walk up restaurants, sidewalks, bus shelters, boom traffic signals, and maybe even historic district status for the original houses still left (I have seen 7 lost in my seven years at the Mill). Sanborn maps show 3 small brick commerical buildings once were at the intersection of Maywood and Saunders, before it was widened. A pretty red brick neo-industrial building for Earps might be a nice homage to what once was (the gone three buildings) and what still is (the Mill).
Keep in mind that many of the uses on S Saunders are non conforming and need variances to even rebuild at all. It’s up to the insurance companies to determine what the facilities were worth and also for property owners to decide if they can afford to rebuild on their site with the money available.
Add in the fact that most businesses that need to rebuild are losing a year of income while they’re trying to keep their staffs intact, during the recovery from a major recession, and the “opportunities” are somewhat limited. I can assure you that for most the main concern is trying to re-establish your facility while hoping that you can retain a client base after being absent from the market for a year.
I wish good luck to everyone affected by the storm as they continue to try and recover.