Raleigh, NC (WNCN) – The Municipal Council of Raleigh will continue to examine Rezon’s request 81 acres around the center of LenovoAsking the developers to continue to examine pedestrian safety problems.
Tuesday evening, the Council held a public audience on the rezoning of the sports and entertainment district project of $ 1 billion. A big goal at the hearing was the security of pedestrians for the students of Cardinal Gibbons High School who is on the other side of the street.
Jamie Schwedler of Parker Poe, who represents the developers, said that the entertainment district is a vision of four decades.
“This zoning is the last step to give life to this vision, to become a reality and has become a new economic engine for the region,” said Schhwedler.
The region would have retail, restaurants, apartments, the office and more.
Cardinal Gibbons High School students want to ensure that they can safely access these new amenities. Dozens of students showed up at the public hearing.
“For students like me, the idea of having new restaurants and bringing together spaces nearby is something that really fascinates us,” said student Lola holderness.
Holderness, however, said that it was already difficult to go to the Lenovo Center and that it fears that it is even more difficult by more attractions.
“If the sidewalks, pedestrian crossings and pedestrian signals have not been integrated into the plan from the start, this could create a dangerous situation for students who try to cross or walk to the region,” said Holderness.
Tim Throndsen is the chairman of the board of directors of Cardinal Gibbons. He said that he would like to see an official condition in the zoning request forcing developers to respond to solutions safety problems in the final plan of the site.
“We believe that this change, and with solid plans for pedestrian safety as well as traffic security, our community can go from prudent supporters to enthusiastic defenders,” Throndsen said.
He is particularly concerned about the crossing of Stephen Stroud Way, whom he expects that students use the most to cross the region.
City transport officials said that a signal would not be appropriate because it is too close to other intersections.
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“We believe in this project, and we are delighted to see him come to life, but we also know that Smart Planning today will protect students tomorrow,” said Austin Govey, student of Cardinal Gibbons.
Schwedler said the developers are committed to continuing to work with Cardinal Gibbons in terms of security. Throndsen has said that they had appreciated the collaboration so far.
The municipal council will again examine the request at its meeting on April 15.