sfmartin

I too think 12 months is pretty good - granted hardscaping and landscaping may not take that long, but the removal and relocation of utilities and potential street work are always very time consuming.

I can't see that property being rezoned to allow for condos - I suppose anything is possible, but if you want to see community opposition, screwing with that area would be a sure fire opportunity.

^ I went this weekend and they have just raised the price of a rafting trip from $33 to $39. It was packed on Sunday - perhaps a bit too busy on the water, but fun none the less. Our guide said the weekday numbers will drop off severely now that the kiddos are going back to school. I didn't get a chance to check out the trails or the ropes course but everything else was very nice.

^ I think MC is referring to CVS's lack of response to the neighborhood's concerns/requests and their plopping in the same tired old suburban store model rather than something that would extend the urban appeal of Central that exists East of Pecan. In other words, they don't really care - which is typical of larger corporate retail. More of that would be the 'others' refered to.

Remind me who James Funderburke is? And who won the argument(s)?

^ I only see porch furniture on one of the units facing Central ... not a good sign. It may be ugly, but I was hoping it would fill up and create some more pedestrian traffic. When is Zada Jane's opening? Didn't Cinco indicate that it was going to open last summer?

I noticed a "For Lease" sign with a rendering of a new 'development' roughly in front of the White Rabbit on Central ... from the quick glance I took it looked substantial; I did not catch the name of the developer or anything else really. Anybody know about this?

I couldn't agree more - I don't remember this being mentioned to or by any of the surrounding neighborhood associations and I can't imagine it being well received. That will definately not improve Central's image.

I'm shocked, shocked that anyone would let this happen! Think of the precedent being set.

Tried Intermezzo Pizza over on Central at five points - they've done a very nice job inside, though it is a bit on the small side. The pizza isn't the best I've ever had, but it was very good (and I have high standards for 'great' pizza). Wait staff was swamped but nice and kept their composure. They have a decent draft beer selection for their size - didn't look at the wine list. If the other corners of the intersection would perk up it could be a nice location.

While we're asking questions ... anyone have info on this rezoning? Looks like they will have to demo three buildings, two of which have that classic old look that I would prefer not be turned to rubble. The petitioner is Budget Developement (not the best name) and it looks like storage units??

^ You can work backwards in this thread to where Conformity sheds some light on what is going on ... I don't think DG or VisArt are on the radar, but Roy White's and the empty lot next to it are as are Jacks and Phil's Stone on the other side. Different developers.

You can get a little better idea of what Jackalope Jack's is planning to do at the old Steeple Lounge location by looking at their rezoning petition. I like it - more interaction with the street with the outdoor dining; rooftop lounging ... should be fun.

^ That's a bad sign for the dream of keeping the chains out of PM/Central! I don't know that I care if Little Italy goes away (don't eat there) but if it does I'd rather see dense development on that site fronting Central rather than a generic restaurant plopped down in a sea of asphalt.

That is a great view! The Vue and Trump and One Charlotte will really add to it.

All of the developers/builders have to follow the design book/ master plat produced by Torti Gallas for Graham Development - that (plus some) is what you saw with the rezoning petition. The Keane Musty pdf is the result of an architectural study and I don't believe it is binding, perhaps not even relevant. Beazer is developing the piece shown in the KM study plus all the other parcels along that stretch from Morningside to Westmorland (or whatever that street it that runs by the armory). It leaves plenty to be developed by others, but it will be disapointing if 'others' are on par with Beazer. Not what I had hoped for with this development.

BTW - the developer/builder for that entire strip currently being demo'd (S of McClintock) is ... Beazer.

smack

^ I read somewhere that the parent company pulled the plug on the local franchises ... the local franchise holder converted his two stores to Moon Dog Pizza; or whatever the name is. The pizza tastes exactly the same though. I think this is one of the only markets that Mellow Mushroom has pulled out of ... not sure what kind of problems they were having.

^ So have you written a letter to WF on behalf of Woodfield Elizabeth and the 300+ future residents of the apartments?

Speaking of Starbucks ... and Crisp, I guess; is there some restriction on their using the "parking" area out front as outdoor seating? It stinks as a parking spot - and can be dangerous when Suburbans try to back out onto 7th. Seems like it would be a great spot for chilling outside, but surely they would have already if they could. ??

Noticed today that they've started site work at the old Party Reflections location - sorry I forget the name of the apts...

I noticed on the way in this morning that they are gutting the building now - I don't know why they wouldn't take a more direct approach the the demolition; unless there are hazardous materials to be disposed of ...

This is why more developers don't try to be more visionary and work on a grand urban scale and why we continue to get more of the same schlock. If it ain't the gov't peeing in your pool it's another shortsighted developer/retailer/corp.

That is awful news - I can't see how Whole Foods would be any more profitable in SouthPark than on Elizabeth, unless Grubb's terms were too tough. This area is ripe for a natural market of some sort. Not that I expect to have any influence, but I wrote Whole Foods corporate and asked them to rethink. Whole Foods contact