Pedestrian Takeover

PEDESTRIAN TAKEOVER Brandon Rumley + Corey Wazniak

Plaza West: Current Site

Plaza West Shopping Center, located along a proposed BRT Station on Western Boulevard can transform from an underutilized, car-oriented site to a dense, resilient, human scaled community of mixed use and multi family affordable housing.

Plaza West: Wake County Bus Rapid Transit

Wake

County

Bus-Rapid-Transit

has

proposed

Lines

(BRT)

throughout Raleigh and Cary, North Carolina. Plaza West Center is located along the western corridor of the proposed BRT.

Plaza West: Site Context

Plaza West Center includes a Harris Teeter Grocery Store, Dollar Tree, and several small businesses that currently serve the community. The presence of the grocery store on the site paired with the proposed BRT Stop as well as three other Raleigh Go Bus stops creates the potential for Plaza West to be an impactful anchor within west Raleigh.

03/1998

03/2002

07/2003

03/2007

06/2007

07/2010

05/2017

02/2018

02/2019

04/2018

03/2021

03/2022

Plaza West: Underutilized space

04/2013

03/2014

05/2015

04/2016

10/2016

11/2016

05/2022

10/2022

04/2023

10/2023

03/2024

10/2024

Over 20 years, from 1998-2024, the highest capacity the parking lot reaches is about 47%.

171 occupied 47.3% of total

189 unoccupied 52.7% of total

During our analysis of the site through time, we investigated the utilization of the shopping center. From this investigation, we found that the parking lot was largely underutilized with a maximum occupation of only 43% of the spaces available being used since 1998.

Plaza West: Underutilized space

03/2014

Plaza West: Community Transportation Planning

More: Sidewalks Crosswalks Pedestrian Signals

More: Connections Dedicated Lanes Traffic Protection

More: Apartments Townhomes

An area planning survey was conducted by the city of Raleigh to assess the needs of the community in a 1 mile radius of Plaza West. Currently, only 9% of the 130 respondents said they feel satisfied by current zoning.

A majority of respondents want a variety of denser housing options that encourage safe and comfortable walking and cycling connections.

Plaza West: Current Conditions

Plaza West: Natural Features

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Plaza West Center is located along the top of the Simmons Watershed and will directly effect the areas downstream.

Upon construction of plaza

west, the stream running through the site has been culverted to flow around the footprint of the site and reconnect along the southeastern border of the site.

The Border of the site along the main roads (which host the bus stops adjacent to Plaza west) includes a 20 foot descent in elevation into the site.

Plaza West: Built Features

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Plaza West, along with the planning of the area around the site, was originally oriented towards vehicular traffic. The site plan along with the above images discplay the extensive paved surfaces that cover much of the ground area along with a lack of pedestrian pathways. The buildings in this area are primarily constructed starting around the 1980’s with red clay brick and vinyl siding. There is also a lack of tree coverage and permeable surfaces on the Plaza West site.

Plaza West: Key Takeaways

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Key Takeaways: Lack of Density Little Connectivity No Identity

NX-3-GR-CU

CX-3-GR

RX-3

R-6

Plaza West: Zoning Diagram

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400

Zoning

CX-3-GR-TOD

2 Additional Stories

3 Allowable Stories

30’

30’ Setback

Green Frontage

The Zoning for Plaza West is classified as CX-3-GR; Which stands Commercial

Mixed-use,

3

story

maximum (2 story bonus if affordable Housing) and Green Frontage along Western

Boulevard

and

Jones

Franklin Road.

Plaza West: Physical Conditions

We st

ern

Blv

d.

J

n o

s e

r F

n a

n o kl

R

. d

Plaza West: Proposed Site Plan + Program

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400

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The first phase of redesigning this 10 acre site is

The second phase consists of daylighting the

clearing existing buildings that obstructed the

stream that had been hidden in a culvert since

southeast neighborhoods from walking or biking to

1985 when the site was developed. With the stream

any of the goods and services on the other side

being uncovered, native vegetation will flourish and

of the strip mall.

provide habitat for pollinators and other organisms.

Clearing the Site

Daylighting the Stream

Next, multi-use pedestrian paths are strategically

Lastly, the pedestrian connections have informed

carved to serve the community’s needs and provide

where buildings should fit to compliment the scheme.

accessible

The challenges that come with Plaza West offer

connections

from

bus

stations

to

commercial and residential buildings.

opportunities that this project capitolizes on.

Community Connections

Building Placement

Plaza West: Residential Building + Unit Plans

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50

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400

Typical Unit Plans

Unit Count

Micro Apartment

288 Sq. Ft.

Micro Apartment

480

1 Bedroom Apartment

576 Sq. Ft.

1 Bedroom Apartment

144

2 Bedroom Apartment

864 Sq. Ft.

2 Bedroom Apartment

176

Total

800

Given the increase in units on site, the square footage of Harris Teeter is doubled from 25,000 sq. ft. to 50,000 sq.ft. to support the larger community. Ample space is allocated for commercial units to occupy as well as adding programmed spaces. For example, the design will feature a community library, childcare facility, and cafe which were what respondents asked to see from City of Raleigh’s survey. Typical floor plans have double loaded corridors with relief at the corners, residents can gather in various common rooms. The units themselves offer quality space even with compact units (murphy bed, balcony, no laundry room).

Living

Kitchen

Bath

Bedroom

Balcony

Walk-in closet

Kitchen

Bedroom

Living Balcony

Bath

Kitchen Balcony

Bedroom

Living

Bath

Bath

Un

ited

Sta

tes

4u

nits

/ac

re

Ra

leig

Plaza West: Unit Density (# per acre)

h

2.5

un

its/

acr

e

Pla

za

We st

0.4

3u

nits

/ac

re Ou

rD

Compared to the general area and even Raleigh and the United States, this design showcases how housing density could look in Raleigh and set an example for other projects along the proposed BRT corridor.

esi

gn

80

un

its/

acr

e

In Section, this strip mall transforms into a community that now experiences a higher quality lifestyle.

Existing Neighborhood

Property Line

human-scaled development that fosters a

Outdoor Play Area

Com

Plaza West: Site Section

mmercial

Property Line Residential

Western Boulevard

Multi-use Path

Harris Teeter Pedestrian Plaza Parking

BRT Lane

General Purpose Lanes

This perspective imagines what the urban street sc

like as it supports more foot traffic thanks to the futur

On the right highlights the stramp which guides peopl

pedestrian realm with social areas to relax and hango

Plaza West: View From Western Boulevard

cape would look

re BRT stations.

le down into the

out on the way.

This final view summarizes the project: a design that introduces dense, mixed-use and multi-family, affordable housing to compliment the proposed BRT route and return valuable space to its pedestrians.

Plaza West: View along the Stream