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Anybody know what the future development plans are for the Highway 70 area north of the Brier Creek area? I know the Brightleaf at the Park subdivision is there, as is the newer Carolina Arbors development. There's quite a bit of shopping already in Brier Creek but there's still a lot of undeveloped land up that way. Anyone with a crystal ball want to predict what that area will look like in 10 years?
Apologies if this has been discussed to death, I searched and didn't quite find what I was looking for.
I had been looking into this recently because I was looking at some houses in that area. From what I could gather that area originally had plans for some big box stores to go in such as a Lowe's but then when the economy tanked those plans got shelved. It doesn't seem like construction on that has picked back up but I do think that area along 70 will continue to grow over time as Durham grows and the Southpoint area fills in. Not sure how long until that area really gets going though.
Most of that land is already developed. There are a handful of apartment complexes along that stretch of Hwy 70, along with many furniture stores. Can't rip down every square inch of undeveloped land for more sprawl, hopefully Hwy 70 will remain the same. You really can't do much up there due to Umstead anyway. In 10 years, I don't think it'll look different. For that category, look at eastern Chatham County which will gradually become more suburban as time goes by. Also, maybe the stretch of Hwy 70 past Brier Creek in Durham County. Northwest Raleigh can't really build up more.
Just to clarify, I'm wondering about the area north of Brier Creek, up where the "Brightleaf at the Park" neighborhood is. The area around where Leesville hits 70.
I know th area you are talking about. I live a few minutes up Sherron Road from there. There are plenty of strip malls south of that area. I don't think the area can support too much more of that. It might not be a bad idea to leave it alone for now.
Just to clarify, I'm wondering about the area north of Brier Creek, up where the "Brightleaf at the Park" neighborhood is. The area around where Leesville hits 70.
My bad! Yes, that area will eventually become more developed. In fact, I'm a little surprised it isn't more developed in the first place. Back when RTP came to town, areas along these lines should have been the first to be developed. However, tons of folks seem to prefer Raleigh over Durham because of negative stereotypes they've heard. I doubt this is the only reason, but it is interesting how the areas of northwest Wake County are developed west of Hwy 50 (Norwood Road, Leesville Road) while the areas right across the border in Durham County are more rural. There's a big difference between driving on Leesville Road in Wake County and driving on Leesville in Durham County.
My bad! Yes, that area will eventually become more developed. In fact, I'm a little surprised it isn't more developed in the first place.
Exactly! I figured something might be "in the works" for this area, if maybe just stalled by the economy. From a purely logistical standpoint it seems like a well situated area with easy-ish access to both RTP and downtown Durham.
I know most of us who live in Brightleaf would really like a new grocery store to open in the area. Had heard that Harris Teeter was going to build down by TW Alexander and 70, but no signs of construction. The lack of a decent grocery store is the one drawback to the area; otherwise we really love Brightleaf because it's so convenient to everything - 10 minutes to RDU, 15 minutes to Southpoint, 10-15 minutes to Brier Creek, 10-15 minutes to DPAC and the ball park. Of course, with Fendol Farms opening, we might finally get a grocery store. However, there is the problem of Durham Schools, but since you get much more house there for less money, you can afford to send your kids to private.
My bad! Yes, that area will eventually become more developed. In fact, I'm a little surprised it isn't more developed in the first place. Back when RTP came to town, areas along these lines should have been the first to be developed. However, tons of folks seem to prefer Raleigh over Durham because of negative stereotypes they've heard. I doubt this is the only reason, but it is interesting how the areas of northwest Wake County are developed west of Hwy 50 (Norwood Road, Leesville Road) while the areas right across the border in Durham County are more rural. There's a big difference between driving on Leesville Road in Wake County and driving on Leesville in Durham County.
Part of the reason for a rural feel in this area of Durham is as you mention -- the negativity about Durham, an attitude that is changing, but will take a while to totally unwind.
Another, less-appreciated reason: water flows from highest points to lowest points, and in NC, generally in a southeastern direction, from the Piedmont through ENC to the ocean.
That part of Durham is immediately upstream of Falls Lake, so Raleigh drinking water quality trumps growth in much of eastern and northern Durham County.
A true Wake Co. partisan would note that the portion of Durham Co. in question was actually part of Wake, subdivided from the county when Durham Co. was carved out of Orange Co. in the 1800s.
A Durham partisan, like me, will grouse that while Raleigh and Wake have been quick to support the water quality rules for Falls Lake and the concomitant restrictions on east/north Durham growth, Wake folks seemingly have no problem with Frankie Eagles' Rolesville suburban expansion efforts, despite _that_ being right on the edge of a future Wake Co. reservoir; or with Cay-ree and its neighbors bulking all up along the east side of Jordan Lake with nutrient-filled golf courses and chem-lots, even as Durhamites fight development in the NC 751 corridor to protect your Jordan water quality.
I know most of us who live in Brightleaf would really like a new grocery store to open in the area. Had heard that Harris Teeter was going to build down by TW Alexander and 70, but no signs of construction. The lack of a decent grocery store is the one drawback to the area; otherwise we really love Brightleaf because it's so convenient to everything - 10 minutes to RDU, 15 minutes to Southpoint, 10-15 minutes to Brier Creek, 10-15 minutes to DPAC and the ball park. Of course, with Fendol Farms opening, we might finally get a grocery store. However, there is the problem of Durham Schools, but since you get much more house there for less money, you can afford to send your kids to private.
Residents of Brier Creek Country Club would agree with this (exceot I personally would prefer a Kroger rather than Harris Teeter).
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