One of Raleigh’s oldest neighborhoods is becoming an increasingly important connection point between NC State University, Pullen Park and downtown Raleigh, and another small development proposal could bring more change to the area.
A rezoning request for properties near Ashe and Wakefield avenues would change the land from residential zoning to mixed-use, opening the door for a small-scale retail business such as a coffee shop or bakery, according to a legal representative of the developer.
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The developer said existing homes on the properties would remain.
The proposal comes as development continues to reshape the area surrounding Pullen Park.
Arthur Gordon, the original owner of Irregardless, has watched the neighborhood change for decades.
“Literally when I started, it was a dirt road and it turned into Central Prison,” Gordon said.
The properties sit between Pullen Park and NC State in an area the city has envisioned becoming more pedestrian-friendly and better connected to transit.
For neighbor Josh Wells, having more destinations within walking distance has been one of the benefits of the neighborhood’s growth.
“Having things you can walk to when you live on a busy street has been worth it,” Wells said.
But as new housing and development continue to fill in around the neighborhood, some residents are questioning whether the infrastructure surrounding that growth can keep pace.
Parking is one of those concerns.
The rezoning proposal does not include off-street parking, raising questions about where customers would park if a retail business eventually opened on the property.
Gordon said parking has already become more complicated and costly as Raleigh has grown.
“Ya know, you now want to add X amount of dollars anytime you want to go out to eat,” Gordon said.
The proposed development is relatively small, but it represents a broader shift happening around Pullen Park as Raleigh looks to create stronger connections among downtown, the park and NC State while more housing and businesses move into the area.
For longtime residents and business owners, balancing that growth with transportation, parking and pedestrian infrastructure will remain part of the conversation.
Gordon said adapting to change is something the neighborhood has been doing for decades.
“We’re older, we’ve seen the world change, so we’re rolling with it,” he said.
The rezoning request is still early in Raleigh’s approval process. It is expected to go before the Raleigh Planning Commission in October before eventually heading to the Raleigh City Council.
If approved, legal representatives from Morningstar Law Group said work could begin as early as 2027.
