This proposal focuses on the historically-significant neighborhood of College Park, a historically-black neighborhood in Raleigh (home to many of the students and staff of the adjacent St. Augustine’s University), and its juxtaposition with Tarboro Road – a commercially relevant corridor just east of downtown Raleigh.

Despite its rich history, College Park lacks true public space that can serve as an anchor to its community. Moreover, its built environment is hostile to the people that live there. Narrow, or nonexistent sidewalks, and a lack of street trees mean that the spaces between houses are often unused. Recently, it has faced widespread gentrification and a lack of business opportunities. These factors have driven out many longtime residents and have allowed new development to wipe out affordable housing in the area. 

The project goal was a loose framework for a healthy-growth reinvestment in the community through a phased approach, one that would focus on reinforcing existing culture and place. We focused on Tarboro Street specifically, transitioning from pocked connector street to a thriving core with several minimal-intervention stages. This all begins with site of St. Agnes Hospital – a historically-significant monument at the head of the street – reimagining it as an anchor and foundation in the process of rebuilding Tarboro Street and reestablishing a community with deep roots.