Renaissance Plan Update

Renaissance Plan Update

The 2017 Renaissance Plan for Downtown Wake Forest is now available.

• View/Download the document - PDF file is 62.7 MB in size

Open House Public Meeting
The Town will host a public meeting on Thursday, Feb. 23, regarding the final draft of the Renaissance Plan Update. The open house meeting will be offered from 3:30-6:30 pm in the ground floor meeting room of the Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St., which is most easily accessed via town hall's Taylor Street entrance.

The Feb. 23 meeting will have an informal, open house-style format. No formal presentation will be offered, but town representatives will be on hand to answer questions and gather public input regarding the Renaissance Plan Update.

For more information, email Planning Director Chip Russell.

Share Your Comments Via Email
Area residents may also review the plan and share their comments via email no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24.

Wake Forest In Focus - Renaissance Plan Update

The Town of Wake Forest adopted The Renaissance Plan for the Heart of Wake Forest in 2004. The plan set forth a vision for the re-invigoration of the downtown area. Since then, several key public and private investments have occurred resulting in a renewed vibrancy for downtown Wake Forest.

The economic recession of the late 2000s, still lingering somewhat today, drastically impacted the way we think, live, plan and spend. Cognizant of the changed economic conditions, the Board of Commissioners realized a review and update of the plan was necessary to maintain momentum, sharpen focus, and retain the vibrancy downtown recently gained.

Purpose

To assist the town, property owners, merchants, and potential investors, the Renaissance Plan Update will address the following:

• Market study identifying market readiness and barriers for appropriate development

• Housing infill

• Detailed streetscape plan for all streets

• Multi-modal strategies prioritizing bicyclist, pedestrian, and transit usage

• Parking strategies including management, on-street parking, and location of off-street parking areas

• Identification and tabulation of private development/redevelopment opportunities

• Desirable conditions to attract new retail, restaurant, office and housing to the area

• Key urban design principles for new development/redevelopment

• Events/Marketing strategies

• Implementation strategies including timing, phasing, funding, and partnerships

Plan of Work

Phase 1 – Reconnaissance (February - March 2016)

• Data gathering, review of existing plans, focus group and stakeholder interviews

Phase 2 – Retail Market Analysis (March - April 2016)

• MJB Consulting, a national retail planning and real estate consulting firm, will prepare a retail market analysis that includes an analysis of retail market potential and a delineation of a realistic retail positioning and tenanting strategy.

  • Status Update: Town hosted Retail 101 Workshop March 31 and April 26 (see details below)

Phase 3 – Planning, Charrette & Engagement (April - May 2016)

• Downtown Design Week, April 25-28 (see details below)

• Design Week Debriefing, May 10 (see details below)

Phase 4 – Report & Approvals (June - December 2016) - Currently in progress

• Development of plan document. Work with Steering Committee to draft plan document for public review.

  • The final draft of the Renaissance Plan Update is now available for public review and comment.

    • Share your comments via email

• Public Meeting - Open House
  Thursday, Feb. 23; 3:30-6:30 pm
  Ground Floor Meeting Room, Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St.

• Formal public hearing, approval by Board of Commissioners - TBA

Public Outreach & Presentations

Public involvement is an integral part of the Renaissance Plan Update. The Town of Wake Forest is utilizing a variety of methods to ensure the maximum level of community engagement.

Downtown Design Week
Monday, April 25 - Thursday, April 28
Wake Forest Town Hall, Ground Floor Meeting Room, 301 S. Brooks St.
The Downtown Design team is inviting Wake Forest residents to offer continual input and monitor the work-in-progress. Members of the community and all those interested in the future of the downtown area are invited to stop by town hall to participate in a series of meetings to share feedback about specific topics. The design team will be on hand to meet with citizens, answer questions, and further refine ideas. Citizens are welcome to attend any and all of these meetings.

• View the schedule of meetings

• View/Download the Wrap-Up Session Presentation

Retail 101 Workshop - Encore Presentation
Tuesday, April 26; Noon - 1 p.m.
Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St.
Come and listen to Michael J. Berne of MJB Consulting, as he unravels the secrets behind Downtown retail during our Retail 101 Workshop. One of the nation's leading experts on the subject, Michael will - in language that is clear, accessible and relatively jargon-free - explain the logic and theory that underlies how different kinds of retailers think about site location; what they typically consider, value and seek; and what all of it might mean for the future of Downtown Wake Forest. Multiple opportunities for questions and dialogue will be integrated into the presentation, and the PowerPoint document will be provided as a takeaway. The event is free and open to everyone. No registration is required.

Renaissance Plan Update Presentation
Tuesday, May 10; 6 pm
Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St.
The Downtown Wake Forest Design Team will present preliminary recommendations for the Renaissance Plan Update on Tuesday, May 10, at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Wake Forest Town Hall Board Chambers, 301 S. Brooks St. Area residents are invited to attend the presentation, which will include recommendations for infrastructure, public space, development/redevelopment opportunities, parking, retail strategies, programming and management.

• View/Download the presentation