Come Explore my Wake Forest! An example of exemplary planning...

I remember when my husband and I were originally considering a move to Wake Forest......I said, "Huh? No way I am living that far out!!!" I could only envision long trips into Raleigh for groceries, a Lowe's or a Target.....

My, oh my, how things have changed in 6 short years. Wake Forest is growing leaps and bounds! We have the Target, Lowe's, Home Depot, Super Wal-Mart, large chain restaurants such as Chili's, Applebee's, Red Robin, etc, and some smaller private restaurants (outstanding food by the way!)....

One of the things I loved most about was Wake Forest was the quaint, historic downtown area. There are some great shops such as Old Magnolia Trading Company, Olde English Tea Room and N.C. Specialty Shops. Then there are the notable restaurants such as La Foresta, Shorty's and Over The Falls Deli. Great antique shops, hair salon, The Cotton Company and so much more!

With all of the new businesses, expanded roads (98 bypass), and new homes many Wake Forest residents have been (and are) concerned about the impact on the Historic Downtown area. I have to say that I am so impressed with the DRC (Downtown Revitalization Corporation) and their vision for the downtown Wake Forest area. The DRC has a major influence and advocates the Renaissance Plan that has already begun. With this roadmap Wake Forest will survive the pitfalls that have befallen so many other small towns. While revamping our current infrastructure, focusing on infill projects, and realigning specific districts (entertainment, government and business) Wake Forest will maintain its charm and remain a vibrant and popular destination! As with most projects of this magnitude and the length of time required to achieve the goal there will be bumps along the way. Roads may close while they are rerouted, construction signs will pop up and there may be a tendency to become frustrated.......stop, take a breath and think long term! The outcome will far surpass the minor inconvenience we all experience along the way.....

Come explore my Wake Forest....
Leesa

Out with the old, in with the new....

Hhmmm, just a few short weeks ago I had a fantastic couple out with me looking at properties. They were from the Chicago area. At one point, the wife spoke up and asked if Raleigh was following the current trend of tearing down old homes to build new which was the case in her father's neighborhood in Illinois area. I answered no and that I was very proud of how Raleigh is big into protecting and preserving older neighborhoods and that it wasn't very common here. Shortly after that there was an article in the News and Observer to quite the contrary. I was quick to email that link to them and let them know that I mis-spoke. Well, several weeks later there is yet another article regarding "infill". Apparently it wasn't enough for me to say I was srong - now I have to admit that I was REALLY wrong.....hey, I can do that!

588 New Homes Replace Teardowns...

Humble shucking.........




Workers intentionally drop three trees on top of a house being demolished to make way for a larger house.
Staff photo by Chris Seward