The Peak of Good Living is about to get even better.
Downtown Apex will soon undergo a major transformation that will ultimately change the way people live, work, play, eat and shop. Launched as a community effort in 2018 and unanimously adopted by the Apex Town Council in December 2019, the Downtown Master Plan is intended to energize the central commercial district and serve as the primary vision-setting and policy- directing strategy for the next 20 years.
Metropolitan areas throughout the U.S. are undergoing significant changes as people seek the amenities that urban living has to offer, such as retail and dining establishments, nightlife, museums, theaters, public parks, walkability, access to mass transit, and an ample mix of activities. Recent studies show that millennials, in particular, are more drawn to urban living today than ever before. Additionally, downtowns must remain competitive in order to survive and offer conveniences not readily found in the suburbs. Downtown Apex is no different, and town officials and citizens recognize the need to restore its prosperous vibrancy to attract people and investments for years to come.
The Downtown Master Plan has 10 objectives, which include transforming the Salem streetscape; energizing its alleys; adding 200 parking spaces within a 5-minute walk; attracting a boutique hotel and five new restaurants, bars and breweries to Salem Street; creating 100 new housing units within a half-mile walk; and repurposing the fire station into a civic center. The plan also aims to repurpose the parking area at the Depot into the premier public space; create a multi-modal transit station at NC 55 and Salem Street; install wayfinding signage; and revitalize the 1872 Tunstall House, which was home to four of Apex’s most influential citizens and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.
The planning process, which lasted less than a year, involved discussions with decision makers, a team of design experts and a steering committee comprised of 18 citizens representing Apex businesses and organizations. Extensive research was conducted to examine parking, retail and housing needs. Two focus group meetings among town staff, the design team and key stakeholders were held in April 2019 that examined many topic areas, including transportation, infrastructure, retail, restaurants, housing, art/history, and programming/tourism.
Apex citizens also played a vital role in the plan’s creation by attending a public open house the following month and completing a 20-question online survey that garnered 1,768 responses. Relevant findings include wanting pedestrian improvements, parking solutions (including the willingness to give up a few parking spaces to enhance outdoor dining space), more public space, wider sidewalks and comfortable seating. Town youth also contributed their thoughts, with half considering living in Apex after completing their high school or college education. Full survey results are available at apexnc.org/1318/Downtown-Plan.
“This vision is amazing. I’m grateful to everyone involved in bringing us to this point,” Mayor Jacques Gilbert said. “Our Town Council and staff are committed to working with community members to advance these projects to better illuminate our incredible downtown.”
Russell Dalton, senior transportation engineer, said the Town is moving forward with the design for three of the recommended projects from the plan, with construction plans and documents expected to be finalized in 2022.
They Include:
Transforming the Salem streetscape.
The Town plans to add shade trees and create wider sidewalks for outdoor dining and enjoyment. Street furniture and enhanced lighting will also be installed. Anticipated completion is 2023.
Energizing the Seaboard, Commerce and Fire Station alleys.
Public areas will be created for outdoor dining and enhanced with lighting and public art to tell the unique story of Apex. Trash and recycling bins will be consolidated and the parking layout will be improved. The Town will seek public-private agreements for shared spaces. Anticipated completion is 2022.
Adding a net gain of 200 parking spaces within a 5-minute walk of downtown, with 100 parking spaces located within a 3-minute walk.
The Templeton Street parking lot will be expanded and additional on-street spaces in the downtown area will be provided where possible. Public-private parking agreements will be explored to expand off-street parking options. Anticipated completion is 2022.
The design project is fully funded through the town’s current annual budget. Major future capital investments, including construction of the parking lot and streetscape, are planned for through the town’s Capital Improvement Plan. Stantec, a global consulting firm, is leading the design and engineering efforts. View a detailed timeline for these projects at publicinput.com/downtownDesign.
The Apex Historic District, which dates back to 1873, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. The Town instituted a plan the following year to increase local business and attract visitors to Salem Street by placing utilities underground, repaving sidewalks and adding landscaping. Wake County’s Capital Area Preservation organization honored the Town for these improvements in 1996.
Preserving the downtown’s unique history and charm is paramount in this current revitalization project. “We are enhancing the pedestrian experience and providing more useful outdoor spaces for dining and other activities, but our goal is to keep those improvements in context with the historic character. For instance, Salem Street used to have street trees so we want to bring those back,” Dalton said.
The Town and design team held two virtual focus group meetings in January to inform schematic designs for Salem, Downtown Alleys, and Downtown Parking projects, with area merchants providing input. The Town will host two virtual public workshops, the first in April, to help establish a preferred direction for the design team as they move into development; look for updates at publicinput.com/downtowndesign.
In addition to the master plan, another project will greatly enhance Salem Street. The three-story Highline Building at 209 N. Salem Street will feature office space, five street-level shops, outdoor seating, private balconies and a possible restaurant. Local resident and former Carolina Hurricanes player Tim Brent is leading the project. Highline is expected to open next winter.
During the next two decades, as the master plan guides the revitalization of our historic and charming downtown, expect to see many new and exciting things. Change happens fast and, before we know it, downtown Apex will be brimming with more shops and restaurants, vibrant nightlife, enjoyable public spaces, and a mass transit gateway – so The Peak of Good Living remains one of the best places to live in America.
