American Tobacco adds outdoor food, farmers market, fun Thursdays with "Carts in the Park"

If there's been any dig on American Tobacco from downtowners over the years, it's been the unfortunate "fortress" nature it has inherited from the inward-facing architecture of the buildings.

With most of the campus' amenities aimed inward around the "Old Bull River" and food on the lawn, a challenge for local businesses has been enticing employees, residents and visitors out of the comfy confines of the old factory and into Durham's downtown streets, where so many unique homegrown restaurants and businesses have taken root.

Now Ambacco is doing something to bring a little bit of Durham into the campus' boundaries, launching "Carts in the Park" this Thursday -- and kudos to CBC for bringing the action to Ambacco's east, at the Diamond View Park built by the Goodmons as a temporary destination between the DPAC and the renovated factory complex.

Look for local foods rollin' in, along with farmers market items, and a little outdoor recreation to boot.

From the press release:

Designed to embrace the delicious diversity of Durham's food culture, Carts in the Park launches this Thursday, June 18, 10am to 2pm, at Diamond View Park adjacent to Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Blackwell Street.  Initial participants include Only Burger, Joe's Dogs, Ninth Street Bakery and Fernrock Farm, to name a few.  A farmer's market will provide fresh, local produce and other items.  Additional vendors will come aboard each week.

Carts in the Park welcomes everyone -- from American Tobacco tenants to Durham downtownies to curious folks from near and far.  Eat-seekers will not only get fine food, but access to complimentary footballs, wiffle balls and bats, kick balls and other items designed to aid decompression and a good, active lunch hour.

Michael Goodmon, Vice President of Real Estate for American Tobacco, notes that "the concept is another way to bring new and engaging amenities to the Downtown Durham area.  Where else can you work, and within a short walk grab a quick lunch, throw a Frisbee with a few co-workers and pick up fresh produce for the weekend?”

In some ways, to us here at BCR the idea harkens back to the campus' early days, before Tyler's and the 'Pose Cafe opened, and when a hot dog cart was about the only food around.

To hear tell from those who were here back then, for all the new businesses that have opened in the intervening years, folks still miss the chance to head out on the grass on a nice day and get some food from a pushcart.

Local businesses interested in being a part of the program can visit the ATC's web site or contact Heather Gray (433-4267 or hgray@cbc-raleigh.com).

(BCR aside: we hear more and more at BCR Central these days about the fact that Diamond View Park will someday be developed, likely as condos and residential units. Worth remembering that the green space there was going to sit fallow as a dirt area save for the Goodmons' spending what's reported to be well into the six figures of their money to turn it into a nice, albeit temporary, park. I certainly wouldn't be one to begrudge their eventual development of the site, particularly into something that would mean more downtown residents and businesses.)

Comments

[Erik Landfried]

God, what I wouldn't give to work in downtown Durham instead of the crappy Imperial Center...

Interesting that you mention the efforts to try to bring downtowners towards American Tobacco. I've always found the physical connection between downtown and American Tobacco to be very awkward. This is slightly off topic, but does anyone know what plans exist to make this physical connection more appealing to pedestrians? I realize the tracks make things a little tricky, but I think there are ways that could be turned into an advantage.

The lack of any real sidewalk and separation from auto traffic on the stretch of Corcoran across the tracks makes walking very unappealing. The crosswalks look like a drunk 9-year old painted them. And on the north side of the tracks your first view of downtown from American Tobacco is of a giant parking deck, a surface parking lot, and the stupid Loop (with no sidewalks).

I realize there are lots of thoughts and ideas for what to do about the Loop and that surface parking lot (although it will be sad if something obscures that historic Find Your Cool sign. Oh wait...). But is there an overall plan for how to make this connection more appealing or is the City just going to make changes piecemeal?

I feel like something should be draped on the side of the Corcoran parking deck like what they did at the new deck by the DPAC (it could say "Find Your Car" - thank you, I'll be here all night). I also wonder if a big sign could span Corcoran St that says Downtown Durham...one could also go above Blackwell Street saying American Tobacco Campus or something - that might be cheesy, but if it were done the right way that would at least let visitors to the DPAC or DBAP know that there really is something to see past the parking.

Anyone know what plans exist for that stretch?

[Nilsson Schmilsson]

I don't want to say anything bad about American Tobacco or Brightleaf, since they are part of downtown plus really helped get downtown going again in the first place, but I think developers should learn a lesson from these areas.

There simply isn't anything like being able to walk down a street,on your way from one place to another, where you have to pass other stores on your way, which can lead to interesting surprises, interactions, etc., making the journey itself fun and the stores, etc., along the way nothing one needed to precommit to before arriving at. This is what is beginning to occur on Main St. (and surrounding pedestrian streets downtown), and this really is where the focus should be for future development downtown because of the synergy new businesses create on a street just by opening up there. This can't really happen with sections you have to go out of your way to "enter," committing to going to in advance.

[Freddie]

This is awesome and makes me jealous that I don't work in Ambacco...

[Greg]

"isn't anything like being able to walk down a street,on your way from one place to another, where you have to pass other stores on your way"

The term is "stroll district." And it's severely lacking here. You might think of one place to go in downtown, but, you don't have a bunch of them, and thus don't have reason to wander between them. c.f Savannah, Charleston, or midtown Manhattan.

[jonn]

I live near downtown and never even think of walking to American Tobacco. It seems like such a car destination. That division at the train tracks definitely makes it seem separate and far away. I dont know but can something be built closer to the tracks that would help connect the two areas? Brightleaf feels a lot more integrated with the rest of town and doesnt suffer as much from these problems.

[eah919]

I have to admit, I think the 'lack of physical connection between dowtown and American Tobacco' bit is a little overplayed. I work at AmBacco, and cross the tracks every day on foot. It's really not that big of a barrier- an at-grade RR crossing, with relatively infrequent trains, and a short block between Main and Pettigrew. Downtown Durham is not San Antonio Riverwalk, nor would I want it to be- not every single path between points need to have banners, planters, brick-paved sidewalks, and least of all, muzak wafting up from faux-boulder landscape speakers.

There's been a lot of mental activity and ink spilled regarding the redesign of this connection, of implausible bridges and underpasses and whatnot, and i honestly don't get what the big deal is.

To me, the separation reminds me a little that this site was once a gritty, active, industrial behemoth, separate from the 'town.' That, is part of it's history, and part of its charm.

As folks come across the tracks to the carts in the park (which is an amazing idea, by the way- thanks CBC), maybe they can imagine it was 1900 or 1940 or 1970, carrying their lunchpail on their way to work at the tobacco factory....

[Laura]

I walk down to ATC everyday for lunch, which yes, means crossing the railroad tracks. It's not that bad once you get used to it and I've found that a lot of people do it nowadays. ATC is perfect for bringing your lunch and a good book or a friend during a break in the workday. I'm so excited about the Carts in the Park concept and can't wait to try it out tomorrow!

[Christine]

It's a shame to know that Diamond View Park will be developed. I had hoped to see it turned into something like Millennium Park in Chicago (and we might need another Plensa that way!) Maybe we could also have an ice-skating rink for two months of the year? Just dreaming, I know.

[GreenLantern]

American Tobacco, the DPAC, the DBAP, and Brightleaf are ALL part of downtown Durham. At most, your talking about 2-3 blocks walking distance in any one point from the Loop. Think of it this way, if you were at the base of the new RBC tower in Raleigh and wanted to venture "downtown" would you consider it too much of a hassle to go over to Moore Square, or Glenwood South, or up to the Natural Science Museum, or even the Memorial Auditorium (whatever they call it now)?? And why is crossing the railroad tracks anymore difficult than crossing the street?

I was just downtown a half hour ago and got me a delicious lunch at the OnlyBurger. One of the best I've ever had. Having the open space across from the DPAC is a gem. Think of what kinds of festivals could be had there, with plenty of parking available all around, WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF EVERYTHING ELSE DOWNTOWN. Finding a market to build Diamond View III might be problem, especially with the proposed Van Alen project across the street, so I wouldn't worry too much that the open green will be paved over anytime soon.

[Erik Landfried]

Look, I'm not saying the connection is impossible by any means...I've certainly done it several times. I'm just saying that it could be better. I don't hear many people complaining about the streetscaping that's going on along Main St. between Brightleaf and the Loop right now. Why is that different than the connection between Main St. and American Tobacco?

The first time I went on Preservation Durham's architecture tour, we were up on one of the parking decks looking over American Tobacco and a couple from out of town said something like, "Oh, we've heard of that, but couldn't figure out where it was or how to get there." So if you work in that area every day, yeah, you know how to get yourself around, it becomes routine, and it's fine. That's true everywhere. But if people come to visit Durham and they can't figure out how to walk between our most interesting places, I think that's a problem.

I'm not saying it should become Riverwalk, but I do think we could do better than a couple of lines painted on the pavement and a bunch of ugly parking decks and surface parking lots.

You might think compaining about this connection is overplayed, but if it weren't a problem, no one would talk about it. So is it overplayed or has the problem just not been solved yet?

[Matthew C]

Since this issue has come up a number of times on this blog, DDI thought we would address what is currently being worked on to make the connection between American Tobacco & the City Center District.

First, the plan has always been to connect Brightleaf Square and American Tobacco via Main Street, which is now taking place with the West Village Phase II development, new restaurants and bars opening along Main Street and new residents and visitors living and playing in downtown Durham.

Below are the things we have done and are in the process of doing to make this vital link between these two districts:

1) DDI, with the help of Capital Broadcasting restored the murals on the backs of the Main Street Buildings facing DPAC and added the new “Find Your Cool” mural to bring more visual interest to the backs of these buildings.

2) In the next month or so, the City will be putting out new planters throughout the City Center district. DDI is paying for the initial planning of flowers in these planters and we are working with the downtown property owners on an adopt-a-planter program for future care of the planters. There will be a few of these planters on Corcoran Street, between the Loop and Main Street, to bring color and interest to this street from the south of the tracks.

3) DDI is currently working with the City on a landscaping plan for the south side of the railroad tracks along Pettigrew Street to make the walk and view more appealing from the DPAC, the DBAP and for train riders. The landscaping plan includes some trees, flowers and ornamental grasses. We would like for it to run beside the tracks from Durham Station down to just past Mangum Street.

4) We are currently pricing and working on a plan to light the trees on the Corcoran Street Corridor (the Loop to Main Street), in addition to the trees on either side of Main Street, from Roxboro St (Talk of the Town area) to Great Jones (right around Bull McCabes). The plan would be to have these trees lit year round in the evenings when businesses are open. The lighting of these trees creates a visual draw to people that are at the Ballpark and DPAC, while the lights down Main Street frame the street and create a welcoming “avenue” for visitors at night.

In addition, it’s visual impact from Brightleaf Square will encourage more walking between the districts at night, which is certainly a goal in the revitalization of our downtown. (We are also working on a signage grant program to encourage downtown businesses to put up large lighted signs that are perpendicular to the buildings, to give more visual interest to Main Street) The lights in the trees and lighted signage also helps to make people feel safer and can be a very cool addition to Main Street.

5) DDI has always argued that the streetscape that is now in the City Center should be extended over the tracks creating another connection between the districts. We are working on the stamped brick paver features at all intersections being carried across the tracks at both Blackwell/Corcoran and Mangum. In addition, we would like to see additional lighting and landscaping here also.

6) In the future, Greenfire Development will develop Lot 20 behind the Main Street buildings and will help this connection. In addition, the plans are to develop the DPAC Park also, with retail along Blackwell Street. All of this makes the distance between AT and the City Center less daunting.

7) DDI has also gained a lot of steam with a suggestion/plan to eventually raise the tracks a little bit, lower the road a little bit, and create a large plaza area from Blackwell over to Mangum St, under the tracks. The vehicular crossings on Blackwell and Mangum streets would still allow for line of site between the districts and in between would be a plaza area with art, lights and opportunities to rent it out for events. This is one of the plans that has been discussed long term for this crossing.

Challenges
There are obviously some challenges we face in trying to get all of this done. First is money. Items #1 and #2 are funded and have happened or will happen soon.

Items #3, #4 & #5 would create some visual impact immediately and DDI is currently looking for ways to fund these items and move forward. Most people don’t realize that the NC Railroad owns (and can do what they want with) the property on either side of the tracks and all of Pettigrew Street. When you talk about doing something around the tracks and near the streets (Railroad Crossing), you have to deal with a number of different entities (NCRR, DOT, City, etc) which can severely delay the process of getting anything done. The viewpoint of NCRR is that if we encourage people to cross the tracks, more people will cross the tracks! Of course that is what WE want, BUT, NCRR sees more people crossing the tracks as dangerous, b/c it is more likely that someone will get hit and killed. SO, they would prefer that the crossings all be CLOSED TO PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC. Obviously this is not what anyone else wants, but this is what has to be overcome to get things done over the RR tracks. It is a long process, but we will continue to try to work things out so we can really make the connection between the districts not only better, but inviting.

Item #7 is a longer term vision/plan and will require funding. It could be expensive, but could potentially be an alternative that could be a compromise between a number of entities involved.

DDI realizes that the connection between American Tobacco, the City Center and Brightleaf is vital to the future growth and appeal of our great downtown and we will continue to make this connection as easy as possible for pedestrians and visitors.

[muska supra]

He is a good friend that speaks well of us behind our backs.