My hopes for the future of Liberty is one which includes a concerted, and planned effort to improve the town for the better with better walk-ability, less roads (but more functional ones), and a more community center atmosphere for everyone. The New Urbanism approach fits so well here with available multi-use space and current infrastructure. However with the likes of the new Family Dollar, one must wonder if we're not headed in the wrong direction: sprawl.
This photo shows the heart of the Seaside, FL community located on the Florida panhandle. Notice the high-density nature of the development, with minimal spacing between the buildings and the narrow streets. The homes are located close to the street right-of-way and garages are located to the rear of the houses with access via alleyways. Sidewalks can also be used as parking for vehicles.
Seaside Florida is a perfect example of the utopian town we could achieve, if we so chose to make the effort:
Birkdale Village is a new urbanist village located near Huntersville in northern Mecklenburg County near Interstate 77. Notice the retail stores located below the upstairs residential units. Also notice the abundance of on-street parking, sidewalks and extensive landscaping.
Liv, I wholeheartedly agree! There is so much potential here and the New Urbanism approach would be an extraordinary direction to go. It's time for an upgrade, a revitalization. The two examples you provided would be perfect for this little giant treasure of a village and possibly awaken it and save it from becoming generic...or a ghost town. I really love your vision and ideas.
Unbeknownst to many, only twenty minutes from the outskirts of Liberty, lies a government project shrouded in secrecy. It may sound like Stranger Things in real life, but hidden on Big Hole Road near Jordan Lake, AT&T Project Office NC-1 remains active. Before you start to speculate of aliens, gravity machines, and time travel, let's do some research first. The Project Office itself was built in the mid-1960's; featuring shock-absorbing spring foundation, steel and concrete blast doors, rubber plumbing, and tropospheric scatter antennae , a technique to send radio signals slightly farther. For security, CCTV and steel crash barriers were also erected. More recently, a moat has been dug around the complex. The name "Big Hole" travailed from the amount of earth dug during construction, giving the project an estimated 13 underground storeys. After completion, it is assumed that it functioned as a telephone switching center, possibly for the military AUT
The southern diet consists mainly of country ham biscuits, BBQ sandwiches, and perhaps the most distinguished comfort food: the chili cheese burger. Everyone has their own take on it, but here in Liberty there appears to be two distinct incarnations of the classic chili cheese burger. The old-fashioned traditional cheese burger at Kidd's drive-in, and the other, a wild, Velveeta topped anything goes at the local cafe Hurricane Jane's . So she created a menu with more items, including seafood, brought in local artist Edi Smith to paint an ocean mural, and renamed the restaurant Hurricane Jane’s. In addition to hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken sandwiches, Jane’s offers plates that include barbecue, steak tips, pork chops and fish. All plates include two sides. Hurricane Jane’s also offers salads, appetizers, pizza and daily specials. Every Friday, karaoke performances will be held on the patio, and bands, including one that Moore and her husband perform in, will play eve
You'd be in disbelief if I told you there was an avant-garde styled restaurant, serving up some of the best food I've ever had, in Liberty. Not just the best in town, or county, but what might be the best diner in the entire state, perhaps only rivaling La Farm of Cary. And you would be right, because there isn't one. Even though we have some great places, nothing in Liberty comes close. However, Artisan Hub is only twenty minutes away in Downtown Siler City. Artisan Hub describes the atmosphere as a "Down home feel with a new age flair." And I can't agree more. The chefs were kind, and willing to go that extra mile. At no point did I feel embarrassed or imposing to ask a question or for help. It helps that there is a lack of a crowd; turning it into a quiet, relaxing hideaway, that many people don't know of. Now onto the food. Words alone cannot describe how good this meal was. Everything had been seasoned to work in a robust ma
Liv,
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly agree! There is so much potential here and the New Urbanism approach would be an extraordinary direction to go. It's time for an upgrade, a revitalization. The two examples you provided would be perfect for this little giant treasure of a village and possibly awaken it and save it from becoming generic...or a ghost town.
I really love your vision and ideas.
-Mecca