Steady as She Goes

Exciting changes and new local businesses coming to Raleigh’s cherished Five Points area.

Nestled between Downtown and North Raleigh, Five Points is a historic gem. Rooted deep in Raleigh’s identity with its 1920s-era architecture and long-standing outposts (think Hayes Barton Cafe & Dessertery, Lilly’s Pizza, and NOFO, to name a few), the area has long remained relatively—and arguably delightfully—unchanged. Now, however, Five Points has some reinvigorating reconstruction and concepts coming down the pipeline. … And before you flip—no, there won’t be high-rises.

First and foremost, the city is poised to up the safety factor for those who live there, frequent it, and those passing through by foot or on wheels. While Five Points is considered by most as a rather quiet part of town, the neighborhood is also infamous for the accident-prone intersection where Glenwood and Glenn avenues and Fairview and West Whitaker Mill roads all meet. From May 1, 2017, to April 30, 2022, there were 143 reported crashes within 300 feet of the intersection, 22% of which resulted in a reported injury, including one fatal crash.

As a result, the city kicked off a Five Points Streetscape and Safety Study in 2022—expected to be complete this fall—to keep both drivers and pedestrians safe in the charming district. Three different concepts are currently under consideration for the intersection. The first includes traffic signal/left turn improvements—specifically adding separate signal movements for Fairview Road and Whitaker Mill Road; extending the curbs at Glenwood Avenue and Fairview and Whitaker Mill roads; and converting the flashing yellow arrow on Glenwood Avenue into fully protected left turn signals. Second, a single-lane roundabout; and, finally, a multilane roundabout. 

But “combining elements of the three into a preferred alternative is possible,” says City of Raleigh Department of Transportation Senior Transportation Planning Supervisor Jason Myers. 

“The roundabout alternatives have the benefit of slowing every driver through the intersection, even during off-peak travel times when Glenwood Avenue isn’t busy,” Myers explains. “Roundabouts are also proven to reduce the frequency of serious crashes, and when installed in situations with sufficient street capacity, they also respond flexibly to different traffic patterns throughout the day.”

Myers notes, however, that both roundabout alternatives are expensive and disruptive projects to implement, and, once the design and construction of the project is funded through the city’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), would take three to five years to go through the necessary processes, with the traffic signal/left turn improvements concept on the shorter end of that timeframe.

Concepts Coming

The potential intersection improvements will anchor a handful of other highly anticipated hot spots coming online in Five Points, including recent ventures like Uncle Jessie’s Honkytonk, Loop (coming soon) and the reopening of the Rialto (slated to start shows as early as July). On that same block, Lonerider Brewery also recently shuttered, spurring buzz around what may take its place. We’ve heard rumblings other restaurateurs are interested in and touring the space—stay tuned for updates.

To boot, there’s the emerging district on the backside of Five Points, dubbed Five Points East (think of it like Midtown and Midtown East), with a cluster of new spots in the works. Cheetie Kumar (of now-shuttered Garland fame) is opening her new concept Ajja in the area this summer directly beside Anisette Sweet Shop, which will certainly serve to bolster the community, drawing in locals and out-of-towners alike.

On the heels of Kumar’s announcement—and neighboring Ajja—is Trophy Brewing Co.’s sixth location, Trophy Brewing Outpost, opening in the former Electric Supply Co. building in 2024. “We’re excited to join our good friends Cheetie and Paul in this great neighborhood,” said Trophy co-owner Chris Powers in an exclusive interview with Raleigh Magazine when we first shared the news in June.

Clearly, Five Points and the surrounding area are on the comeup, and rest-assured these new changes and concepts won’t take away from the OG Raleigh friendly and welcoming vibe for which the district is known—but, instead, bring it into the next era and make it more attractive and in line with our fast-growing city.

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