Taller towers at Shaw University? Raleigh leaders to consider rezoning
The Raleigh City Council voted to keep public discussion for potential rezoning for Shaw University Tuesday in Raleigh.
The move was made to allow more public discussion between community members and the Raleigh Council for potential plans of the redevelopment.
Those in opposition showed up at the Raleigh City Council meeting Tuesday night, to express their thoughts about Shaw University’s redevelopment plan -- called Shaw-U. Some believe rezoning the campus will erase its history, while others say it’s a great opportunity to update campus amenities.
About seven people signed up to speak in favor of the rezoning on Tuesday night. There were 141 people who have signed up to speak in opposition.
"How do we build Wall Street and not give our properties to Wall Street?" asked Eugene Myrick, a Shaw University alumnus.
The meeting started at 7 p.m., but discussions on Shaw's potential redevelopment didn't start until 9:30 p.m.
Carol Holloway, another Shaw alumna, is also concerned about what will happen to her beloved alma mater.
"Its not that we don't want better," Holloway explained. "We just a want a plan to be shown to us."
The university did make some adjustments to its rezoning request, including lowering the maximum building heights to 30 stories and 20 stories on various parcels and stepping down the building heights closest to the residential neighborhood on the south side of MLK Jr. Blvd.
The vice president of real estate said rezoning approval is vital to update aging infrastructure and to build more student housing.
Shaw’s president, Paulette Dillard, shared the same sentiments at the meeting, adding that the rezoning will help modernize the area and attract new students.
"This rezoning plan is the first step in an initiative to leverage our one great asset," Dillard said. "That is the real estate Shaw has."
Public hearings will continue until May 2.
