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...
There is always that one restaurant. The one place in every town that makes food like no where else. They don't advertise, and there's nothing fancy about it. It has great service, a kitschy decor, and unparalleled flavorful food. It's that one place people drive from miles around to come to because of its reputation. Here in Liberty, North Carolina that landmark is called Kidd's, known colloquial as "Muzzie's". There's only one location in the entire world and people drive for hours just to consume their big beefy burgers. Their chili cheeseburger and their plate lunches makes this little stop a winner with locals who make Kidd's their daily lunch stop. On any given day you can hear the wait-staff sing back hundreds of orders for this popular dish. Add sweet tea and an order of french fries, and instantly you'll be smitten with the local's favorite, and Liberty's oldest fast-food. This is a real 1950s' style diner and drive-in with...
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