For the Residential Rehabilitation and Community Revitalization of the East Raleigh/South Park National Register Historic District, Raleigh
The East Raleigh/South Park National Register Historic District is the largest historically African American neighborhood in Raleigh, and one of the largest and most historic, relatively intact urban African American residential and cultural concentrations in North Carolina. African Americans moved into Raleigh in increasing numbers after the Civil War, and many were attracted to the southeastern part of Raleigh for its association with prominent African American institutions located there. Initially, many African Americans rented small houses built on newly subdivided land sold by cash-poor white families. Soon, as opportunities – particularly in the realm of education – expanded for African Americans and the middle class grew, houses became more fashionable, built in popular styles and more often owned by residents. Today, the neighborhood features the whole gamut of side-gabled houses, front-gabled houses, triple A cottages, and shotgun houses.
The tornado that touched near downtown Raleigh on April 16, 2011 caused significant damage to many houses in the neighborhood and underlined the already existing need for rehabilitation in the area. Concerned that the character of the neighborhood might be lost, Jason Queen of the Raleigh Restoration Group, LLC, a community resident for a number of years, partnered with Matt Flynn of Telegraph Road Properties, LLC to initiate a private rehabilitation effort. The pair began by attending community meetings, becoming familiar with the residents and the houses. Next, they went after the low hanging fruit, bidding on foreclosures and tax lien properties. With some success under their belts, neighborhood residents started to take notice and began directing them to distressed properties, suggesting that they contact owners/management companies about purchasing and restoring them. Thanks to this community support network, Jason and Matt, along with their team of Tightlines Design (an off-shoot of Maurer Architecture) and Triangle Interiors, LLC, have been responsible for the rehabilitation of five properties to date with more on the way. Completed projects include:
322 E. Davie Street – East Raleigh/South Park NRHD, Prince Hall Local Historic District
578 E. Cabarrus Street – East Raleigh/South Park NRHD
513 Worth Street – East Raleigh/South Park NRHD
515 Worth Street – East Raleigh/South Park NRHD
529 E. Martin Street – East Raleigh/South Park NRHD
More than just the rehabilitation of five properties, the project has breathed life into the neighborhood as a whole and stands as a model for similar private revitalization efforts in Raleigh and elsewhere.
The Board of Directors of Capital Area Preservation, Inc. is pleased to present a 2014 Anthemion Award to Raleigh Restoration Group, LLC; Telegraph Road Properties, LLC; Tightlines Designs; Triangle Interiors, LLC for the Residential Rehabilitation and Community Revitalization of the East Raleigh/South Park National Register Historic District, Raleigh.