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Post date: Oct 17, 2011 5:08:32 PM
Congratulations to Philip Bernard, Raleigh 2011 Neighborhood Recognition Award Recipient, for developing the Person Street Partnership.
Philip Bernard has been nominated by community leaders of the Mordecai CAC for his development of the Person Street Partnership. Philip will be recognized among other award-winners throughout the city this Wednesday, Oct 19, at the McKimmon Center.
Everyone wants to see great things happen with the business district along North Person Street in the north-end of downtown Raleigh. This business district is adjacent to thriving neighborhoods like Historic Oakwood and the Mordecai Community, but development has been slow for numerous reasons . One person in our community has taken the time to bring property owners, business owners, stakeholders, residents, and Raleigh City Staff together to work jointly on creating a vibrant business community on Person Street.
Philip Bernard formed the Person Street Partnership in March of 2011, after facilitating a successful kick off meeting with over fifty
people attending. This first meeting focused on inviting business and property owners on Person Street along with representatives from stakeholders in the area including Blount Street Commons, Peace College, Historic Oakwood, and Mordecai CAC. The attendees recognized this as a great start to building momentum on Person Street.
Since March of 2011, Philip has continued to facilitate a total of three partnership meetings at the Urban Design center in downtown Raleigh. Each meeting focuses on bringing in knowledgeable speakers, consultants, and city staff to discuss and debate the future of this important area of our shared community.
Philip Bernard has been been able to drive change from a hopeless feel to a new fresh theme of “building momentum" taking hold on Person Street.
Since the kick-off Partnership meeting the community has seen progress in the Person Street business district
- A fall street carvinal was hosted within the Person Street business district by neighborhood volunteers to support local businesses and generate positive attention.
- A vacant boarded-up store front was cleaned-up and remodeled by volunteers in the neighborhood.
- Elected officials proposed funding for a Blount/Person Corridor Study.
- Approximately 15 business and property owners, stakeholder reps, and neighbors joined David Diaz, President and CEO of downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA) for a walking tour of the Person Street business district.
- Brought forward community interest in a new R line stop on Peace Street at Krispy Kreme.
- Successfully engaged with City staff to keep our community informed on the status of traffic and planning projects associated with Person Street and suggest ways the partnership can help in their planning efforts.
- PieBird Restaurant Opening
Philip Bernard is no stranger to the community and isn't afraid to leverage assets within his city to build momentum.
- Former Mordecai CAC Chair
- Current Mordecai CAC Traffic Chair
- Successfully drafted volunteers from the neighborhood to build the Person Street Partnership. Including, Trisha Hasch from the Urban Design Center, and Sarah Roholt from Historic Mordecai and Naudain Machen from Historic Oakwood.
- Midtown Raleigh News (N&O) - Neighborhood group pushes for Person Street renaissance
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