tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502524904778687735.post2114385845724739417..comments2011-12-30T15:59:07.214-05:00Chris Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12266137926441160311noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502524904778687735.post-52976854161694031702011-12-30T15:59:07.214-05:002011-12-30T15:59:07.214-05:00That is a good question. On one hand, you are right that a nice stadium would look good and events there would certainly bring a crowd to the places to eat/drink both before and after. On the other hand, though, that particular neighborhood seems to be building itself around the idea of growth out of a dead area. Even now, if you drive around when everything is closed you wouldn't likely know just how active the area is. Fullsteam plays up the industrial feel of it's wearhouse-like set-up. Motorco is in a former autobody shop and even named itself in a way to connect with that. Geer Street Garden is one of the best new places in town for high quality food, yet when they renovated the old gas station they are in into their place, they left the peeling, chipped paint on their brick walls. There is a definite (and often vocal) part of the Durham community that embraces the "gritty" nature of that part of town.DRRnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502524904778687735.post-389898405894837252011-12-30T13:23:41.058-05:002011-12-30T13:23:41.058-05:00So, how important is the DAP to the neighborhood? Visually, I'd guess that it's critical. It is simply nice to look at as you drive by (or from an office window). Are the Bulls (and Goodmon) doing Durham a favor?Chris Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12266137926441160311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502524904778687735.post-62232810127093574402011-12-30T13:13:47.238-05:002011-12-30T13:13:47.238-05:00Donald beat me to it. That area is quickly becoming the hippest part of town. With the arrival of Fullsteam, Motorco, The Bar, Surf Club, Geer Street Garden and others on the way, it is one of the more active areas around at night.DRRnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502524904778687735.post-21618351649848502562011-12-29T11:32:20.510-05:002011-12-29T11:32:20.510-05:00Always happy to learn more. Is the DAP critical to the vitality of the neighborhood? Is the neighborhood coming alive (I've heard that, but haven't witnessed it)? And yes, I really am a non-Durham guy. Just worked out that way when I came to the area 20 years ago. I have this path to the DBAP that I drive 60+ times a year; I go the the DPAC more often than downtown Raleigh; but when I get out of my path I spend an inordinate amount of time circling and circling and circling (Oh! There's the Duke Chapel! We've gotta be close!)Chris Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12266137926441160311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502524904778687735.post-87908161649184947192011-12-29T10:31:13.681-05:002011-12-29T10:31:13.681-05:00Wow, you really are a non-Durham guy if you think that "there’s not too much going on in the neighborhood" of the DAP.Donald Woolleynoreply@blogger.com