Forecasts for Cary’s (AWESOME) Future

As Cary Magazine celebrates its 10th anniversary with fond looks back at the years we’ve been part of the Cary community, we think it’s also important to look ahead, to the good things coming to our home sweet home.
For help in this envisioning, we asked a few of Cary’s forward-thinking and well-connected professionals to share their forecasts on the upcoming decade. Whew!

From their projections on population and business growth to predictions of luxury condos and mass transit, we all have reason to be excited! 

TED BOYD
Downtown Development Manager, Town of Cary

CM: Cary is focused on downtown development; what will the next decade bring?
Ted Boyd: I believe there will be many new opportunities to live in Downtown Cary. Many existing homes will see remodeling or new single-family development, but we’ll also see an increase in multi-family and townhome options. Living in an authentic, unique, walkable neighborhood with easy access to restaurants, shops, cultural and entertainment facilities and outdoor recreation amenities will be very appealing across all
demographics.

The physical landscape of Downtown Cary will change as we see infill development to complete gaps, as well as redevelopment of existing structures to maximize the land with two-, three- and four-story structures that can offer a mix of retail, office and residential. Design of these buildings will be key, to make certain they help create active sidewalks with places for people to gather or stroll. These developments will also create more opportunities for parking.  

Downtown will become a place more businesses will call home. The increase in mixed-use development creates opportunities for businesses needing 5,000 to 10,000 square feet or more of space in a more urban setting that offers conveniences for employees.

Downtown will become a greater hub for transportation as the train depot can service more rail options, and be a hub for bus service in Cary and connecting to the Triangle. Downtown will be the place providing the greatest number of transportation options from car, bus, train or bike.

With the increase in residential and office development will come greater and more diverse offerings of restaurant and retail. We will see a good mix of chef-owned restaurants combined with some regional chains. We will see a grocery store to serve the increased needs. We will see continued use in our cultural and entertainment venues and more nightlife. 

Downtown Cary will become a regional destination for tourists looking for the charm of a smaller scale, downtown environment that reflects both a historic and urban context. Downtown Cary will offer the same amenities of some of the larger downtowns in the Triangle, but provide better accessibility that will appeal to those traveling to the Triangle.

Finally, Downtown Cary will become a place that Cary citizens embrace as their own because it has been made through their involvement. Downtown will embody the identity and character of what makes Cary great … the people.

KATHY BURNS
Immediate Past Chair,
Cary Chamber of Commerce
Founding partner, Burns & Bynum CPA, P.A.; Co-founder, Hall & Burns Wealth Management

CM: What changes do you expect in Cary over the next 10 years?
Kathy Burns: I anticipate Downtown Cary will become a vibrant meeting place for families, with more restaurants to choose from and luxury condos to live in.
We have had such good leadership over the past, and continue to have good leaders, that I think the quality of life will remain high in Cary. We need to be able to attract more young people, and I think a vibrant downtown will help with that. Overall, I think we are in a great place to be able to grow our businesses and raise our families.
CM: And in your own work?
I anticipate growth in population with high-income earners. It will definitely have a positive impact in my business as a CPA and personal CFO, to have more families to possibly serve. The median age of the population is getting older, which brings challenges and opportunities. But overall, this is also positive for my particular business.

JENN OLEVITCH
RP Realty Partners/Waverly Place

CM: What’s your history with the evolving Waverly Place?
Jenn Olevitch: I was hired by RP Realty Partners out of L.A. approximately four years ago, and prior to any of the construction beginning, so Waverly Place has been my ‘baby.’ Ironically, I actually worked for the company that owned Waverly in the late ‘90s and had done some leasing back then, so for me it has come full circle. The intersection where Waverly sits is some of the best real estate in the area, and was always poised for something spectacular.

I am grateful to be a part of the transformation that has taken place, to fill Waverly up with unique tenants and concepts. We wanted Waverly to become a gathering place for Cary families and to create a sense of place, to stay and play and shop and dine. We have remained true to that plan put in place years ago, and coupled with all the events we have, turned Waverly into a very special place.

CM: What’s next? 
By the end of this year we should be pretty close to being filled up and most everyone open. With Whole Foods and CineBistro as anchors, plus all the other great tenants, Waverly will be a destination for families for many years to come. That coupled with the programing, i.e. the farmers market and Wind Down Wednesdays and other special events, Waverly will continue to thrive.

The Town of Cary has supported the redevelopment of Waverly, and I have been fortunate to work with some awesome people from the town as well as the chamber of commerce. I think great things are happening in Cary and will continue to happen.

CM: What won’t change? 
Cary’s reputation as being one of the best towns to live and work, because of the mayor and his team and the chamber; both continue to support the businesses and people already here, and bring new businesses and commerce into the area.

SHEILA OGLE
CEO, The Matthews House; Owner, Ogle Enterprises LLC

CM: What are your projections for the area around The Matthews House?
Sheila Ogle: Because there is so little undeveloped land in the downtown historic district, I think we will see lots of infill on the existing properties to provide more population. This will encourage a mix of businesses that will cater to both the senior and younger demographics that will settle there. The area will have a more dense population, thrilled with the new amenities that will be offered in retail, commercial, co-working office space and restaurants.

The town is prepared to spend money to aesthetically improve the area, making it more appealing to both business and residential development. The downtown park and added retail businesses and restaurants will also be a draw for people that will drive or take public transportation to visit the downtown area.

CM: What do you see happening in Cary overall? 
A new/old Cary that will maintain the charm of a small town but will provide low-density residential areas with walkable destinations for those that prefer the open space concept, while providing high-density areas in some of the older neighborhoods. Upgrades of some of the older shopping centers, as well as smaller housing opportunities and more environmentally-friendly housing. A better transportation system, including light rail, to assist all residents to move about economically and safely.

Cary will still maintain the designation of one of the best towns in America to live, work and raise a family. Although many of the younger college graduates will leave our area to take high-profile jobs, when they get ready to ‘settle down’ they will seek opportunities to come back home to raise their families because that is the way they grew up — clean neighborhoods, good schools, cultural opportunities — all of the good things they remember in this wonderful place we call home.