Hillsborough Street has been my home for many years.
Not only did I go to high school right on Hillsborough Street, but I found myself right back there for college.
My freshman year in high school, I started to realize that Hillsborough was a little dated, gritty and not so glamorous. I was not expecting Hillsborough to be the Rodeo Dr. of Raleigh, but it appeared less than desirable to a high schooler, much less to a college student. It was not the Hillsborough I had heard my dad talk about during his time at State in the 1980s. During the mid-1980's Darryl's, a huge and beloved rib restaurant stood there, along with Player's Retreat, luckily which still stands. I think many can agree upon the fact that Hillsborough does need major revamping.
Luckily the Stanhope and the new seven–story Aloft Hotel, will usher in a cleaner and more sophisticated and desirable place to be seen. As of 2014, there is a $160 million makeover planned for Raleigh's Hillsborough Street. To those of NC State and the greater Raleigh community that should give you all hope.
Raleigh is a big city, and it is growing every day. NC State was built around Raleigh, not the other way around, so as such NC State does not have that particular college campus feel like Ole Miss or Chapel Hill does. Yes, NC State does have a quaint, southern and genteel feel, but because Raleigh is not a small city in which NC State is located in, Hillsborough has taken a backseat while the professional areas of Raleigh have flourished. Hillsborough St. is vital to Raleigh, and it is time Hillsborough sees a face-lift.
What Hillsborough should offer:
1. A Walgreen's or CVS: I am surprised one has not made their way onto Hillsborough already, for example, Chapel Hill has both and it's time NC State had at least one.
2. A better selection of restaurants and bars: A better selection of bars and restaurants would not only attract more students but also people of Raleigh thus increasing profits for those businesses who wish to establish on Hillsborough St.
3. Parking: Parking is an absolute nightmare on Hillsborough, which makes me glad I live in Cameron Village and can easily walk. More parking that is communal, not just limited to one business such as Chipotle. Whether that is in the form of a parking deck, there should be a solution to parking. I'm tired of going to Bruegger's and seeing people being towed and booted as a result of inadequate parking spots.
4. A few boutiques: I am not asking for a Saks, but seriously Hillsborough could use a few boutiques and to update some shops. I do not know how some current ones stay in business since they do not particularly cater to the college-aged crowd.
