Issue link: https://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/320439
Chapter 5 ! Cary Public Art Opportunities 31 A Vibrant Downtown Cary's vision for Downtown is a " unique, vibrant, dynamic, pedestrian friendly location; a regional destination and a place to live, work, and recreate", according to the 2001 Town Center Plan. Downtown Cary, defined broadly as the area within Maynard Loop, and bounded by Harrison Avenue, Walker Street , Chapel Hill Road , and Dry Avenue, is the heart of Cary. C ivic facilities, commercial businesses, a n a rts center, residences, neighborhoods, and a park create the potential for a lively, vivacious center. Cary's current planning strategies for downtown revitalization include bringing higher densities to areas close to the existing Cary Depot Amtrak Station, as well as increasing the mix of uses by attracting more shops, restaurants, entertainment, and offices. Additional planning studies (Town Center Civic & Cult ural Arts Plan) recommend a cultural arts district along Academy Street. Public investment in line with this revitalization strategy began with the redevelopment of the o ld Cary High/ Elemen tary School at the southern end of Academy Street into an Arts Center , followed by the acquisition of a vacant building on Chatham Street for a fi lm and performing arts theatre. Cary recently hired a Downtown Development Manager to refine the downtown vision and oversee future private and public investment. One idea under consideration is the transformation of Academy Street into a boulevard from th e Town Hall in the North across Chatham Street to Dry Avenue, emphasizing the southern vista of the Cary Ar ts Center . Other ideas include converting the public library building for an arts - related use, expanding the park near the Cary Arts Center , and cons tructing a new cultural arts building as part of an overall cultural arts district. Existing destination places in and around the town center also contribute to Cary's downtown. Public art plays an important role in these revitalization strategies by anima ting the streetscapes, emphasizing gateways, and connecting public spaces and destination places for a unique, walkable experience.