
NEIGHBORHOODS
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Douglas Block Neighborhood Plan
The Douglas Block Neighborhood was historically the business, social and cultural hub of Rocky Mount’s African-American community, but by the 1970s it was in severe decline. The Walker Collaborative (TWC) was hired to prepare a plan, including an economic/market analysis, alternative development scenarios, a transit plan, a historic interpretation strategy, and a strong public input process.
There were a lot of recommendations for the plan by The Walker Collaborative (TWC).
Recommendations included building rehabs, mixed-use infill, a community/interpretive center, a plaza and amphitheater, daycare, townhouses, streetscape redevelopment, new parking lots, financial incentives, and zoning adjustments. The plan was used to secure a $1 million Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) grant, a $2.8 million Section 108 loan, a $285,000 federal special appropriation, and both Historic and New Market tax credits. The plan has been substantially implemented, including several building rehabs, numerous successful businesses, and upper-floor housing. Please look below for a video on the project.