Raleigh residents can voice opinions about the future of Hillsborough Street and Cameron Village by contributing to the development of a small area plan.

The next wave of development for Hillsborough Street and Cameron Village is underway, and NC State students and Raleigh residents can view a small area plan of the project and offer feedback at the public meetings held Wed. Oct. 28 and Thurs. Oct. 29. 

The meeting Wednesday will be held in Talley Student Union in the Mountains Ballroom from 7 to 9 p.m. The Thursday meeting will be held at Pullen Arts Center from 7:30 to 9 p.m. 

The City of Raleigh hired three consulting companies to guide the planning process: Stantec specializes in the transportation aspect of the plan; Lord Aeck Sargent specializes in general planning; and Noell Consulting Group focuses on market analysis. 

Collectively, the city of Raleigh paid the consulting groups $310,000 for work on the project. The city has been planning the development since last year. 

Raleigh planner Bynum Walter said the groups’ combined expertise will help address how and where Hillsborough Street and Cameron Village connect. 

The plan also includes the addressing of street connections, encouraging development, recommendations for zoning and also improvements for pedestrian and land use.

Hillsborough Street is already seeing new additions. Stanhope Apartments opened this August and the Aloft Raleigh hotel and restaurant opened earlier this month.

Raleigh City Councilman Russ Stephenson said the small area plan will establish realistic expectations for the area’s growth, which will help developers and local residents avoid future conflicts.