The BullStreet District has grown and changed in a lot of ways — including the branding with the name BullStreet District. I wanted to take some midpoint progress photos to contrast with the early Bull Street property photos I took back in 2013 before the baseball stadium was built. The property is absolutely massive, so driving through now it still seems like very little progress has been made in six years. In reality, there has been a lot of progress made in a short amount of time.
In no particular order but in groups, let's tour the BullStreet District as of June 2019.
The 20 Acre Park at Bull Street
This property is huge, big enough to hold a 20 acre park with no problem. Once this is built and the pond is completed it's expected to actually ease downtown flooding issues in some especially vulnerable areas. There are a lot of trees.
Wildlife is already living in the area and using the water.
I don't know what these buildings toward the back of the property (that are behind the park as of now) will be used for, if anything, but they almost look like old dorms or storage.
I like this little shack standing alone in the middle of the empty field where the park will be. To the left out of the frame of this photo is Colonial Drive.
Currently Untouched Bull Street Buildings
I am sure this graffiti was left after the asylum closed but I thought it was funny enough to get out of the car and take a photo of it. This is directly across the street from the town homes. Unsettling? I guess not for the folks who bought homes there so far!
This is directly across from where SOCO has their second location, in the property's historic bakery. I commend the people who go there for not getting creeped out by this on the daily.
This shows the difference between the old and the new on the property. On the right is the back of the First Base Building along the first base line of the baseball field.
Refurbished and New Bull Street Buildings
This is the home of the SOCO coworking space, which will have an excellent view of the park once it's completed.
The Central Energy building is an event venue, including functioning as a church on Sunday mornings.
The First Base Building houses several businesses.
The townhomes for sale are tucked away among the dilapidated buildings that haven't been touched yet.
It's easy to see that the BullStreet District is going to continue to grow even though it may seem slow as the days go by, but the years show that things are happening, and quickly in the larger scheme of things. Under construction now is better parking for Fireflies games, the REI store, and a retirement community.
People got pretty upset about the grove of trees that got cut down that were visible from Bull Street, but the clear down now provides a clear view of Segra Park. Many more trees are going to remain and more will be planted on the property, but these were ones people could see, so people got mad.
Please note that a lot of area on the property are either under construction or restricted to trespassers. Please use common sense if you want to go explore the property too and stay in the areas that are not barricaded, boarded up, and that do not have no trespassing signs. It's very easy to see where you are not allowed to go, so don't be stupid and go places you shouldn't. Contact the BullStreet District for more information on access, upcoming and current projects, and anything else related to the property.