Chris Crew was born in Morganton, NC and moved to Raleigh in 1964. He’s been a resident of Historic Oakwood since 1975.
Educated at NCSU and UNC-Chapel Hill, works for the State of NC in Public Safety. Preservationist, Cook, Trombonist, Brewer, Choirboy, Grandfather.
Chris spoke at City Council on January 14, 2025.
Greetings, Madam Mayor and Members of the Council. Thank you for your commitment to good government in the City of Raleigh.
Raleigh finds itself on lists of superlatives, and one factor that places us there consistently is our collective effort to maintain the character of our fair city through preservation of our historic landscapes, land use patterns, architecture and rich cultural heritage.
The citizens and leadership of Raleigh have seen fit to establish 8 Historic Overlay Districts. Our historic districts are museums without walls, celebrating architecture, culture, and community.
These districts were established based on considerable stakeholder input and a robust democratic process. They are to be counted among the City of Oak’s crown jewels.
Last year, we witnessed several actions by the Council that weakened the protections offered and, in several cases, contributed to the dissolution of our districts, loss of irreplaceable resources and diminution of the character of the Capital City—all for the benefit of individual gain.
As Raleigh continues to grow in population and greatness, these pressures will increase.
Jimmy Carter reminded us that we have one life, one chance, to do something meaningful.
The Preservation Community calls on each of you to be wise and diligent as we approach a new year and face new challenges and opportunities in our stewardship of the city’s great historic and cultural legacy.
Be strong, be resolute; for once these resources disappear, they cannot be recovered.
If you appreciate the kind of reporting we bring to you
Please donate $10 or $20, Thanks for supporting |