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Profiles in Courage
As the largest development proposal ever seen in Raleigh, John Kane’s Downtown South Project challenges all the normal processes for judging community impacts and benefits. The political pressure for quick approval is equally off the charts, so much so that the City...
Baldwin & Council majority set surprise Dec. 15 public hearing on Kane’s “Downtown South” scheme: Fast-track to approval?
The Planning Commission is still looking at it, and City Council was not scheduled to meet again until January. You know, "Deck the Halls?" Until, that is, Mayor Baldwin and her band of Council followers stepped in to fast-track developer John Kane's "Downtown South"...
At Kane site in South Raleigh, residents choose a new neighborhood over a 2nd Downtown
Until Kane pitched his “New Downtown” scheme, the City showed smaller-scale “Transit-Oriented Development” on South Wilmington Street — because it’s a future Bus Rapid Transit corridor.
The Wake County Housing Justice Coalition gives voice to Raleigh residents threatened by a perfect storm of pandemic-magnified racial, environmental and economic injustices
Kudos to the Wake County Housing Justice Coalition (WCHJC) for their Virtual Public Forum on November 23, lifting the voices of those who would be most impacted by John Kane‘s Downtown South project. With the decline in local, independent investigative news reporting,...
Stick to the Plan — Raleigh’s Comprehensive Plan
Raleigh’s Comprehensive Plan makes a clear commitment to sustainability and focuses on the “interdependent relationships of environmental stewardship, economic strength and social integrity.” It emphasizes the provision of economic and housing opportunities for all segments of the population in all areas of the city… including “aging in place.” It strongly promotes protection, restoration and preservation of the environment and existing neighborhoods; “of careful infill development that complements existing character and responds to natural features” … “the conservation of urban, suburban and native forests” … “preserving its natural landscapes” … “wildlife and habitat protection” and on and on.
Livable Raleigh’s Call To Action on Kane’s Downtown South Project
Dear Friends of Livable Raleigh, Earlier this week I sent a Call To Action message to everyone on our Livable Raleigh mailing list in regards to the proposed Downtown South project. You may have read about the project in recent stories here. The Downtown South Project...
Yolanda Taylor shares recommendations from the Wake County Housing Justice Coalition
Now that voters have passed an affordable housing bond in Raleigh, it's time to roll up our sleeves and remain engaged. Here are recommendations from the Wake County Housing Justice Coalition's Yolanda Taylor for a plan forward towards ensuring that Raleigh grows as...
Planning Commissioner Nicole Bennett nails what’s missing in Kane’s “Downtown South” scheme: The Public Interest.
The public interest, Bennett says, must take into account the people and communities that will feel the impact of what is built. Will they see any benefits? Or only the negative consequences?
The more people want to speak to City Council, the less Mary-Ann Baldwin wants to hear. Really.
If more people sign up to speak to City Council, Baldwin suggests, that should result in all of them getting less time.
Bob Geary on the Downtown South rezoning: City Council’s 3 shady moves that need to STOP
To put it mildly, this is what you call bass ackwards. The benefits should be offered and agreed to first, before the rezoning is considered, and while the city still has leverage.
Taxpayer Subsidies: Not Needed Then, Not Needed Now.
Taxpayer subsidies to developers are rarely, if ever, a good idea. John Kane is asking for public money to fund his proposed "Downtown South" development. Because of my concerns, I spoke to the Raleigh City Council during the public comments period of the November 4th...
Hwa Huang – Reparations in Raleigh – Part 2
Just a few weeks ago, Durham City Council took another step forward in their calls for reparation efforts as they voted unanimously to call for national reparations in order to start closing the wealth gap for its Black communities. To make up for all of the missed...
After the election, Raleigh still has work to do. Is your voice being heard?
I know that the election is on your mind, but if you live in Raleigh, life will continue to move rapidly on Wednesday. The Raleigh City Council meeting normally held on Tuesday will be on Wednesday and serious issues will be on the agenda. The City Council meeting on...
City Council’s Code of Conduct Demands Respect for Citizens
The Raleigh City Council has a formal "Code of Conduct" which defines acceptable behavior for the councilors. One section of the code defines how the councilors are expected to behave in interactions with the public. CONDUCT WITH THE PUBLIC Public meetings and...
Council Member David Cox – Preserving Our Trees in the Richland Creek Watershed
David Cox, PhD, the three-term District B representative on Raleigh's City Council, submitted the following "Guest Blog" to Livable Raleigh for publication. The Richland Creek watershed drains into the Neuse River. Why is that important? Because City Council is...
CBS 17 – Advocates speak out on potential effect of ‘Downtown South’ on nearby Raleigh residents
Livable Raleigh's Sade Gilbert was interviewed by CBS 17 for a report on the effects the proposed Downtown South project would have on the local neighborhoods and the environment. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Plans for a stadium and entertainment district in...
Downtown South – My Letter to the Mayor and City Council
Susan Maruyama, a resident of Raleigh, sent the following email to the Mayor and City Council on Wednesday, October 21. Dear Mayor and City Council members, I listened to the City Council meeting yesterday and was struck by the cavalier attitude of Bonner...
Give It Up for John Kane: His Downtown South Plan is a Power Grab, Money Grab and Tax Grab
What do we know about Kane Realty's Downtown South (DTS) plan after a 3-hour long Planning Commission meeting on Friday? The answer is, we didn't learn one thing on Friday that we didn't already know; and going into Friday, all we knew about developer John Kane's...
Raleigh Community Engagement: Where’s the Beef?
It has now been 260 days since the Raleigh City Council abolished its support of Raleigh's CACs (Citizen Advisory Councils). This was done in a surprise vote on February 4th that was developed in secret, with no community engagement, and with a demand for no...
Kane’s Downtown South Up-Zoning Case Z-13-20: A Primer. (Short Version: 40 Stories, Could Be Anything, Starts Thursday)
Affordable housing included? No. Enhanced Stormwater Controls? No. Low-impact Development promised? No. Is there a Community Benefits Agreement? No. Are ANY design or details offered? No. None.