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Citizens Speak Out: When Council Silenced the CACs, Black Communities Suffered Most
The son of one of Raleigh’s first Black City Councilors speaks out against gentrification in Raleigh. He says this Council’s abolition of CACs “leaves Raleigh’s heart open to knives that will cut neighborhoods and communities up”.
I helped Mayor Clarence Lightner create the CACs. Why is the current City Council so unwilling to listen to citizens?
“The lack of serious communication in the past few days is also symptomatic of an unwillingness to listen.” — Henry Sarnoff, Prof. Emeritus, NCSU
Downtown South Needs a Makeover
During the holidays we are re-posting some of our favorite guest blogs while we take some time away from our normal hectic schedules. Here is a recent message from Jane Harrison. Jane Harrison, Ph.D., works at North Carolina State University for NOAAs Sea Grant...
After Downtown South — what’s next?
Let’s advocate for meaningful community engagement as the Downtown South project moves forward. We need to ensure that concerns about gentrification, affordable housing, flooding, and traffic are addressed and not swept under the rug.
The Question of Equity. Or, Why “Downtown South” is, so far, Right for Kane, Wrong for South Raleigh
“Exclusive is what Kane wants. Inclusive is what Raleigh needs.” The public hearing on Kane’s “Downtown South” project is tonight at 7 pm.
Quality of life hinges on the details in rezonings – my experience
When major commercial development comes knocking onto residential’s door, it is wise for residents to learn from past rezonings. The news of the Downtown South project brings back memories of my involvement with the St Albans rezonings a few years ago. Kane Realty and...
Planning Commission votes 8-0 to deny current Downtown South Project and calls for a revised and improved project.
After six weeks of special meetings and intense analysis, the Raleigh Planning Commission found the Downtown South Project, the largest development proposal ever in Raleigh, to be fundamentally inconsistent with Raleigh’s adopted policies for environmental protection,...
The Public Interest: Can The Raleigh City Council See It?
Raleigh’s city leaders have a civic duty to create spaces for public dialogue; to encourage and listen to diverse viewpoints; offer honest analysis and synthesis toward recommendations that advocate for the public interest; and act in the public interest, which...
Downtown South Project – Final Call to Action
City Council has scheduled a special meeting for the Public Hearing on the Downtown South Project. You have only two days to provide your input into this important discussion. If you would like to send an email to the members of City Council, their email...
CALL TO ACTION – DOWNTOWN SOUTH
Good news: The Raleigh Planning Commission voted 8-0 AGAINST Kane Realty’s application for the massive development they’re calling “Downtown South.” The Commission found that John Kane’s bid for a huge up-zoning of his 145-acre site in South Raleigh, with buildings of...
Fast tracking this project is a betrayal of your relationship with the citizens
Longtime Raleigh resident, Rachel Wooten, PhD, delivered the following remarks to the Mayor and City Council for public comment Dec 1, 2020 To Mayor Baldwin and Council Members, I have just sent an email to you as a member of ONE Wake. I am following up with a...
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.