Long-time Raleigh resident Terry Snyder shared these remarks as part of the City’s budget hearing.
I am opposed to the City Budget FY22 because many of the funding priorities do not match the greatest needs of our diverse community.
First and most important is awarding millions of dollars to Kane Realty in the form of a TIG which is a misuse of the intention of a TIG — which is to provide incentives to developers to promote development in underserved or impoverished areas. And is for the purpose of generating significant benefits to the public that would not occur but for the grant.
Kane is going to do his development anyway, with or without a TIG. He also does not have a clear understanding of the most pressing needs of the total Raleigh community. Kane’s development history does not convey any kind of understanding of or demonstrate any commitment to addressing the growth issues that impact working class and low-income people and communities in Raleigh.
You, City Council and City Staff and us, community agencies/organizations and involved/interested citizens, know and understand the most pressing needs in our community. And we have more understanding, knowledge and expertise to address these needs than private developers. Such things as:
- Housing and shelter that is affordable to the very poor and to the homeless including preserving naturally occurring affordable housing
- Prevention of gentrification in established neighborhoods
- Tax abatement program for seniors and lower income citizens so that they can afford to stay in their homes
- Increased infrastructure costs citywide impacted by significant increased growth and development
- More user-friendly public transportation including reasonably priced bus shelters at all bus stop locations to encourage and accommodate increased ridership
- Tax increases that overburden the general public
- Park operation and maintenance—Isn’t Dix Park going to have huge costs to operate and maintain?
The taxes that Kane should pay need to be shifted directly to the city in addressing and funding those known priorities city-wide in an equitable fashion.
Other objections I have include spending an extra $720,000 on designer bus shelters and the spending of thousands of dollars on ineffective and vague community engagement processes.
Join Livable Raleigh on June 14 as we lay out the case against this TIG plan.
Register now for our free Zoom event on June 14th at 7pm.