Reinstate Raleigh’s BRT promise: Use transit to strengthen New Bern households and families, not displace them.

Reinstate Raleigh’s BRT promise: Use transit to strengthen New Bern households and families, not displace them.

In 2016 Raleigh’s Planning Director promised Raleigh’s BRT would serve “some of Raleigh’s lowest-wealth communities .. [and] ensure that these investments benefit rather than displace households and  families.” At the New Bern BRT Kickoff Meeting, a senior city planner pledged the city would “make sure the BRT benefits … are shared equitably … so that existing residents of the New Bern corridor … are going to be there to benefit”

New Bern BRT: Bait & Switch or Just Action?

New Bern BRT: Bait & Switch or Just Action?

In 2017, ‘The Color of Law’ landed like a bombshell in progressive housing policy circles. In Raleigh, powerful development interests saw the opportunity to adopt — some would say co-opt — Richard Rothstein’s anti-segregation message by promoting pro-density zoning rules that not only lifted exclusionary zoning rules, but went much further. By 2020, a new alliance of developer money, self-righteous Council aspirants and their white privileged adherents provided the lubrication to fast track pro-density zoning proposals. Novice Councilors were assured that pesky public input needn’t impede this sweet deal to meld profits and equity.

There is no one fix for affordable housing

There is no one fix for affordable housing

Every day I see good, affordable, multi-unit housing being torn down and replaced with McMansions or “luxury” apartments. This is going on ALL OVER THE CITY and was put on steroids by the Missing Middle policy changes.

Let’s not replicate the mistakes of Glenwood South on the New Bern BRT

Let’s not replicate the mistakes of Glenwood South on the New Bern BRT

As we look back at the changes of Glenwood Avenue over these past twenty years, it would be wise to reflect on the decisions that created this Frankenstein monster that can no longer be controlled.  The Glenwood entertainment district did not just pop up organically, it was nurtured through rezoning.