The Raleigh Connoisseur

Municipography, Wake County Transit Plan

2012-02-08T04:00:41-08:00

Municipography is a summary of current issues going through the Raleigh City Council and other municipal departments in the city. The point is to try to deliver any video, photos, and text associated with the discussions happening at City Hall or elsewhere. Since this is a downtown Raleigh blog, the focus is on the center of the city.

Making their way around Wake County is David King, the General Manager of Triangle Transit, and his entourage to present to all twelve of Wake’s municipalities about the Wake County transit plan. Yesterday at their February 7th city council meeting, Raleigh was given the presentation. It was meant for information only and the county is gathering feedback about the plan from citizens as well as city and town leaders.

One core point of the presentation more people need to be aware of is while light rail, commuter rail, and buses are being talked about, two plans actually exist. The “core transit” plan, as it’s called, is the plan that consists of the bus plan and the commuter rail line. It is estimated that this can be covered with local revenue sources only. The “enhanced transit” plan adds the light rail piece to the mix and King makes it clear that state and federal money would be needed to bring this addition to the area.

The feedback will determine whether county leaders put a 1/2 cent sales tax increase on the ballot one day and if voters approve, all the money generated gets funneled to transit these improvements. Here is the video of the presentation in Raleigh with David King and David Cooke, the Wake County Manager, talking transit, money, and future projections.

Here’s a summary from the city’s press release.

A draft plan that recommends major transportation improvements in Wake County, including new commuter and light-rail services, was presented today to the Raleigh City Council.

Wake County Manager David Cooke and David King, general manager of the Triangle Transit Authority, appeared at the City Council meeting to give an overview of the draft Wake County Transit Plan. In addition to Wake County, contributors to the proposed plan were the 12 municipalities in the county, including the City of Raleigh, and area transit providers and agencies.

Raleigh City Council members did not take action on the draft Wake County Transit Plan but accepted it as information. Similar presentations about the draft transit plan are being made to the governing bodies of the county’s other municipalities. Wake County expects to finalize the plan late this spring.

The draft Wake County Transit Plan takes a two-pronged approach to meeting increasing transit needs as the county continues to grow. Wake County’s population, set at about 901,000 in the 2010 U.S. Census, is projected to top 1 million by 2015 and 1.5 million by 2035. The transit plan’s two-pronged approach is:

A Core Transit Plan that would expand local and commuter bus service and build a rush-hour 37-mile commuter rail service from Garner to Durham. It would also provide amenities such as park-and-ride lots, sidewalks, signage and bus shelters, benches and other improvements; and,
An Enhanced Transit Plan that would build light-rail service from Downtown Cary through Downtown Raleigh, up to Millbrook Road in north Raleigh. The route would cover 13.9 miles.

Wake County’s share of the of the five-year bus services improvements in the plan would be $138.3 million of the total $344 million needed for both capital and operating costs. The remaining funds would come from state and federal funds. The commuter rail service would cost $650 million, with Wake County’s share at $330 million and Durham County’s at $320 million. The commuter rail system is projected to begin operations in 2019 or 2020.

Twelve (12) stations are proposed for the commuter rail system, including four in Raleigh. The four Capital City stations would be located along railroad tracks at the following locations:

West Raleigh north of Hillsborough Street near Corporate Center Drive;
North Carolina State University;
Downtown Raleigh near West and Davie Streets; and,
Hammond Road/Rush Street area in south Raleigh

The proposed light-rail service would cost $1.1 billion, with most of the funding coming from state and federal sources. The light-rail system would have 16 stations, including 14 stations in Raleigh. The Raleigh station locations would be:

West Raleigh Station near Corporate Center Drive and Chapel Hill Road;
Jones Franklin Road Station;
State Fairgrounds Station;
Gorman Street Station;
North Carolina State University/Dan Allen Drive Station;
North Carolina State University/Pullen Road Station;
West Morgan Street Station;
Union Station-Morgan/Hargett Station in Downtown Raleigh;
Harrington Avenue Station between Lane and Jones streets in Downtown Raleigh;
Peace Street Station;
Whitaker Mill Road Station;
Six Forks Road Station;
New Hope Church Road Station; and,
Millbrook Road Station.

Local revenue sources to pay for the transportation improvements proposed in the draft Wake County Transit Plan would include:

A half-cent sales tax increase which would need approval by Wake County voters in a referendum. The Wake County Board of County Commissioners would schedule the referendum; and,
A $10 increase in annual vehicle registration fees. County commissioners have the authority to establish a new $7 vehicle registration fee, with the revenue going toward funding the transit plan. The board of trustees of Triangle Transit can increase the regional vehicle registration fee by $3 also to fund the transit plan. The current annual vehicle registration fee in Raleigh is $35. A $10 increase would raise the fee to $45.

To view the draft Wake County Transit Plan, visit the county’s website at www.wakegov.com and type “Wake County Transit Plan” in the search engine, or call 856-6160.

Similar Posts:

Transit, Commuter Rail, and More, We Dive Into The Docs (November 6, 2011, 10 Comments)
What Should The Multi-modal Transportation Center Be Like? (December 13, 2009, 17 Comments)
Public Meeting on Transit in Wake County (September 6, 2009, 14 Comments)

Demolition Underway For 400 Glenwood South Apartments

2012-02-07T04:00:11-08:00

During a walk this past gloomy weekend, I got a chance to see some of the demolition going on along St. Mary’s and Tucker Street. The rental market is huge these days and developers are reacting not far from the main drag of Glenwood South. About 400 apartments between two new developments will start to be put together after the land has been fully cleared.

The now called St. Mary’s Square will bring about 145 apartments along the southern block bounded by St. Mary’s Street, Johnson, and Gaston Street. We’ve gone over the site plan before and now that land clearing looks almost done, construction should begin soon.

Click on the image below for a gallery of before and after photos of parts of the 600 block of St. Mary’s Street.

E-mail and RSS readers, jump to the post on the web to see the full gallery of images.

Across the Street from the currently completed apartment building, 712 Tucker, 425 Boylan will be built. Currently, houses have been removed along the south side of the 700 block of Tucker Street and once the land is cleared, the 7-story, 250 apartment building will be put together. The mixed-use building also includes 13,000 square feet of commercial space along the ground floor.

Below is another gallery of images.

Glenwood South may have the highest population density in Raleigh in a few years. Take Note.

DT Raleigh Chatter for February First Friday 2012

2012-02-03T04:00:40-08:00

http://t.co/TdXkk2kj Solar EV charger in downtown Raleigh. Harness the sun’s energy and use it to power EVs. Love it.

January 29, 2012 9:43 am via HootSuite ReplyRetweetFavorite

@MyEVExperience

DmHarris

Can just say how much I hate all you people in Raleigh right now who are walking around in tshirts #denmarkproblems

February 2, 2012 6:40 am via Twitter for Mac ReplyRetweetFavorite

@lil_frecks

Margaret Elmore

just had a dream about killing zombies from downtown raleigh all the way til I got back to wake tech so I could take a math test -__- ha.

January 30, 2012 4:24 am via Twitter for Android ReplyRetweetFavorite

@Stefystaryo

stephanie vettorazzi

In downtown Raleigh. There’s more here than u think

January 28, 2012 10:46 am via Echofon ReplyRetweetFavorite

@iTag_UrIt

President Blacksher

Why did it just take me 20 min to find a parking spot downtown raleigh. #hungry

January 28, 2012 3:43 pm via Twidroyd for Android ReplyRetweetFavorite

@4MissRia

Sheria Rowe

Im currently in Raleigh celebrating my little sisters birthday at Zydeco Downtown.

January 28, 2012 5:43 pm via txt ReplyRetweetFavorite

@RichbergENT

RichbergEnt

Just snapped some photos of downtown #Raleigh for @TriangleWiki

January 28, 2012 5:43 pm via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite

@ChrisRiefPhoto

Chris Rief

Dinner in downtown raleigh with the parents and boyfriend, #casual blue moon.

January 28, 2012 8:11 pm via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite

@michellegordonx

Michelle Gordon

So anyway this is not abt to be the 4th satrday i sit arnd and do ntn cuz of failed plans Im goin home and goin out alone. Downtown Raleigh!

January 28, 2012 8:59 pm via Echofon ReplyRetweetFavorite

@MrHix

Manuel Hicks ΚΑΨ

Downtown Raleigh is truly underrated

January 28, 2012 9:03 pm via Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite

@vitekengine

David Vitek

Picked up a few beers @tastybeverageco this afternoon, if you are looking for beer in downtown Raleigh you can’t any better

January 28, 2012 9:48 pm via HootSuite ReplyRetweetFavorite

@Geistbear

Thomas Vincent

Ive missed downtown Raleigh nightlife!

January 28, 2012 10:18 pm via Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite

@eRkimball

E. R. Kimball

Tried out Sushi O on Glenwood South for the first time and I was not disappointed…great sushi and they do not skimp on entree sizes #ilipi

January 29, 2012 12:17 am via Echofon ReplyRetweetFavorite

@aj_viola

AJ Viola

Downtown raleigh has a lovely glow in january ..

January 29, 2012 2:16 am via Twidroyd for Android ReplyRetweetFavorite

@justinolove

Justin Smith

Downtown Raleigh always jumpin

January 29, 2012 12:23 pm via UberSocial for BlackBerry ReplyRetweetFavorite

@_POEtryN_Motion

One Of Ur Followers

Idk why people rush to the next light, its downtown raleigh bitches that light is going to be red in two seconds CHILL!

January 26, 2012 4:55 pm via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite

@hilaryjordon

Hilary Jordon Clay

Walked around downtown Raleigh all afternoon with my girl Heather…what a beautiful city

January 26, 2012 5:46 pm via Mobile Web ReplyRetweetFavorite

@_dani311a_

Daniella Christy

I hate downtown raleigh its to damn confusing!.

January 27, 2012 11:17 am via twicca ReplyRetweetFavorite

@S0o0_ambitious

Bl-air ♥

I just drove under a sky walk with solar panels on it in downtown Raleigh, NC for the first time. It’s awesome! Go north on McDowell St.

January 27, 2012 6:50 pm via webReply RetweetFavorite

@XYZsolar

XYZsolar

there is something about coming into downtown Raleigh at night via south Saunders.

January 27, 2012 7:11 pm via TweetList!ReplyRetweetFavorite

@ryannichols7

ライアンニコルズ

I’m in downtown Raleigh, which is where I go when I can’t find parking in Chapel Hill.

January 27, 2012 7:35 pm via TweetCaster for Android ReplyRetweetFavorite

@apunc1

Amanda

Won’t you take me to..crazy town. Also known as downtown Raleigh. #youonlywishitwasFunkyTown

January 31, 2012 10:25 am via Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite

@DutchMcNubb

Michael

Nice Day In Downtown Raleigh!! http://t.co/cdNhio86

January 31, 2012 2:48 pm via TweetCaster for WP7 ReplyRetweetFavorite

@BenClemons30

☞ B.C. № 30® ☚

Heading to Downtown Raleigh for a friend’s bday…Guinness cupcakes in hand.

January 31, 2012 6:17 pm via webReply RetweetFavorite

@mirandaloyer

Miranda Loyer

Similar Posts:

DT Raleigh Chatter for January 6th, 2012 (January 5, 2012, 1 Comments)
DT Raleigh Chatter for January 27th, 2012 (January 26, 2012, 0 Comments)
DT Raleigh Chatter for January 20th, 2012 (January 19, 2012, 3 Comments)

Filling Empty Spaces The BEST Way Possible

2012-02-01T04:00:28-08:00

The Hue storefront on January 29th

A fun scavenger-hunt style post series I have are a few that talk about empty storefronts in downtown that should be filled with businesses. The latest was written back in May 2011 and I don’t think it’s been long enough for an update. Click on the link to visit that conversation and previous years:

2011 Top Places of Empty Spaces, Filling Retail Space In Downtown (May 25th, 2011)

There’s a new twist on the space filling front in downtown Raleigh and it’ll be unveiled during February’s First Friday, coming up on the 3rd. Beautifying Emerging Spaces Together, or BEST, has been meeting up for the past few months and they are ready to show off their first installment.

But before I get into that, I need explain what BEST is exactly. From a post on the Raleigh DLA blog, Donna Belt writes:

Two months later, I’m ready to introduce BEST, a team of Downtown Raleigh residents, business leaders and artists who have come together with the mission of BEAUTIFYING EMERGING SPACES TOGETHER. Our vision has morphed and grown according to the imagination and individual skills of each person who has joined our table, often over coffee at the Wilmoore Cafe.

With these empty spaces creating gaps around our downtown the question arises about what can be done while we wait for the businesses to invest in them?

In my mind, an empty space adds nothing to the sidewalk experience. It’s not interactive. There’s no reason to stop and stay awhile. People just pass on by and ignore it. Rather than wait for a shop or restaurant to come, why not activate the spaces until that business sets up one day?

The BEST team is putting that together and property owners are at the table with artists, residents, and business leaders. The idea is for the team to work within the current bounds, be it financial, legal, etc., and try to do something, anything that is allowed in the space. Art installations may be first but down the road, who knows.

The main point, and one of the big reasons why I’m into this project, is that it is a community driven project. Some readers may be aware of last year’s Mordecai Barbershop Art Gallery installation, a collaboration project between citizens of the Mordecai neighborhood and the property owner. A face lift was given to an empty space on Person Street made possible entirely on volunteers from the community. This is a grassroots example of taking pride in where we live and doing something to enhance the places we go by all the time.

I wish the BEST of luck to the team and look forward to the growth of the project.

Read about BEST on the project website, RaleighEmergingSpaces.com

Follow BEST Raleigh on Facebook.

Patting Myself On The Back Day, 5 Years of RalCon

2012-01-31T04:00:47-08:00

Five years and going strong.