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Council Begins Review Of Draft Unified Development Ordinance
Special Meeting Sept. 17, 4 p.m.
The Raleigh City Council has called a special meeting for 4 p.m., Sept. 17 to review the draft Unified Development Ordinance. The meeting will be held in the council chamber of the Avery C. Upchurch Government Complex, 222 W. Hargett St.
The Council-appointed Planning Commission has held more than 30 meetings that were dedicated to drafting the Unified Development Ordinance. The draft introduces new zoning districts, tools and regulations to address recent development trends.
Red Hat Continues To Support Downtown Raleigh With Amphitheater Sponsorship Agreement
Technology Industry Leader Claims Marquee Billing at Downtown Venue
 Red Hat, the world’s open-source leader, and the City of Raleigh on Sept. 4 announced a five-year deal to transform Downtown’s popular open-air concert venue into the Red Hat Amphitheater.
Since announcing the relocation of its headquarters to Downtown Raleigh in April 2011, Red Hat has been a leading catalyst in Raleigh’s center city renaissance as an innovative, dining, cultural, entertainment destination. In 2011, Raleigh proudly declared itself America’s “Open Source City.”
“Red Hat is proud to collaborate with the City of Raleigh, “ said Jackie Yeaney, executive vice president of Strategy and Marketing at Red Hat. “Red Hat’s mission is to be a catalyst in our communities and we’re hoping that with this collaboration, we’ll be able to help fuel the continued growth of Downtown Raleigh.”
“Raleigh is so proud that this internationally acclaimed, home-grown technological leader has further solidified its association with the Capital City,” Mayor Nancy McFarlane said of the agreement. The Raleigh City Council voted unanimously in support of the agreement at the Sept. 4 meeting.
“This Downtown venue, that offers the very best in entertainment in a uniquely Raleigh setting, is the perfect match for this uniquely Raleigh company,” Mayor McFarlane said. “We are delighted.”
The amphitheater opened in June 2010 as the Raleigh Amphitheater. In two years of operation, the 6,000-seat venue has gained a reputation as an intimate outdoor venue that is perfect for enjoying international headliners such as Mumford & Sons, Chelsea Handler, Maroon 5, Wilco, Widespread Panic, the Black Crowes and Vampire Weekend.
The amphitheater’s location in the center of Downtown’s sizzling nightlife and it exceptional setting, that includes the CREE Shimmer Wall on the exterior of the Raleigh Convention Center, offers guests a memorial, “totally Raleigh” experience. Pollstar, the leading trade publication covering the worldwide concert industry, nominated the Red Hat Amphitheater for the 2011 Concert Industry Award for Best New Major Concert Venue.
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Approval Given to Case Studies for Proposed Unified Development Ordinance
The City of Raleigh will perform case studies to test regulations in the proposed Unified Development Ordinance. The City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 4 to authorize staff to conduct the case studies on selected planned mixed-use, residential and residential infill development projects and backyard cottages.
The case studies will apply standards in the proposed Unified Development Ordinance to specific sites and development plans in order to gauge how development outcomes will differ from those in the City’s current development code. Results of the case studies will be given to council members during their consideration of the proposed Unified Development Ordinance, which was presented at the Sept. 4 City Council meeting.
The proposed Unified Development Ordinance was drafted with considerable input from residents and representatives of neighborhood groups and the development community at public meetings. If adopted by the City Council, the ordinance would implement goals, policies and actions in the City’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in the fall of 2009. The Unified Development Ordinance addresses contemporary development and zoning practices, and is designed to be easily understood by administrators, the public and the development
NC Symphony Offers ‘Pops In The City’ Free Sept. 9 Raleigh Amphitheater Downtown
The North Carolina Symphony is launching its 80th season with a free concert Sunday, September 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Raleigh Amphitheater Downtown.
Music Director Grant Llewellyn will lead “Pops in the City” with a selection for every musical taste. The program includes:
- Leonard Bernstein -- Overture to Candide;
- Percy Grainger – Spoon River;
- Terry Mizekso – Building the Community from Sketches from Pinehurst;
- Johann Strauss Jr – Accelerations Waltz;
- Arthur Sullivan – Overture di Ballo;
- James Bates – The Old North State;
- Scott Joplin – The Entertainer;
- William Grant Still – Scherzo from Symphony No. 1,Afro-American;
- Antonin Dvorak – Molto vivace and Largo from Symphony No. 9, From the New World; and,
- Aaron Copland – An Outdoor Overture.
“Pops in the City” is presented in partnership with the City of Raleigh and
is part of the City of Raleigh Downtown Family Get Down series presented by PNC. “Pops in the City” is one of four free concerts that the symphony is contracted with the City of Raleigh to provide each year. In turn, the City allocates $200,000 annually in funding to the symphony and provides the use of City-owned Meymandi Concert Hall rent free.
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Council Approves Additional Funding for Phase One of the Union Station Construction Project
The Raleigh City Council by a six-to-one vote, on Sept. 4, approved an additional $3 million to cover a gap in funding for the Union Station project; Raleigh's multi-modal transit center.
 The project includes the adaptive reuse of the Dillon Viaduct Building and the construction of railroad track improvements and station platforms and concourses. The total cost of the project, developed in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and Triangle Transit (TTA), was projected to be approximately $60 million.
On June 22, the City of Raleigh received notice that it had been awarded a $21 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant from the United States Department of Transportation to help fund the first phase of the Raleigh Union Station project.
NCDOT pledged matching funds of $9 million and Triangle Transit pledged an in-kind match of the building and land, conservatively estimated at approximately $1.5 million. The City also pledged a $3 million match for construction of the station, from proceeds from the transportation bond passed by City voters in October 2011.
NCDOT notified the City that the combination of funding from various sources had left a $3 million funding gap. The state agency requested that the City contribute the additional $3 million needed to fully fund Phase One of the project.
The Raleigh Union Station is located on the proposed high-speed rail corridor planned for the southeast. The proposed line runs from Washington, D.C. to Raleigh, then to Charlotte, and on Birmingham, Al. The station is scheduled to provide uninterrupted freight and passenger service within three years of the start of construction.
For more information, visit www.raleighnc.gov or contact Eric Lamb, Transportation Planning manager, Planning and Development Department at 919-996-2161.
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Council Authorizes Next Step for the Honeycutt Greenway Project
During its regular meeting on September 4, Raleigh City Council voted unanimously to approve a construction administration and construction materials testing contract for the 5.7-mile Honeycutt Greenway construction project. The approval was with the understanding that the construction of the project would be bid in two parts which the Council would review and determine how to proceed, and that staff would recommend alternatives for linkages to the Neuse River Trail for Council consideration.
Council approved the awarding of the $411,895 contract to WSP Sells, a national engineering and design consultant company.
Funding for the project comes from the 2003 and 2007 Parks and Greenway Bond Referendums. Design services were provided by WSP Sells.
For more information, visit www.raleighnc.gov, or call the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department at 919-996-4785.
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City Council Takes No Action on Four Year Terms
At the Sept. 4 meeting, the Raleigh City Council accepted the recommendation of the Comprehensive Planning Committee to take no action on a proposed change to four years terms for Mayor and City Council Members.
 On August 7, the City Council held a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed change to the term length. Following the public hearing, this item was referred to the Comprehensive Planning Committee for additional study. In accordance with the state's statutory process, the City Council had a maximum of 60 days from August 7, to take action on the item.
At the July 3 meeting the Raleigh City Council requested City Attorney Thomas McCormick draft a resolution of intent to change the term of the Mayor and City Council members from two to four years. At the July 17 meeting, the Raleigh City Council approved a resolution of intent and scheduled a public hearing to receive input to change the term of the Mayor and City Council members from two to four years.
Currently the City Council consists of five members elected in districts, two members at-large and the Mayor that are elected by the residents of the entire city.
Raleigh voters adopted the council/manager form of municipal government on March 18, 1947.
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City Council Receives Blue Ridge Road District Study
A study that recommends improvements for a three-mile stretch of Blue Ridge Road was presented Sept. 4 to the Raleigh City Council. No action was taken on the Blue Ridge Road District Study.
 The study area extends from Edwards Mill Road to Western Boulevard and includes properties on either side of Blue Ridge Road and the open space in the corridor. The study, administered by the Urban Design Center of the City of Raleigh Planning Department, contains recommendations in three major areas: transportation, green infrastructure and development.
Although the Blue Ridge Road District includes institutions of regional and statewide importance, planning for the area historically has lacked a cohesive vision. The individual components of the district provide great possibilities for the area as an attractive cultural destination, green recreational venue, and economic engine. Extensive groundwork was completed over the past three years by key property owners to organize and engage more than 200 interested parties in the area's future. The study provides the City of Raleigh, State of North Carolina, property owners, and residents a coordinated blueprint to guide future improvements.
To review the report, visit the City of Raleigh’s website or contact the City’s Urban Design Center at 919-996-4640.
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Approval Given to Plan to Ease Bus Traffic Downtown, Moore Square Transit Station to Undergo Improvements
The Raleigh City Council Sept. 4 unanimously approved a plan that would prevent bus traffic from backing up on Wilmington Street near the Moore Square Transit Station Downtown. The City of Raleigh also is making improvements to the transit station.
 The plan approved by council members will expand a bus zone on Wilmington Street between Hargett and Martin streets. Also to help improve the flow of bus traffic Downtown, the City is moving a stop for the R-Line away from the transit station to an area farther down Wilmington Street south of Martin Street.
Three more stops will be added to the R-Line’s daytime route that will take the Downtown circulator bus around the Moore Square Transit Station and off of a section of Wilmington Street used by other Capital Area Transit buses. To serve the three new daytime stops, the R-Line will travel on Martin, Person and Hargett streets before returning to Wilmington Street. The three stops are already part of R-Line’s evening and nighttime route.
In addition to implementing the initiatives to ease bus traffic Downtown, the City is planning immediate upgrades to the Moore Square Transit Station that includes better pedestrian access from Wilmington Street and façade, lighting, safety and aesthetic improvements.
This winter, the City will begin another round of improvements to the transit station. The $3.5 million project, approved by Raleigh voters in last year’s $40 million transportation bond referendum, will increase bus capacity, widen passenger boarding platforms, improve restrooms, add a bigger information booth, and enhance signage and real time information displays.
For more information, contact David Eatman, Transit Administrator, 919-996-4040.
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Funding Approved for Schematic Design of Union Station
The Raleigh City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 4 to allocate $250,000 toward developing a schematic design for a train station that is planned to be part of the Raleigh Union Station.
 The City of Raleigh and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will work with a private consultant on completing an architectural design for the renovation of the Dillon Viaduct Building as a train station, as well as other improvements to accommodate the facility. NCDOT will work with the consultant directly; the City and NCDOT will jointly develop the scope of the work and the consultant selection process, among other things.
The total cost of the schematic design is estimated at $966,000. The City’s share of $250,000 will come from $3 million in bond money that Raleigh voters approved for the Union Station project in 2011 as part of a $40 million transportation bond referendum.
Renovation of the Dillon Viaduct Building into a train station is the first phase of construction of the Raleigh Union Station. The building is located at 510 W. Martin Street Downtown. The first-phase work will include station platforms and canopies and multiple improvements to the railroad infrastructure.
Raleigh’s existing Amtrak Station on Cabarrus Street can no longer adequately serve an increasing number of rail passengers and must be replaced with a larger facility. Raleigh’s planned Union Station would be a hub connecting the city’s multiple transportation modes. This includes Capital Area Transit bus service; Triangle Transit’s regional bus service; long-distance bus service (Greyhound); Amtrak rail service; the Silver Star, Carolinian and Piedmont rail services; and future local and regional rail transit, such high-speed rail services.
For more information, contact Eric Lamb, Transportation Planning manager, Planning and Development Department at 919-996-2161.
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City to Update Streetscape Project Priorities
On Sept. 4, the Raleigh City Council directed staff to update the City’s list of proposed streetscape improvements projects and to solicit public comments through the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission.
The City of Raleigh undertakes streetscape improvement projects to update aging infrastructure, improve the pedestrian/bicycle environment, resolve traffic conflicts, support economic development, and improve the appearance of a street corridor.
The draft updated list includes 37 projects, many of which were previously programmed as larger-scale projects that have been phased into smaller projects for construction or design planning. City staff and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission will work to re-evaluate and re-prioritize the streetscape projects. When completed the streetscape improvements project list will be brought back to the City Council for consideration.
In October 2010, the City Council adopted a list of 23 prioritized streetscape projects. Since that time, several small area studies and corridor plans have been developed which recommend new streetscape improvements to corridors that were not included in the original project list.
For more information, contact Eric Lamb, Transportation Planning manager, Planning and Development Department at 919-996-2161.
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New Greenway App Set to Debut on Sept. 10
RGreenway, an iPhone application that integrates the City of Raleigh’s own GIS data to make Raleigh’s Greenway system more user-friendly, is set to debut on Monday, Sept. 10. The “app” was the winner of the top prize at CityCamp Raleigh in June. The three-day CityCamp Raleigh is a brainstorming session that looks to implement technology to increase the transparency of local government.
Users can download the application to their iPhone from the Apple iTunes store. A direct link to the application will be found on Sept. 10 at http://rgreenway.com/. A version of the application for Android users is being developed.
The program shows the 77-mile, 3,700-acre greenway system as a single divided park. Users will see where they are and how they can connect to other trails. The application integrates the City’s GPS data to illustrate available parking, other trails, as well as points of interest nearby. It also integrates the City’s “See, Click, Fix” program, a system that allows Raleigh residents to report potholes, graffiti, and streetlight outages.
The development team includes Traci Tillis, Lorena Akins, David Matthews, Eric Majewicz, Brad Johnson and Patrick Gravinese. Residents with questions can send inquires to info@rgreenway.com.
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Historically Prodigious Call Taker Is North Carolina 911 Employee of the Year
Raleigh-Wake 911 center call taker Heather Corbett was named 911 Center Employee of the Year by the North Carolina Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association. The announcement was made August 29 at the association’s annual conference held in Wilmington.
 Ms. Corbett competed against nominees from throughout the state for this top honor. In April, Ms. Corbett was named the Raleigh-Wake Emergency Communications Employee of the Year.
In March, the advent of an area-code overlay, misdialed calls began flooding the center and added thousands of calls per week to the existing workload. During the month of May, Ms. Corbett personally answered more than 5,200 calls. According to her supervisor Jesse Creech, "Our records indicate that Ms. Corbett answered a total of 5,269 phone calls in the month of May. Unless I'm mistaken this is by far the most phone calls ever answered by one person in a month and by anyone who has ever been employed here. It was a number I had to share with everyone as it is amazing to me. Just another reason she was an excellent choice for our recent ‘Employee of The Year’ for the Emergency Communications Center,” said Mr. Creech.
In placing her name in nomination for the state award, Emergency Communications Director Barry Furey noted that some smaller 911 centers don't receive as many calls in a month and in some cases even a year as Ms. Corbett answered in May. He also pointed out that Ms. Corbett's performance during this period was exemplary. "None of these 5,269 calls resulted in a complaint, and she was able to maintain an emergency medical dispatch score of 100 percent for the month." Ms. Corbett has been with the City of Raleigh since 2009.
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Council Approves Budget Transfers Intended to Expedite Sandy Forks Road Rehabilitation
The Raleigh City Council on Sept. 4 approved a series of budget transfers that will speed the rehabilitation efforts of Sandy Forks Road.
The City-maintained road runs between Falls of Neuse Road and Six Forks Road and is in very poor condition. The significant deterioration in the condition of the pavement indicates a structural failure in the road base that needs to be rebuilt. The estimated cost of rebuilding the road is $10 million. The road has been approved in past City of Raleigh Transportation Bond referenda but has never been funded.
In order to expedite the project, the Council approved transferring $1.5 million from the Council’s General Fund balance. The money would be used to cover the estimated design services costs. The Council also approved a resolution of intent which will authorize reimbursement of the General Fund with the proceeds from the Council’s next Limited Obligation Bond referendum. By funding the design services portion of the project, the plans will be ready should the road be included in a future transportation bond package.
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Council Approves Two Downtown Loan Requests
The Raleigh City Council on Sept. 4 approved two loans for companies through its Downtown Raleigh Loan Program. The Council created the Downtown Loan Pool program in 2004 to extend loans to businesses along Fayetteville Street. The Council has since extended the geographical area covered by the loan pool program.
The first loan is to ZBOA, Inc. for $50,000 for improvements made at ZPizza at 421 Fayetteville Street, Suite 103. The loan would be used to upgrade outdoor space and expanding the business’ catering service to serve the Downtown market. The outdoor expansion would include tables, chairs, umbrellas, and planters with trellis and lounge sets. The catering services would include two electric bikes and one electric pedicab. The loan will carry a 3.5 percent interest rate over 10 years with a five-year call.
The Council also approved a loan of $50,000 to Claremont Real Estate located at 614 Glenwood Avenue. The funds would be use for leasehold improvements and a facility retrofit for a potential restaurant or retail tenant in the ground floor. The upstairs portion of the property is currently being used as office space for the Hibernian Company. The proceeds would be used for a new glass façade for the building, a new front patio and concrete pad, footing for the side of the building, a new HVAC system, and the opening up of the interior on the first floor. The loan will be at 3.5 percent over 10 years with a five year call.
For more information, contact Luther Williams at 919-996-3840.
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Capital Area Transit to Dedicate First “Adopted” Shelter on Sept. 10
Mayor Nancy McFarlane will lead the dedication of the first adopted bus shelter on Sept. 10 at 2 p.m. The shelter, located at 4104 Poole Road, directly in front of the City’s new Capital Area Transit facility, was adopted by the employees of Veolia Transportation, a City vendor that operates the Capital Area Transit fixed-route bus service.
In August, the City began seeking volunteers to adopt City bus shelters. Adoption requires maintaining the shelter. The City of Raleigh has more than 200 bus shelters. Those wishing to participate in the initiative can assist in removing trash in and around the shelter area on a monthly basis. Volunteers also should alert the City of Raleigh of any special maintenance needs and report vandalism or suspicious activity.
To adopt a shelter, contact the City of Raleigh Transit Office by email at CATInfo@raleighnc.gov. Volunteers must complete an agreement form. City of Raleigh staff will provide adopters with trash bags, disposable gloves, and safety vests to assist in the trash removal around their adopted shelter.
“We will provide volunteers with safety vests, trash bags, disposable gloves, and a decal with their name or organizational logo on the shelter,” said Lindsay Pennell, Capital Area Transit marketing director. “People can adopt any shelter that they want. We have a list of the ones most in need, but they can choose one near their home if they like.”
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City Acquires Property on Martin Street
The City of Raleigh is repurchasing property at 226 E. Martin St. that includes a two-story commercial building. At its Sept. 4 meeting, the City Council voted to allocate a total of $374,349 for the land acquisition --- $371,999 for the actual purchase price and $2,350 in closing costs.
The City intends to use the site, which includes 0.04 acres of land, for future development opportunities.
City Receives $25,000 Teen Safe Driving Grant
During its regular meeting on Sept. 4, Raleigh City Council accepted a $25,000 grant from the Allstate Foundation. The grant was made in recognition of the Raleigh Youth Council’s successful Drive Responsible Initiative for Teens (DRIFT) program. The grant award was also contingent on the City’s successful completion of the 2011 Allstate Grant.
DRIFT is a comprehensive program designed to promote attitudes in teen drivers that will reduce risk behaviors while they operate motor vehicles. The grant’s goal is to continue the Raleigh Youth Council DRIFT program and to continue the successful partnership with the City of Raleigh Police Department, Information Technology Department, Parks and Recreation Department, local high schools, other youth organizations and local media. No local matching City funds are required.
The Raleigh Youth Council focuses on civic engagement, leadership opportunities, community service, recreation, and fundraising as well as special events such as: Youth Legislative Assembly, State Youth Council Conferences, and other events that develop leadership qualities and help members realize their full potential.
There is no membership fee. Participants must be enrolled in high school. Meetings take place on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during the school year at 7:00 p.m. at the Laurel Hills Community Center.
For more information, visit www.raleighnc.gov, or contact Daniel Price, Teen Program director, Parks and Recreation Department, 919-807-5409 or daniel.price@raleighnc.gov
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Activate Raleigh Seeks To Change Terrorist Attacks Anniversary Observance 'For Good'
Changing an anniversary “for good” is never easy; especially when a decade has been spent establishing traditions. But that is exactly what activate Raleigh is set to do by putting more than 1,000 volunteers to work for the good of our community on September 11.
The partnership between the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, the City of Raleigh and Activate Good is an attempt to convert the somber 11th anniversary of the terrorists’ attacks on the United States into a national day of “doing good.”
Volunteers will be needed for blood donations, food drives, disaster relief training, home improvements, education, environmental protection and much more. For more information or to volunteer, go to www.activategood.org.
“Activate Raleigh will make the statement that through working together as a community for the common good, we can have faith in a greater tomorrow,” Mayor Nancy McFarlane said in announcing the effort.
Funding and commitments for events in the Capital City have been provided by Barnhill Contracting Company, Capital Bank, Cassidy Turley, Coldwell Banker, CW22/MYRDC, Duke Energy, Fidelity Investments, French/West/Vaughan, Freshpoint, Hibernian Company, Inc., Kimley-Horn Associates, LS3P, North State Bank, North Carolina State Global Training Initiative, Perkins + Wills, Red Hat, Sheraton Raleigh Hotel, Spectrum Properties, SunTrust, The Body Shop, Tir na nOg Irish Pub, UGL Services, Wells Fargo, Whole Foods, William Peace University and YMCA of the Triangle.
Projects will involve several Wake County nonprofit organizations, including: The Boys & Girls Club of Wake County, the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department, CONCERT, Education for Successful Parenting, The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, Global Hope India, the Green Chair Project, Habitat for Humanity of Wake County, the Healing Place of Wake County, Helps Education Fund, Help Futures for Kids, InterAct, the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, the Lucy Daniels Center, Marbles Kids Museum, Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation, Note in the Pocket, Pan Lutheran Ministries, Passage Home, Raleigh City Farm, Raleigh Rescue Mission, Triangle Red Cross and Urban Ministries.
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Before I Die Temporary Public Art Project to Be On Display at SPARKcon Festival Sept. 15-16
The City of Raleigh Arts Commission is presenting the interactive Before I Die public art project during the SPARKcon festival held in Downtown Raleigh on Sept. 15-16.
Before I Die is an interactive public art project that invites people to share their hopes and dreams in a public space.
 Before I Die is inspired by artist Candy Chang. In 2011, she turned the side of an abandoned house in her New Orleans neighborhood into a giant chalkboard and stenciled it with the sentence, “Before I die I want to ____________________.” This allowed people walking by the house to pick up a piece of chalk, reflect on their lives, and write their personal aspirations on the chalkboard. It was an experiment. By the next day, the wall was entirely filled out and it kept growing.
Since then, the project has become an international sensation with public art sites cropping up in such far-off places as Melbourne, Australia, and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The project also is popular in the United States, with sites in Phoenix, Washington, D.C. and Savannah, Ga., among others.
“Since my involvement with the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, it has been exciting to see programming to include temporary public art projects such as Before I Die,” said artist Jason Craighead, a member of the Arts Commission. “This globally recognized project will engage the public and add to Raleigh’s recognition as a destination place.”
Public Art Coordinator Kim Curry-Evans is excited to see the project come to Raleigh. “I anticipate Before I Die will be a highly popular addition to the SPARKcon weekend, and will provide a unique opportunity for people to learn more about the benefits of art in public spaces,” she said.
The Arts Commission’s Before I Die “wall” will be set up at the intersection of Fayetteville Street and Davie Street during Sparkcon. It will be open for public participation from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 15 and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sept. 16.
Information regarding the worldwide Before I Die project can be found at http://beforeidie.cc/.
For more information about the Raleigh presentation of the Before I Die public art project, contact Kim Curry-Evans, public art coordinator for the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, at 996-4688 or email kim.curry-evans@raleighnc.gov.
Visual Art Exchange produces SPARKcon as part of its mission to support and provide opportunities for artists and connect the community to the arts. The festival gives an unusual opportunity for the community to be directly involved with a public art project in Downtown Raleigh. SPARKcon is unique because it is an event fully created by artists who are encouraged to use their creative talents to create their own programs. SPARKcon was founded in 2006 by Aly and Beth Khalifa.
Established in 1977 as the official advisory body and advocate for the arts to the Raleigh City Council, the City of Raleigh Arts Commission holds the distinction of being the first municipal arts commission created in North Carolina. Serving as the leading force to champion the arts with Raleigh citizens and their representatives, the Arts Commission’s myriad activities foster, support, and promote the arts in the Capital City.
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Raleigh City Museum Names Preservation Pro Director
The City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department has hired Ernest Dollar to serve as the new director of the Raleigh City Museum.
Mr. Dollar has served for the previous five years as executive director of the Preservation Society of Chapel Hill. He begins work Monday, Sept. 10.
“We are thrilled Ernest elected to accept the charge to become the director of the Raleigh City Museum,” said Troy Burton, administrator of the Historical Resources and Museum Program under which the City Museum will operate. “His vision, enthusiasm, and leadership will be an absolute asset to us as we embark on this new chapter in the museum’s story.
The Raleigh City Museum is located in the former Brigg’s Hardware Building at 220 Fayetteville Street. The museum was temporarily closed on July 1 as a part of the transition to City of Raleigh management.
The Raleigh City Museum will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 11. The museum’s new hours will be Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The new operating hours represent an increase of 10 hours per week.
On June 19, the Raleigh City Council authorized a five-year sub-lease that retains the museum’s current space. The lease is for $65,000 annually and can be extended for up to 15 years. The City Council also authorized an agreement by which the City of Raleigh assumed responsibility for operations and programs of the museum. The Raleigh City Museum non–profit, which previously operated the museum, transferred all exhibits, collections, and artifacts to the City. The organization is now a “friends” group and will be responsible for raising funds for the museum exhibits.
The Raleigh City Museum opened its first exhibit in 1993 and is the only home for artifacts of the city and its people. Construction on the four-story Briggs Hardware Building began in 1872 and was completed in 1874. It is recognized as the only 19th-century commercial building in Downtown Raleigh to survive virtually unchanged and is the City’s first “skyscraper.”
For more information, visit www.raleighnc.gov/museums, or contact Troy Burton, 919-996-4772 or troy.burton@raleighnc.gov.
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Free Training Available to Small Business Owners Sept. 27
Small business owners are invited to the City of Raleigh’s Business Assistance Program quarterly training session on Thursday, September 27 to learn what payment/performance bonding and insurance coverage is required by the City. The seminar will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 630 Beacon Lake Drive. It will will be taught by Sylvia Grady from First America Insurance and Jordan Koronet from CNA Surety.
Interested small business owners must register online by Monday, September 24. For more information, contact Luther Williams or Maria Torres at 919-996-3840.
Follow the City of Raleigh on Twitter
Looking for the most up-to-date information from the City of Raleigh? Follow your local government via Twitter! Twitter is a free services that allows you to "follow" people or subjects via short, frequent updates. The City of Raleigh now offers Twitter users the opportunity to stay informed about the latest news and breaking events. To join in, visit www.twitter.com and get started with a few simple steps. Once you have an active account, you can elect to "follow" any of the City's Twitter accounts.
Currently, the City maintains the following accounts:
RaleighGov - This feed features links to any news releases and alerts issued by the City of Raleigh;
RaleighBPAC - This feed features information from the City of Raleigh Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission;
RaleighParks - This feed features any news and information related to the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department;
RaleighPlanning - This feed features any news and information related to the City of Raleigh Planning and Development Department;
RalCommServices - This feed features any news and information related to the City of Raleigh Community Services Department;
RW911 - This feed features traffic accidents reported to the Emergency Communications Center;
RaleighGoGreen - This feed features news and information from the City of Raleigh Solid Waste Services Department Recycling program.
To follow any of these, simply choose "Find People" from your Twitter home page and type in the account name you are interested in and then click "follow." It's that easy.
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Follow the City of Raleigh on Facebook
City of Raleigh - The main City of Raleigh Facebook page keeps you informed about events, holidays and other news items.
City of Raleigh Planning and Development - The Raleigh Planning and Development page provides guidance for the growth, preservation and development of the City of Raleigh in order to maintain a community of lasting value.
Community Services Department - The Community Services Department Facebook page posts a variety of community and neighborhood news, stories, awards, classes and Citizen Advisory Council information.
Emergency Communications - The Raleigh-Wake County 911 Facebook page posts information on job openings, public engagement and other 911 related happenings.
Raleigh Police Department -The Raleigh Police Department Facebook page focuses on public safety. Posts concerning crime alerts, missing people, requests for citizen assistance and more.
TRAFFIC ALERTS
The Downtown Farmers Market will be held each Wednesday through October 31. City Plaza will be closed from 6 a.m. until 4 p.m. on these days.
For more City of Raleigh News and Updates on Road Closures, Parades and Road Races, visit the City's website at www.raleighnc.gov.
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ROAD RACES
September 8 Traffic will be affected near North Hills for a road race. A map of the race can be found here.
September 22 Traffic will be affected near Blue Ridge Road from 10:30 a.m. until 11:45 p.m. for a road race. The runners will gather on church property located at 3249 Blue Ridge Road. At 10:30 am runners will exit the property and turn left onto Blue Ridge, left onto Glen Eden, right onto Parklake, turn around just before Edwards Mills and return to the start/finish area along the same route.
September 29 Traffic will be affected near Sumner Boulevard from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. for a race. Runners will turn left on the 2400 block of Sumner Boulevard, right on Ruritania, proceed to the Big Lots store and turn around, left on Sumner, right on the second entrance to Meridian, left on the service road, right on Sumner, right on the first entrance to Meridian, right on the service road and return to the starting line.
STREET CLOSINGS
September 7 The 00 block of Hargett Street will be closed from Fayetteville Street to Wilmington Street from 6 p.m. until midnight.
September 8 The 00 block of Hargett Street will be closed from Fayetteville Street to Wilmington Street from 12 p.m. until 11 p.m.
October 5 The 00 block of Hargett Street will be closed from Fayetteville Street to Wilmington Street from 6 p.m. until midnight.
October 27 The 2500 block of Dahlgreen Street will be closed from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m.
PARADES
October 5 Traffic will be affected near Broughton High School from 3:45 p.m. until 4:45 p.m. for a homecoming parade. The parade will exit on St. Mary's Street, turn north, turn left on Nichols, right on Sutton, left on Daniels, left on Smallwood, left on Cameron and return to the school.
October 6 Traffic will be affected for a walk from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The walkers will turn right on Dartmouth, left on Camelot, right on Rowan, left on Lakemonth, right on Pinecroft, left on Sweetbriar, right on Duke, right on Latimer, left on Rowan, left on Camelot, right on Dartmouth, and left to the finish line.
October 13 Traffic will be affected downtown by a fundraising walk from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The group will gather on the Halifax Mall. The will enter Wilmington Street, travel north around the Archdale Building and proceed south on Salisbury Street. They will turn left on Davie Street, left on Fayetteville Street, right on Morgan Street, left on Wilmington Street, and return to the Halifax Mall.
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