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Full Funding for Raleigh's Union Station Project is Announced
Mayor Nancy McFarlane welcomed Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo to Raleigh today for the announcement that the Union Station Project will receive the full $60 million in funding. The announcement was made at a Sept. 21 press conference at the Viaduct Building, 510 West Martin Street Downtown.
 The Mayor said that monies from the City, state and federal coffers and contributions from transit groups, totaling more than $60 million, have been committed to building Union Station and the supporting track work.
“The Union Station Project is a major step toward transforming Raleigh’s transportation network to that of a world-class, 21st-century city,” Mayor McFarlane said. “The partnerships that have made this project a reality are an example of governments working together to build an infrastructure that will promote economic development and the best quality of life for our citizens.”
Also speaking at the press conference, North Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Gene Conti said hard work and tireless effort helped to secure the funding. “This is a clear cut example of how when local, state and federal groups work hand-in-hand, wonderful things can happen,” he said. “Congratulations to the City of Raleigh for having such vision.”
The $15.1 million from North Carolina’s $545 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) award will be used to help build Union Station. Additionally, $466,000 in federal dollars and a $250,000 match from the City and the state provide the final piece of funding.
 The City is working with the Federal Railroad Administration, North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Triangle Transit Authority, which is providing its Downtown Viaduct facility worth approximately $1.4 million, for the building of the new Union Station. The City also has partnered with Norfolk Southern, Amtrak and the North Carolina Railroad Company.
The City of Raleigh began a study in September 2010 in search of a multimodal transportation center. A North Carolina Department of Transportation study concluded the project was feasible and calculated the cost to be approximately $60 million. In June of this year, a federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant totaling $21 million was awarded to the Union Station project.
North Carolina Department of Transportation engineers anticipant the project design will begin in January, with construction starting in January of 2014. Construction of the new Raleigh Union Station project is expected to be completed in January 2017.
The existing Raleigh Transit Station served 192,000 passengers in 2011, which was a 17 percent increase over 2010. The station is serving a ridership which far exceeds its waiting area and parking capacity, preventing growth in passenger ridership and revenue across the state, according to North Carolina Department of Transportation officials.
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Approval Given to 2012-13 Traffic-Calming Projects
The Raleigh City Council, on Sept. 18, unanimously approved the next round of traffic-calming projects for the Capital City. Council members adopted the project priority list and authorized City staff to move forward with the top-ranked major and minor traffic-calming projects for the current fiscal year.
 Traffic-calming projects, driven by the citizen petition process, are designed to reduce speeding on neighborhood streets. They include a combination of public education, police enforcement and changes to the roadway in order to reduce speeding by motorists traveling through neighborhoods. The roadway changes may include a reduction in the posted speed limit and/or the installation of curb extensions, bulb-outs, median islands, speed humps or traffic tables.
Every year, the City’s Public Works Department staff evaluates or re-evaluates residential streets for traffic-calming projects. A rank is assigned to each street based on engineering criteria. The City Council’s adopted 10-year Capital Improvement Program allocates a total of $2.7 million to traffic-calming efforts.
Here are the top major traffic-calming projects for Fiscal Year 2012-13 (FY13):
- Cross Link Road (North) from Dandridge Drive to Rock Quarry Road;
- Cross Link Road (South) from Garner Road to Dandridge Drive;
- Crest Road from Avent Ferry Road to Varsity Drive;
- Varsity Drive from Avent Ferry Road to Marcom Street;
- Quail Ridge Road from Falls of Neuse Road to Spring Forest Road;
- Harps Mill Road (Middle) from Haymarket Way to Litchford Road;
- Falls River Avenue (South) from Durant Road to Southwalk Traffic Circle;
- Bridgeport Road (West) from Creedmoor Road to Abbottsbury Court;
- Wycliff Road from Lake Boone Trail to Morningside Drive; and,
- Brookside Drive (North) from Glascock Street to Atlantic Avenue.
The top minor traffic-calming projects for FY13 are:
- Delany Drive from Milburnie Road to Glascock Street;
- Johnsdale Road at both of its intersections with Litchford Road;
- Carlton Drive from Fox Road to Bentley Circle;
- North King Charles Road (South) from New Bern Avenue to Milburnie Road;
- Dandridge Drive from South State Street to Cross Link Road;
- Edwards Mill Road (North) from Parklake Avenue to Crabtree Valley Avenue;
- Oak Park Road (East) from Connell Drive to Glenwood Avenue;
- Cardinal Grove Boulevard (North) from the Cardinal Grove Homeowners Association property to Kyle Drive;
- Mars Street from Trawick Road to Starmount Drive; and,
- Cranbrook Drive from Shelley Road to Six Forks Road.
Major traffic-calming projects would entail significant modification to a street, including installing curb extensions, median islands, bulb-outs or traffic circles. Minor traffic-calming projects would typically include speed humps or speed tables.
For more information about the City of Raleigh’s traffic-calming efforts, including the citizen petition process, contact Traffic Calming Coordinator Thomas Fiorello at 919-996-4066 or Thomas.Fiorello@raleighnc.gov; or visit the City’s website at www.raleighnc.gov.
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City to Hold Visioning Workshop for Six Forks Road Corridor on Saturday
City of Raleigh Planning and Development is hosting a visioning workshop for the Six Forks Road Corridor on Saturday, Sept. 22 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the First Citizens Center, 4300 Six Forks Road. Coffee will be served at 8 a.m. and the workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 pm.
Six Forks Road is a major transportation corridor that connects to the 1nterstate 440 beltline and is planned for future widening. The section of the corridor that is under review extends from Sandy Forks Road to I-440. The purpose of the workshop is to gain momentum, generate ideas, and engage the public in the early design process. A full corridor study will occur sometime in 2013.
The workshop is open to the public and participants are welcome to attend the full session or drop in as their schedule allows. The workshop will begin with a presentation of an inventory of known issues followed by small group discussions, during which participants will identify key issues and opportunities and begin to craft a vision for the corridor. Public input is essential to the creation of a new vision for the Six Forks Road Corridor. The vision crafted during the workshop will guide the planning process as it moves forward.
For more information about the workshop and to follow the progress of the Six Forks Corridor Study, visit the City of Raleigh’s website at www.raleighnc.gov/urbandesign and select “Six Forks Corridor Study.” From this page citizens will also have the opportunity to participate a collaborative environment using My Raleigh Ideas. Information also can be obtained by contacting City of Raleigh Planning and Development at 919-996-2626.
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CAMPO Grant Funds Sidewalk,Pedestrian and Street Improvements
Raleigh City Council, on Sept. 18, accepted several grants from the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) through its Locally Administered Projects Program. The grant funds were disbursed from the Federal Highway Administration’s Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Program and Surface Transportation Program – Direct Attributable funding programs.
 The grants will fund sidewalk improvements along Six Forks Road, pedestrian improvements at multiple Interstate 40 overpass locations, design of street improvements along Capital Boulevard, and design of signal improvements in Downtown Raleigh. Each grant requires a 20 percent local match, for a total local match of $648,600. The matching funds were identified in the current City of Raleigh Capital Improvement Program.
The projects funded by the grants include:
Six Forks Road Improvements ($483,000)
Installation of more than 3,800 feet of sidewalk on the north side of Six Forks Road from Wake Forest Road to Coleridge Drive and a pedestrian bridge south of Anderson Drive over Big Branch Creek;
Interstate 40 Overpass Pedestrian Improvements ($2,050,000)
Retrofits of bridges along Buck Jones Road, Avent Ferry Road, Lake Dam Road, Trailwood Drive, Trenton Road and Rock Quarry Road for pedestrian access;
Capital Boulevard Improvements ($560,000)
Completion of preliminary engineering, design of street improvements and requisite environmental studies along 1.1 miles of Capital Boulevard from Spring Forest Road to Old Wake Forest Road to evaluate six-lane and eight-lane alternatives and installation of sidewalks, landscaping, streetlights and transit amenities along both sides of the street; and
Downtown Pedestrian Safety Improvements ($150,000)
Completion of preliminary engineering and design for improvements at 20 intersections downtown, including installation of ADA-compliant curb ramps and countdown pedestrian signal heads.
For more information, visit www.raleighnc.gov or contact the City of Raleigh Office of Transportation Planning at 919-996-2155.
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Approval Given to Expanded Cooperation Between Transit Systems
The Raleigh City Council, on Sept. 18 authorized Capital Area Transit (CAT) to move forward on implementing joint projects with Triangle Transit.
One of the projects is a regional branding of transit services, including a new logo and other marketing materials. The regional branding will include a survey of both riders and non-riders. The City is delaying a planned rebranding of CAT until the regional branding project is complete.
CAT and Triangle Transit also will be working on a common website, regional route numbering, regional bus stop signage, and regional fare review. CAT will continue holding quarterly staff meetings with Triangle Transit and representatives of transit providers in Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill. These meetings allow the transit providers to compare policies and procedures to help ensure quality consistent services for riders throughout the region.
For more information, contact David Eatman, Transit Administrator, 919-996-4040.
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JouleBug App Promoting Sustainable Practices Launches in Raleigh
During its regular meeting on September 18, the Raleigh City Council received a briefing on JouleBug, a new, unique, mobile smartphone application that makes it simple and fun to act more sustainably.
JouleBug was developed in Raleigh, by a team working out of DesignBox, a company located in the Warehouse District of Raleigh. The app premiered this past weekend during SPARKcon in Downtown Raleigh. JouleBug is available as a free download from the App Store.
Users can earn points, pins, and badges by using the JouleBug app to learn new ways and track existing habits for improving their sustainable behavior. By earning badges, like “Green Arrow” for recycling or “Light Saver” for switching just two bulbs to CFLs, they can anticipate saving up to $200 annually on utility bills.
Users can compete with friends from Facebook and Twitter, or as part of a group competing with other groups. Points and pins are tracked and posted through the JouleBug Leaderboard.
Beginning on September 28, the JouleBug Sustainable Raleigh badge will be available to users who earn enough points and pins. By accomplishing various tasks unique to the City, users can earn pins such as: Downtown Walkaround (complete the Downtown Raleigh Sustainability Walking Tour), Raleigh Rocket (ride an R-Line or CAT bus), Juice Box (visit a Raleigh electric vehicle charging station), Solar Squisher (use a Big Belly solar recycle station, The City of Spokes, (exercise along one of the City’s sustainable parks or greenways, or Hometown Hero (volunteer eight hours of community service within the City).
The City’s partnership with JouleBug is the company’s first with a municipality. The partnership, a result of Raleigh’s national leadership in sustainable technologies and practices, connects the community using innovative gaming technology, and also showcases the City’s commitment to developing economic opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
JouleBug will be released nationally in October, at the 2012 South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Eco Conference held annually in Austin, Texas. Hosting an international audience of on-the-ground innovators and executive-level decision makers from the public and private sectors, as well as thought leaders from academia, SXSW Eco is a three-day conference addressing the need for a concerted, cross sector approach to solving the recognized challenges facing the economy, the environment and civil society.
For more information on the City’s sustainability activities, visit http://www.raleighnc.gov/environment, or call the City of Raleigh Office of Sustainability at 919-996-3840. For more information on JouleBug, visit www.joulebug.com or email info@joulebug.com.
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Arts Commission Presents “The Real Work of Innovation – New Practices for a New Era in the Arts”
In keeping with Raleigh’s role as a 21st Century City of Innovation, the Arts Commission invited Richard Evans, a national expert in nonprofit organizational development and innovation in the arts, to speak about cultural sustainability during times of dynamic change.
Mr. Evans led an exploration of organizational innovation in the arts and its importance to the sector’s future, given the magnitude and rapid pace of change today. In the process, he discussed how innovation can be systematized as an organizational discipline – a process of creative thinking and analysis, risk and experimentation – to address the unique challenges presented by this unprecedented new era for the arts. Innovation as practice and discipline has become a trend in the corporate sector due to the successes of companies like Apple, Google and Pixar, among others. Many of its components are also intrinsic to the artistic process – constant ideation followed by experimentation to see what works. Mr. Evans’ work brings together concepts from both sectors to create a new model for organizational development in the arts.
Having worked with over 50 arts organizations, of all sizes and disciplines across the country, Mr. Evans also included a report from the field on new trends in the arts. Innovation work by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival led to their development of a new online tool that provides a virtual workspace for collaboration among artists, designers and directors working on productions. A reexamination of its role in the community, led the Memphis Symphony Orchestra to a new signature program – Leading from Every Chair, a corporate leadership development program designed by Symphony musicians in collaboration with FedEx. As nonprofits address adaptive challenges (those that defy standard fixes and business-as-usual practices), successful, new strategies for constituent engagement, programming and organizational structure have emerged.
About Richard Evans
Richard Evans directs EmcArts’ programs and strategic partnerships. Mr. Evans’ recent research, program design, and facilitation places particular emphasis on innovation, organizational change, and effective ways that the arts and culture field can respond to the demands of a new era for the sector. His studies on innovation and capacity building led to his design for the Innovation Lab for the Performing Arts. An expansion of EmcArts’ successful pilot Lab for American Orchestras, the Lab launched in Fall 2008 with the generous support of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and is now in its seventh round. An Innovation Lab for Museums, supported by MetLife Foundation, launched in Fall 2011. Mr. Evans also leads the design and implementation of the New Pathways for the Arts Initiative, a series of community-based innovation programs that has been implemented in Denver, New Haven, New York City, Saint Louis, San Jose, Chicago and Cinncinati. He heads up EmcArts’ team for strategic organizational-learning work with the James Irvine Foundation’s Arts Innovation Fund, which supports California’s major arts organizations in implementing significant innovation projects over multiple years. Mr. Evans also works with the Cleveland Foundation to implement its Engaging the Future program, a three-year initiative that EmcArts is leading to develop innovative approaches to audience engagement.
A frequent speaker on the relationship between cultural policy and emerging practices in the arts, Mr. Evans’ recent engagements have included the annual conferences of Americans for the Arts, Grantmakers in the Arts, the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Theatre Communications Group, the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, Opera America, and Arts Midwest. Richard Evans has led the design and evaluation of numerous support programs in the arts, including The Magic of Music, the Knight Foundation’s national orchestra support program. For The Pew Charitable Trusts, he led the design of the Philadelphia Cultural Leadership Program. Other major projects have included program design and delivery for The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s Orchestra Forum and The Wallace Foundation’s Arts for Young People initiative; program evaluations for the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Surdna and James Irvine Foundations; and planning processes for the City of Chicago Office of Cultural Affairs, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, and New England Conservatory of Music.
Mr. Evans received his M.A. from Trinity College, Cambridge, England. Prior to founding EmcArts, he held numerous senior positions in performing arts management and philanthropy, including co-director of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Advancement Program, first Coordinator of the National Alliance of Artists´ Communities, Chief Executive of the Bath International Festival of Music & the Arts, England, and Vice President of the National Arts Stabilization Fund.
For more information contact Sarah Corrin, Arts Grants Coordinator, 919-996-3610
Council Continues Review of Draft Unified Development Ordinance Monday at 5 p.m.
Start Delayed One Hour to Accommodate House Creek Trail Opening
The Raleigh City Council has called a special meeting for 5 p.m., Sept. 24 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.
The meeting time was delayed an hour to allow City Council Members and residents to celebrate the 4 p.m. dedication of the House Creek Greenway Trail. The dedication is being held on the trail’s picnic shelter area, just down from Glen Eden Pilot Park, 1500 Glen Eden Drive.
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Council Accepts Grant for Renovation of the Moore Square Transit Station
 The Raleigh City Council has accepted a Federal Transit Administration Grant of $1,344,000 for renovation of the Moore Square transit station, repayment of construction costs previously incurred by the City of Raleigh for the Capital Area Transit Operations Facility, and purchase and installation of passenger amenities at various bus stop locations.
The City also received $168,000 in matching grant funds from the North Carolina Department of Transportation Public Transit Division and the City contributed $168,000 in matching funds.
For more information, contact the City of Raleigh Public Works Department at PublicWorksInfo@raleighnc.gov, or visit www.raleighnc.gov/home/content/Departments/Articles/PublicWorks.html.
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Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center to Be Dedicated Oct. 1
While Raleigh residents are already enjoying the strengthening, relaxing and refreshing benefits of the Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center, the City will officially dedicate the 6,000-square-foot pool on Oct. 1 at 9 a.m.
 The facility includes a three-story water slide, vortex, lazy river, lap lanes, zero-depth entry, tot-sized play features, volleyball net, basketball hoops and concessions.
The facility located at 5908 Buffaloe Road, will be registered under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program and will have solar-heated, domestic hot water, a vegetated roof, bioswales to absorb and slow stormwater from the parking area and LED parking lot lighting.
How It Came About
In 2007, the Raleigh City Council commissioned a comprehensive study to assess current and future needs for aquatic facilities and to recommend an implementation strategy. The Aquatic Facility Study was published in January 2008.
As a result of that study, the City Council amended the Buffaloe Road Athletic Park master plan to include a regional aquatic facility. Funding for the project, which totaled $8 million, was included in the 2007 bond referendum.
The project team was comprised of Szostak Design, Inc., architect; Counsilman-Hunsaker and Associates, pool designer; and The Resolute Building Company of Chapel Hill, contractor.
Raleigh’s Aquatic Facilities
Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center is the City of Raleigh’s ninth swimming facility. It is the first opened since Pullen Aquatic Center was opened Dec. 22, 1991. The seven other facilities are: Millbrook Exchange Pool, 1905 Spring Forest Road; Optimist Pool, 5902 Whittier Drive; Biltmore Pool, 701 Crown Crossing Lane; Chavis Pool, 720 Chavis Way; Lake Johnson Pool, 1416 Athens Drive; Longview Pool, 321 Bertie Drive; and Ridge Road Pool, 1709 Ridge Road.
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City Council Creates Historical and Museum Advisory Board
On September 18, the Raleigh City Council approved the creation of the Historical and Museum Advisory Board and dissolved the Mordecai Historic Park Advisory Board.
The board will consist of 12 members appointed by the City Council, each serving two- year terms. Once appointed members will be able to serve three consecutive terms, or six years. The mission of the Historical and Museum Advisory Board is to promote, coordinate and strengthen the advocacy and advancement of public programs to further the cultural development of the Capital City. The former duties and functions of the Mordecai Historic Park Advisory Committee will now be conducted by the Historical Resources and Museum Advisory Board.
The Historical Resources and Museum Program was established in July to preserve and program the historical facilities and resources managed by the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department. The Historical Resources and Museum Program is responsible for programs and operations at the Mordecai Historic Park, the Raleigh City Museum, the Raleigh Trolley, the M.T. Manassas Pope House, the Latta House and University site, the Tucker House, the Borden Building and Stone Circle at Fred Fletcher Park and the Fred Fletcher Amphitheater.
For more information, visit www.raleighnc.gov/museums, or contact Troy Burton, 919-996-4772 or troy.burton@raleighnc.gov.
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Community Development Department to Conduct Public Meetings on One Year Action Plan
The Raleigh City Council has authorized two meetings and a public hearing to receive public comments on the City of Raleigh Community Development Department’s One Year Action Plan for fiscal year 2013-2014.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires the City of Raleigh to provide a minimum of two public meetings as a part of the citizen participation process in development and approval of the One Year Action Plan for FY 2013-2014. The plan must be delivered to HUD by May 15, 2013.
The first public meeting occurs at the beginning of the planning process to obtain views on housing and community development needs and to identify priorities for future funding. The Community Development Department’s staff will seek comments from households with low-incomes, nonprofit organizations, and other interested parties to identify challenges and to present proposals.
The second public meeting provides an opportunity for interested parties to review comments received at the first meeting and to review a preliminary draft of the proposed budget and proposed activities for FY 2013-14.
The third public comment opportunity is a public hearing to be held at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting. The public hearing provides an opportunity for public comments on the proposed One Year Plan before it is approved by City Council and transmitted to HUD.
The One Year Action Plan builds upon the strategies articulated in the City of Raleigh 2010-2015 consolidated plan. The plan represents the City’s continued mission to provide programs which address the housing and community development needs of area residents with low-incomes. FY 2013-14 will be the fourth year of the City’s consolidated plan. The plan details the City of Raleigh’s expenditure of federal and local funds for the fiscal year. The consolidated plan also describes activities for each of the three major formula federal government grants, Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership, and Emergency Solutions Grant. The City of Raleigh typically receives approximately $4.7 million from the federal government programs.
For more information, contact the City of Raleigh Community Development Department, 996-4330.
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Fall Arts Fair Scheduled for Oct. 20
The Pullen and Sertoma arts centers will hold their Fall Arts Fair on Saturday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. outdoors at the Pullen Arts Center, 105 Pullen Road near the bell tower at North Carolina State University. The fair, sponsored by the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, is free.
The public is invited to visit the fair tents to see the creations of local potters, jewelers, painters and other multitalented individuals.
“The Fall Arts Fair encourages area residents and visitors to support and buy local art from emerging and established artists,” said Jill Brown, director of Sertoma Arts Center. “It is a way to keep it local while creating community around and through the arts.”
Visitors can purchase art work and enjoy free art exhibits, demonstrations, kids’ art activities and local music from the Clear Run Bluegrass Band. Featured food trucks Chirba Chirba, Kona Ice and Porchetta will be on hand to sell food and beverages.
“The Pullen Art Center is an ideal location for this family arts festival,” said Jerry Bolas, executive director of the City of Raleigh Arts Commission. “The Fall Arts Fair showcases our local artists, offers entertainment and kids activities, and it’s a great time to learn about the many art classes for children, youth and adults available at the Sertoma and Pullen Arts Centers.”
The Fall Arts Fair will be held rain or shine.
For more information, contact the City of Raleigh Arts Commission at 919-996-3610.
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House Creek Greenway Dedication is Monday, 4 p.m.
Art and Community Services Expo Follows at Glen Eden Center
The City of Raleigh will dedicate the House Creek Greenway Trail Monday, Sept. 24 at 4 p.m.
The dedication will be held at the trail’s picnic shelter area, just down the trail from Glen Eden Pilot Park, 1500 Glen Eden Drive. Attendees should park at Glen Eden.
The 2.9-mile trail extends from the eastern end of the pedestrian bridge over 1-440 to the Crabtree Creek Trail at the intersection of Blue Ridge Road and Crabtree Valley Boulevard. The House Creek Greenway Trail opening brings the 3700-acre system to 78 miles in length.
The goal of the House Creek Greenway project is to complete the planned interconnection between the Walnut Creek Watershed and the Crabtree Watershed and to provide a bicycle/pedestrian route for north Raleigh residents into Umstead State Park.
The budget for this project is $3.827 million. The City of Raleigh received $400,000 for the project from the North Carolina Bicycle Pedestrian Fund and $250,000 in Federal Enhancement funding. In 2003, the residents of Raleigh approved a bond referendum that included funding for the House Creek Greenway. Additional funding was included for the project in the 2007 parks bond referendum.
Greenway History
The capital Area Greenway system was adopted by the Raleigh City Council in 1976. The plan proposed a system of linear parks located primarily along rivers, streams and creeks. An additional feature was the opportunity for an interconnected system of pedestrian trails across the region.
The trails located along the major rivers and streams have been the focus, but with the completion of these trails the focus will shift to completing the interconnection between major streams.
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Viva Raleigh Festival to Connect Residents with Programs, Services
The City of Raleigh’s Fourth Annual Viva Raleigh Festival takes place Saturday, Oct. 6, with music, crafts, games and information booths on City programs and nonprofit services. Viva Raleigh was originally set for May 5 but a storm that day caused organizers to reschedule the event.
The festival will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 6 at Green Road Community Center, 4201 Green Road. It will be open to everyone with no admission charge.
City of Raleigh departments, nonprofit groups and other organizations will have information tables and exhibits. Food vendors, dancers and musicians will also be on hand, along with entertainment and games for children.
Viva Raleigh is organized by a committee of Raleigh residents under the leadership of the Community Services Department.
For more information about Viva Raleigh, contact Aracelys Torrez at 919-996-5717 or aracelys.torrez@raleighnc.gov.
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Seasonal Leaf Collection Begins Oct. 1
The City of Raleigh Loose Leaf Curbside Collection for 2012-2013 will begin Oct. 1, with a training collection pass for half of the City. The remaining half will receive a pass for training beginning Oct. 15.
 Raleigh’s continued growth has necessitated significant changes in the leaf collection program. The City of Raleigh is offering residents several opportunities to have their loose leaves collected and several ways to obtain collection updates. Residents may get program updates by calling the automated “leaf line” at 919-996-3720, tuning in to cable channel 22 or by visiting the City’s website.
The City of Raleigh website offers the most detailed information including the collection schedule and in what section residents are located. Information is available on the City of Raleigh website at www.raleighnc.gov, enter “leaf update” in the search window to access a link to the Leaf Collection page. Raleigh residents may find their collection section by clicking on the “city services” tab at the top of the page and entering their address under “find my service” in the lower right corner.
Collections will be made citywide once during the month of October for training purposes, once before the Christmas holiday, once each in the months of January and February.
The City’s leaf collection vacuum equipment moves very quickly and requires residents to have their leaves prepared properly and placed curbside prior to the crews working in their area. Leaves put out after the equipment has passed by will not be picked up until the next scheduled collection. Leaf piles must be placed curbside by the dates shown for collection. Leaf piles should be placed at the curb away from any obstructions such as water meters and mail boxes.
Crews will begin work in the designated section on the next business day after the date listed. The schedule is subject to change based on the weather and the volume of leaves residents put out for pickup. The schedule is as follows;
- Section 1 - September 30, November 11, December 30 and January 31. Boundaries are Glenwood Avenue to the north; Wade Avenue to the south; Interstate 440 to the east; and the outer city limits to the west;
- Section 2 - September 30, November 18, December 30 and January 31. Boundaries are Creedmoor Road to the east; Glenwood Avenue to the south and west; the outer city limits to the north;
- Section 3 - September 30, November 25, December 30 and January 31. Boundaries are Six Forks Road to the east; Interstate 440 to the south; Creedmoor Road to the west; the outer city limits to the north;
- Section 4 - October 14, December 2, January 15 and February 14. Boundaries are Interstate 540 to the north; Falls of Neuse Road to the east; St. Albans Drive to the south; and Six Forks Road to the west;
- Section 5 - October 14, December 9, January 15 and February 14. Boundaries are Falls of Neuse Road to the north and west; Capital Boulevard to the east; and New Hope Church Road and St. Albans Drive to the south;
- Section 6 - October 14, December 16, January 15 and February 14. Boundaries are the outer city limits to the north and east; Buffalo Road to the south and Capital Boulevard to the west;
- Section 7 - October 14, December 2, January 15 and February 14. Boundaries are Interstate 440, St. Albans Drive, New Hope Church Road to the north; Capital Boulevard to the east; Wade Avenue to the south and Glenwood avenue to the west;
- Section 8- October 14, December 9, January 15 and February 14. Boundaries are Buffaloe Road to the north; the outer city limits to the east; Poole Road and Edenton Street to the south; Person Street, Wake Forest Road and Capital Boulevard to the west;
- Section 9 - October 14, December 16, January 15 and February 14. Boundaries are Poole Road and Edenton Street to the north; the outer city limits to the east and south; Person Street and Hammond Road to the west;
- Section 10 - September 30, November 11, December 30 and January 31. Boundaries are Western Boulevard to the north; Tryon Road and the outer city limits to the south; Person Street and Hammond Road to the east; Interstate 40 and Jones Franklin Road to the west;
- Section 11-September 30, November 18, December 30 and January 31. Boundaries are Wade Avenue to the north; Western Boulevard to the south; Person Street and Wake Forest Road to the east; Interstate 40 to the west; and,
- Section 12 - September 30, November 25, December 30 and January 31. Boundaries are Glenwood Avenue to the north and east; Wade Avenue to the south; Interstate 440 to the west.
Residents receiving loose leaf curbside service also may have their leaves picked up year-round on their scheduled yard waste collection day. Leaves must be placed in clear plastic bags, paper bags, or permanent containers. Permanent containers with lifting handles, such as a plastic or metal garbage can, can be no larger than 35 gallons and weigh no more than 75 pounds.
For more information on the City of Seasonal Leaf collection, contact the Transportation Field Services Division at 919-996-6446.
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Artists Invited to Submit Qualifications for Public Art at Northeast Remote Operations Facility
The City of Raleigh is seeking qualifications from artists or artist teams from the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern states to provide site-specific public art for the Northeast Remote Operations Facility. The facility, scheduled to open by the end of 2013, will serve as the operational headquarters for the City’s Vehicle Fleet Services and Street Maintenance Divisions and the Parks and Recreation Department. The facility will also be used for emergency storm operations.
The project budget for the selected public art commission is $80,000, inclusive of all expenses including design, fabrication, installation, travel, taxes and fees. Additional construction credits may be available based on the nature of the selected design for the public art project.
Qualifications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2. There is no fee to submit qualifications.
In 2009, the City of Raleigh acquired 19.4 acres of property and land in northeast Raleigh for the site of the Northeast Remote Operations Facility. In 2011, the City hired IBI Group of North Carolina, P.C. to be the architects and engineers in charge of the project’s design. The project consists of upgrades to existing facilities and additions to the properties. Additional work includes nearby road and intersection improvements involving the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The project is currently out for bid for a general construction contract.
Public art at selected City of Raleigh sites is authorized by the Half Percent for Art ordinance adopted by the City Council in 2009 and implemented by the City’s Public Art and Design Board and the City’s Arts Commission.
Under goals established by the City’s Public Art and Design Board, public art for the Northeast Remote Operations Facility could serve as an exterior gateway marker for passersby or as enhancing and unifying elements for the City employees who will frequent the building. The artwork may also have a connection to nearby Durant Park.
There will be two rounds in the selection process. In the first round, an artist selection panel appointed by the Public Art and Design Board will evaluate the artists’ qualifications. Evaluation will be based on criteria that include artistic merit, place-making experience, collaborative public art processes, project management experience and technical expertise. The artist selection panel will identify up to three finalists to invite to Raleigh for interviews as part of the second round of the selection process, which will also include providing a proposal.
For application guidelines, visit the City of Raleigh Arts Commission’s website at www.raleighnc.gov/arts and click on “Public Art” on the left side of the page under Arts. For more information, contact Kim Curry-Evans, public art coordinator for the Arts Commission, at 919-996-4688 or kim.curry-evans@raleighnc.gov.
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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Festival in Motion Celebrates Walnut Creek Greenway Sept. 29
Enjoy a full day of family-oriented outdoor fun and fitness for all ages at four City of Raleigh parks along the Walnut Creek Greenway during the Festival in Motion on Saturday, September 29. Have fun exploring nature near Downtown Raleigh and enjoy live music, food trucks, games and other activities for the whole family.
The day’s events begin at 8:00 a.m. at the Athens Drive High School Stadium near Lake Johnson Park with a monster weed wrangling. Volunteers can join the Friends of Lake Johnson and the Athens Drive Jaguar Club in preparing the site for a future nature education center. Refreshments will be served and prizes awarded to those wrangling the biggest pile of weeds by 10:30 a.m.
At 11:00 a.m. activities move to the Eliza Pool Park, 1600 Fayetteville Street. Family fun activities for all ages include a youth soccer clinic, a bike decorating contest and a parade. Have fun creating a wetland creature on wheels. Prizes will be awarded for the most creatively decorated bicycles. Decorating supplies will be provided, and food will be available along with live music, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Then join the decorated bike parade along the Greenway with a City of Raleigh Police Department escort to the Walnut Creek Wetland Center, 950 Peterson Street. As the decorated bike parade ends, begin gearing up for the year’s newest event; the Urban Wetland 5K. The run/walk starts at 2:00 p.m. at the Walnut Creek Wetland Center and progresses through the woods just south of Downtown along the Walnut Creek Greenway. The natural beauty of Raleigh is just waiting to be enjoyed as part of this traffic-free, picturesque run/walk. Registration begins at 12:30pm on Sept. 29..
A 100-yard dash event will be held for kids eight and under at 1:30 p.m. A wetland scavenger hunt will take place and food trucks will be available for refreshments that can be enjoyed to live music.
All of the festival’s events; the soccer clinic at Eliza Pool Park, the 5k run, the scavenger hunt at Walnut Creek Wetland Center, or socializing with neighbors from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Ralph Campbell Community Center, 756 Lunar Drive, will showcase Raleigh’s natural spaces.
The Festival in Motion was founded and is supported by the Triangle Greenways Council, Friends of Lake Johnson, Partners for Environmental Justice, and the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department.
For more information about the Festival in Motion, or how to volunteer for the event, visit http://festivalinmotion.com/.
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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.
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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 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.
Traffic will be affected near Garner Road from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. for a road race. Runners will assemble at 3318 Garner Road. They will proceed south, turn right on Tryon Road, proceed to 380 Tryon Road, turn around and return to the original starting line.
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 entrace 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.
Traffic will be affected downtown by a road race. Runners will gather on the 300 block of W. North Street and turn left on St. Mary's Street, right on Hillsborough Street, right on Woodburn, right on Clark Avenue, right on W. Johnson Street, left on Benehan, left on Hillcrest, right on Park Avenue, right on W. Park Avenue to the end where they will circle back to the starting line.
Traffic will be affected near City Plaza from 4 a.m. until 12 p.m. Runners will assemble in the 400 block of Fayetteville Street. The will turn left on Morgan Street, right on Salisbury Street, left on Hillsborough Street, loop the Bell Tower and then return via Hillsborough Street, McDowell Street, Edenton Street, Hillsborough Street, Salisbury Street, Morgan Street and Fayetteville Street.
October 6 Traffic will be affected in North Raleigh from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. for a road race. Runners will gather on Garvey Drive and proceed north. They will turn right on Durant Road, right on Capital Hills Road, U-turn on Gresham Lake Road, and return to the starting line.
October 13 Traffic will be affected downtown by a road race from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Click here for a map.
October 20 Traffic will be affected downtown from 3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. for a road race. Click here for a map. Additionally, the 200 block of S. Blount street will be closed from 11 a.m. until midnight for an after-race party.
October 27 Traffic will be affected from 7:30 a.m. until noon near Walnut Creek Amiphteather for a road race. Runners will use the right lane of Rock Quarry Road from the southern entrance to Sunnybrook Road, turn right and travel to the western Sunnybrook Road entrance to the amphitheater.
October 28 Traffic will be affected near Clark Avenue by a road race from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Runners will assemble in the 2000 block of Clark Avenue. They will proceed west on Clark, turn right on Oberlin Road and proceed north to Davis Street. They will turn around and return to the starting line.
STREET CLOSINGS
September 22 Largo Spring Court will be closed from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The 1100 block of South Saunders Street will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
September 29 The 300 block of W. North Street next to Hibernian Pub from Glenwood Avenue to a point just east of the public parking lot will be closed from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on September 30.
September 30 The 400 block of Polk Street will be closed from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 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
September 29 Traffic will be affected near Liza Pool Park from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for a parade. The parade will proceed from Fayetteville Road, cross over Wilmington Street, cross over Garner Road, and continue on the greenway to the Walnut Creek Wetland Center. Traffic should not be affected for more than 10 minutes at any point.
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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