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Wake Transit Plan to be Reviewed by Town Councils
Submitted by Logan Mintz on Fri, 12/09/2011 - 10:18am. Wake County has released a draft plan for improving and expanding bus and rail service in Wake County. Wake County Commissioners now want each Wake city and town council to review the proposed Wake Transit Plan and obtain their approval for moving forward with a transit funding referendum. David Cooke, Wake County Manager, and David King, General Manager of Triangle Transit, recently presented the plan at a Capital Area Friends of Transit event. View the presentation here. You can also view a summary and maps of the plan on WakeUP's Land Use and Transportation tab. For a more comprehensive look, check out the whole plan on Wake County's website. The first town council briefing is for the town of Garner, 7:30pm on December 15th.
WakeUP Wake County Receives Grant Awards From Local Foundations
Submitted by Logan Mintz on Mon, 01/09/2012 - 11:47am.WAKEUP WAKE COUNTY RECEIVES GRANT AWARDS FROM LOCAL FOUNDATIONS
Three prominent North Carolina-based foundations have awarded grants to WakeUP Wake County for its 2012 work advancing public transit, effective land use planning, and clean drinking water. WakeUP is very pleased to be receiving $25,000 from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, $15,000 from the Triangle Community Foundation, and $20,000 from the Raleigh-based Beehive Collective.
Transit 'core' Op-ed in News & Observer
Submitted by Logan Mintz on Sat, 11/19/2011 - 1:01am.There's a good case to be made for what could be called the all-the-way approach to mass transit improvements in the Triangle - load on the works, with expanded bus service plus commuter trains and light rail.
But it also can be argued that undertaking all of those transit upgrades at once would be too ambitious. Wake County Manager David Cooke's latest strategy reflects a sense that it would be better to stretch things out - better financially and better politically. He could be on the right track.
Speaking of tracks: It's the rail component of the overall improvement plan that causes heartburn here and there, especially among some of our local conservatives. But Cooke makes a distinction between commuter rail service that could be up and running fairly quickly, using existing N.C. Railroad tracks through the heart of the Triangle, and light rail between Cary and north Raleigh, which would be a new animal.
RTN Candidate Forum Schedule
Submitted by Logan Mintz on Mon, 09/26/2011 - 8:38pm.If you missed any of the candidate forums, or just want to see them again, you can view them on RTN according to the schedule below.
Vote YES on Transportation and Housing Bond Referendums!
Submitted by Logan Mintz on Mon, 09/26/2011 - 8:13am.Raleigh residents can vote October 11 on a pedestrian/transit/bicycle focused transportation bond AND an affordable housing bond! WakeUP Wake County and many other local organizations have endorsed the bonds. Remember, if you can't vote on Election Day (Oct. 11), you can vote absentee or early NOW!
$40M Transportation Improvements Bond is multi-modal (i.e. not just about cars). It will:
· Fix potholes and resurface roads
· Build new sidewalks and repair damaged sidewalks
· Extend the Greenway system and add bike lines
· Widen roads, help with corridor planning and streetscape programs
· Improve transit including Moore Square, bus shelters & benches
· Implement improvements on Union Station (leverages $20M + federal funds)
WakeUP Wake County Meets $10,000 Matching Goal!
Submitted by Caitlin Burke on Fri, 09/02/2011 - 1:12pm.Thanks to YOUR generous contributions, we have reached our A.J. Fletcher Foundation matching challenge! We have raised $10,000 from NEW donors this year, and now A.J. Fletcher will make a generous $10,000 donation to WakeUP! Many thanks to the Fletcher Foundation and all of you who donated!
WakeUP Op-Ed on Paying for Parks in the N&O
Submitted by Caitlin Burke on Fri, 07/22/2011 - 9:09am.To help pay for the costs of growth and to ensure that there will parks and recreation for newcomers, Wake County requires subdivision developers to set aside land for recreational use or to pay a fee in lieu of a set-aside. This Recreation Land Dedication Ordinance, passed in 2002, has generated over $1.7 million for acquisition of recreational land in the county.
Parks and Recreational Land in Wake County Need Your Help!
Submitted by Caitlin Burke on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 8:37am.Wake County Commissioners are considering repealing the Recreational Land Dedication Ordinance (RLDO), which requires new developments to set aside land, or pay a fee in-lieu of, for future parks, open space, and recreation.
This is a fair fee that ensures that new development helps pay its fair share of the infrastructure costs of growth. Providing and maintaining adequate parks and open space is critical as development occurs, particularly given that Wake County is projected to be the fastest growing metro region in the country over the next 10 years. If we do not set aside places for recreation, we undermine our access to healthy living and a quality environment. Moreover, we undercut our attractiveness to new residents and businesses.
WakeUP Seeking Intern
Submitted by Caitlin Burke on Mon, 07/11/2011 - 11:59am.WakeUP Wake County is offering an internship for the fall and spring semesters of 2011-12, to start in August/September. The ideal candidate will be a senior or graduate student who is interested in the local and state policy process, community organizing, growth and development issues, policy research, and non-profit organizations, and has strong written and communication and web-based technology skills.
Expert Water Panel Concludes We Need to Pay More for Safe Services
Submitted by Caitlin Burke on Thu, 06/23/2011 - 4:31pm.Water ultimately may be our most precious resource. In fast growing Wake County, our water supply is relatively shallow in Raleigh and Eastern Wake towns. Given growth projections, reports show that demand for water will exceed supply. This really concerns WakeUP Wake County, so we've been strong advocates for conservation and efficiency programs. Progress is being made, including new tiered water rates in Raleigh which should encourage water conservation by charging more for bigger users.
