Town Manager One-On-One
Monday I met with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. Our conversation included several things but we talked mostly about historic preservation and the Nancy Jones house.
Cary Tennis Classic
The Cary Tennis Classic, formerly known as the Atlantic Tire Championship, was held this week at the Cary Tennis Park and was live streamed around the world. It was the 10th year we have hosted this professional tournament but the first time we hosted a women’s event in addition to the men’s event. Most of the players this year were international, giving Cary Classic patrons a chance to see the best in the world. The tournament started on Sunday and completed on Saturday so that the players could get to the US Open in time for qualifying and the main draw.
I had the pleasure of presenting the championship trophies to the winners of the ITF-WTT women’s doubles,
the ATP men’s singles, and the ITF-WTT women’s singles. All the finals’ matches went into a deciding tiebreaker which resulted in three long matches with the last trophy being handed out around midnight.
We were very fortunate to have this tournament in Cary. It not only provided entertaining tennis from the best in the world but gave us international exposure and created economic benefit. We look forward to hosting it again next year.
Cary #12 Least Stressed-Out City in Nation
Thursday I was notified that Cary was the 12th least stressed-out city in the nation according to LawnStarter. This is the methodology they used:
“First, we determined the factors (metrics) that are most relevant to rank the Most Relaxed Cities. We then assigned a weight to each factor based on its importance and grouped those factors into 8 categories: Mental Well-Being, Mental Health Boosters, Physical Well-Being, Financial Well-Being, Work Stressors, Environmental Stressors, Social Stressors, and Recreation Options. …
For each of the 500 biggest U.S. cities, we then gathered data on each factor from the sources listed below the table.
Finally, we calculated scores (out of 100 points) for each city to determine its rank in each factor, each category, and overall. A city’s Overall Score is the average of its scores across all factors and categories. The highest Overall Score ranked “Most Relaxed” (No. 1) and the lowest “Least Relaxed” (No. 500).”
While I am pleased to be recognized as one of the least stressed, I am shocked that they ranked us 406 out of 500 for recreational options. You can judge for yourself and read detailed information here.
Business After Hours at Cary Tennis Park
Thursday evening I attended the Cary Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours held at the Cary Tennis Park during the Cary Tennis Classic. There were about 150 in attendance. I provided a few remarks before we heard from the guest speaker Andy Andrews. Andrews played at NC State and was a top tennis professional in the world during the 1980s. He currently is a developer in the Raleigh area. I loved hearing his tennis stories including legends like John McEnroe.
Anthony Blackman Court Dedication
Thursday evening between tennis matches I joined Jack Smith and others in naming the Cary Tennis Park’s stadium court after Anthony Blackman who passed away last year. Anthony contributed and supported Cary in many ways through many charitable events. One of his passions was supporting the Cary Tennis Classic as the title sponsor. While he is recognized for doing so much for so many, his biggest achievement was being a friend to everyone he met.
Part of the presentation included an announcement of the Anthony Blackman Endowment Fund to help the underprivileged and offering scholarships to Wake County area youth. If you would like to find out more about this fund and contribute go here and select “Apply My Donation” to “Anthony Blackman Scholars Endowment.”
Communications with Elected Officials
Friday I traveled to Beaufort, North Carolina to give a talk on communicating with elected officials. The audience was mostly public works and public utility professionals. The goal of my talk was for them to be able to recognize certain behaviors of elected officials and to employ strategies to get crucial information to them.
India Independence Day Celebration
Saturday I joined several dignitaries at the India Independence Day celebration at HSNC temple in Morrisville. Also in attendance were NC Secretary of State Marshall, NC Senators Adcock and Chaudhuri, NC House members, the Wake County Sheriff, Apex mayor, Fuquay-Varina mayor, Morrisville mayor, and others. There were several hundred people in attendance. After a short parade we unveiled flags of NC, the US, and India. This was followed by other events and food in the temple fellowship hall.
Town Manager’s Report
Russ’ Message
Last night, Mayor Weinbrecht and Councilmember Jack Smith joined staff and community members for the Chamber’s Business After Hours at the Cary Tennis Classic. A special highlight of the evening was the dedication of the stadium court in honor of Anthony Blackman, who, as you know, Council, made a lasting impact on the Cary community.
Continuing with the theme of events, I’m excited to attend the Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket concert at Koka Booth Amphitheatre tonight. And on Saturday, I’ll be heading to Cary Tennis Park with friends for the final day of the Cary Tennis Classic.
Another significant event this weekend is college move-in! Sean, many other colleagues, and I are busy moving our kids into college, some even across the country. I hope everyone experiences a safe and smooth move-in day and transition back at home.
Speaking of move-ins, beginning next week, vendors, volunteers, and staff will be setting up for our 48th annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival. Just a reminder, as in previous years, Town Hall campus will close at noon on Friday, August 23, to finalize preparations for the two-day festival.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Russ
NCDOT Projects in Cary
Three major NCDOT projects are currently under construction in Cary:
Complete 540 (Phase 1)
Construction is nearing completion. Phase 1 extends N.C. 540 from its current endpoint at the N.C. 55 Bypass in Apex to the I-40/U.S. 70 interchange. The effects of Hurricane Debby have delayed the opening. More information on a ribbon cutting ceremony will be released as the date approaches. Phase 2 will continue this extension to the I-540/I-87/U.S. 64/U.S. 264 interchange and effectively complete the N.C 540/I-540 loop. Phase 2 is currently under construction, with the project expected to be completed in 2028.
I-40/Airport Boulevard Interchange
This project is building a diverging diamond interchange to accommodate the heavy left-turn traffic at the interchange ramps and improve safety. The project is expected to be completed in late 2024 or early 2025.
I-440 Improvements between Walnut Street and Wade Avenue.
NCDOT is widening the current 4-lane bottleneck to match the 6 lanes currently at both ends of the segment. Construction is expected to conclude in 2025.
Additional NCDOT projects
These are in design around Cary, including the Crossroads Junction Interchange, Aviation Parkway Road Widening and Maynard Road Grade Separation, and Trinity Road Grade Separation. For more information on these upcoming projects and their schedules, please visit carync.gov/NCDOT.
New Sidewalk Connections
Sidewalk construction will begin next week, August 22, along NW Cary Parkway near the Prestonwood Tennis Courts. This new segment will connect Cary’s sidewalk system to Morrisville’s, providing pedestrians with a continuous path to neighborhoods, recreation areas, and businesses. Temporary lane closures will be in place to create a safe buffer for the contractor’s work.
Once the NW Cary Parkway sidewalk is complete, the contractor will move to Summerwinds Drive during the week of September 9 to install a sidewalk from Tryon Road to the existing sidewalk near Summerview Lane. This project will incorporate crosswalk improvements at Tryon Road with a pedestrian refuge median and enhanced pavement markings.
Pedestrian Improvements
Pedestrian improvements are nearly finished on West Lake Road, Middle Creek Park Avenue, and Arthur Pierce Road. These enhancements include new sidewalks, ADA-compliant curb ramps, high-visibility crosswalks, and updated signage. This fall, we will install enhanced LED signs and complete landscaping once the signs are available and the weather is optimal for planting.
Best of North Carolina Technology Award
On Thursday, staff from Cary’s Information Technology Department received the Best of North Carolina Technology Award for Outstanding Leadership and Innovation. The award was presented by James Weaver, Secretary and Chief Information Officer of the North Carolina Department of Information Technology, at the NC Digital Government Summit 2024, held at the Raleigh Convention Center. This award recognizes the team’s groundbreaking work in deploying IoT sensors using Cary’s own LoRaWAN network at the new Downtown Cary Park.
A Sweet Treat in the Name of Community Collaboration
Last Friday, Fire Station 2 was invited to Howdy Homemade Ice Cream in downtown Cary to taste-test and name the shop’s newest flavor, a sweet but spicy ice cream available in both nut and nut-free varieties. After several spoonfuls and laughs, the Howdy staff and firefighters named the new flavor “Heat Wave.” Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, a nonprofit franchise, employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with a mission to make a difference in the lives of people of all abilities in the community. Although “Heat Wave” is a seasonal flavor, the Fire Department appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with Howdy any time of year.
Downtown Cary Park Screens Jurassic Park for more than 800 Visitors
Inclement weather caused Downtown Cary Park’s screening of Jurassic Park to be rescheduled from July 19 to August 2. This gave the Park staff another chance to recreate a scene from the movie in a Reel, reminding everyone of the new date. The Reel garnered over 37,000 plays, 765 likes, and 560 shares.
The anticipation for the film was high, with the Park bustling during pre-screening activities, including photos with an authentic Jurassic Park replica Jeep, an amber-making craft, and a dino-themed scavenger hunt. More than 800 visitors enjoyed the activities and the film. Although this movie debuted over 20 years ago, one thing remains true – everyone loves dinosaurs.
Upcoming Meetings
Athletic Committee
Monday, August 19
6:00 p.m.
Public Art Advisory Board
Wednesday, August 21
6:15 p.m.
Town Council Meeting (Work Session)
Thursday, August 22
4:45 p.m.
Town Council Meeting (Regular)
Thursday, August 22
6:30 p.m.
Mayor’s Mailbox
- Dozens of cut-and-paste emails urging me to condemn violent against Bangladeshi Hindus (It has been my practice to not get involved in issues outside our core services. Making a statement on one of these international, national, state, etc. issues will open the door to getting involved in all kinds of issues that we have no authority over. In addition, it usually accomplishes very little, makes someone feel good, and makes others feel bad. The result is usually divisive. That is not the purpose of this council. So, I will not be making a statement.).
- A request to have a Christmas Market at Downtown Cary Park.
- A complaint about the “overselling” of the John Legend concert.
- Three complaints about the property tax.
- A complaint about not funding the restoration of Nancy Jones House.
- Three complaints about the Holt rezoning proposal, 22-REZ-19, at Regency.
- A request for the town to buy Chatham Estates.
- A complaint about stormwater pipe work at Carolina Preserve.
- A request to reconfigure our dog parks with more amenities.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, an auditor meeting, interviews for advisory boards, a Cary Matters taping, a Cary Housing All Grantee meeting, a CAMPO meeting, a council work session, and council meeting, and Lazy Daze.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, August 25th, 2024. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.
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