Umstead Hotel #12 in South, Cary Awarded 6 National Championship by NCAA, Hurricane Helene, and Oktoberfest

Cary Bonds

[DISCLAIMER – the following are my thoughts and opinions on the bond and do not represent the council or the town. The town, by law, cannot advocate or use its resources for or against any bond.]

Cary has been viewed as one of the best communities in the nation for many years. Past decisions were made with a goal to be the best of the best which was a values choice and the choice to continue to be the best of the best (what we call “top of the arc”) is a Cary citizen values choice that will be decided by the bond vote in November.

The November bond is a $590 million bond with most of the cost attributed to new community/senior center projects. Using bond money for these centers makes financial sense, as large capital projects like these are best financed through bonds. That way future residents will also pay their fair share of the cost. Currently Cary has three community centers and one senior center. These centers are decades old, require a LOT of maintenance, and don’t come close to meeting citizens’ demands. And that demand is increasing with Cary being the oldest populated municipality out of the top fourteen populated municipalities in North Carolina.

What is a bond?

The bond on the November ballot is a General Obligation (GO) bond. Citizens vote on these types of bonds and if approved have the lowest interest rate. Because Cary has the highest rating from all major bond rating agencies, we will get the lowest interest rate on all bonds that will be used to fund these projects. GO bonds are a reliable, cost-effective, and fair way to finance important public projects, while ensuring that the costs are spread out, like a mortgage, and that citizens have a voice in the process.

Are bond votes a vote on projects?

Technically no. Bond votes are votes on project funding. However, if this bond fails then it is highly unlikely that many of these projects will be considered again for several years, and some may be scrapped forever.

What projects are in the bond and what are their costs?

  • Sports and Recreation Community Center: $300 million
  • Mills Park Community Center: $150 million
  • Cary Tennis Park and Pickleball Expansion: $60 million
  • Walnut Creek Greenway: $30 million
  • Asia Garden Master Plan: $10 million
  • Nature Park Master Plan: $10 million
  • New Housing Projects and Programs: $30 million

The state requires us to use highly conservative estimates in my opinion. They make us post 5.34% interest for the park’s bonds and 5.59% interest for the affordable housing bond. I believe Cary will do much better than those interest rates given that our history has been that we have beaten those rates each time. If not, we can wait until the interest rates go down.

The timing of the proposed tax rate change is also pessimistic: 2026, 2028, and 2030. The timeline used in our bond materials is the earliest date that these bonds will be sold and would then, impact the tax rate. Keep in mind that Cary doesn’t have the manpower and resources to take on all these projects at one time. Delays are common when planning large projects, and I believe that accomplishing all these projects in the timeframe listed is a stretch.

Sports and Recreation Community Center ($300 million)

The Sports and Recreation Community Center will have three components: Community Center, Senior Center, and Competitive Space. The competitive portion of this project is estimated to generate an annual economic impact to our area of $37 million which will more than double the annual economic impact of all current Cary sports venues (WakeMed Soccer, USA Baseball, and the Cary Tennis Park). In addition, the county has committed $75 million to the cost of this project. If the competitive space were in existence today it is estimated that it would be booked out most of the year with other times used for transitioning between sports.

The community center and senior center will be large enough to accommodate people that live nearby as well as all Cary residents. The senior component will have areas dedicated for senior activities. This is desperately needed especially in this part of Cary.

The area outside the Community Center will be a park-like setting. People will be able to enjoy and experience the entire grounds without ever going inside the center. In addition, the proposed Walnut Creek greenway will connect from it to Fenton and Downtown, providing a way to get to this space without driving. In the future, the developers of South Hills vision is to connect to a redeveloped Crossroads via a pedestrian bridge.

Mills Park Community Center ($150 million)

The Mills Park Community Center will include community center and a senior center. Many of our Cary residents live in western Cary and are currently underserved by public spaces. This will allow programming to help meet the needs of an aging population and the rest of the citizenry. Is this the crown jewels of community centers? No. As plans were originally developed with citizen input, I saw a LOT of features that I would love to see in the center but are just cost prohibitive. Nevertheless, this will be one of the nicest in the region if not the state.

Cary Tennis Park and Pickleball Expansion ($60 million)

The Cary Tennis Park benefits our citizens by providing recreational opportunities, but it’s also a venue for top college and professional tournaments. As I write this there is a national tennis tournament with colleges from all over the country in our town. These tennis tournaments generate millions of dollars of economic impact each year. Expanding our facilities will meet requirements that will allow us to draw bigger tennis tournaments and have an even bigger economic impact.

In addition, the expansion will create 30 pickleball courts on land that Cary owns as part of the Tennis facility. This will not only allow for recreational play in a rapidly growing sport but also allow us to hold future pickleball tournaments.

The expansion will also allow Cary to be home to the North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame.

Whether or not you play tennis or pickleball it makes good sense to support this expansion just for the economic benefits, which will help keep our taxes low.

Walnut Creek Greenway ($30 million)

The Walnut Creek Greenway project will allow citizens to go from downtown to Fenton, WakeMed Soccer Park (via Fenton) and eventually to the redeveloped South Hills on a greenway. Connecting destination centers makes sense especially given our citizens’ interest in our downtown area. Cary is known for having an excellent and well used greenway system of over 90 miles, and this investment will continue the connectivity and IMHO be our crown jewel.

Asia Garden Master Plan ($10 million)

The Asian Garden master plan is about adding a botanical garden and beautiful quiet space in Cary on land owned and shared with Wake County.   This project brings several valuable benefits of green space and beauty, where people can relax, walk and enjoy a calming environment while also celebrating our rich cultural diversity. The idea is to master plan the area and provide a space for a 1 to 2 acre set of gardens. There are few, if any, gardens like this in the Triangle area, and over time, it will provide educational opportunities and space for events to create a sense of community and likely become a destination that creates an economic impact.

Nature Park Master Plan ($10 million)

Cary purchased 200 acres to preserve its natural beauty for future generations. The current plan is to save historic structures on the site, create parking and restrooms, and create a path around the entire property. I think this nature preserve will be a fantastic amenity that keeps us the best of the best and a huge benefit to our community, families, grandkids and future generations.

New Housing Projects and Programs – Affordable Housing Bond ($30 million)

By law, Housing Bonds are separate questions on the ballot.  The Affordable Housing bond is a way to work to implement our already approved Cary Housing Plan. (https://housing.carync.gov/cary-housing-plan/)   If approved, the Housing bond will support housing initiatives in ALL four primary strategic areas contained in our plan, such as building housing and supporting residents with low and moderate incomes across Cary. Affordable Housing is a nationwide challenge, and Cary is not immune to this trend.  Our staff is the best of the best, and although we have made investments, our community has asked us to do more.  Our recently launched Stable Homes Cary Program in partnership with Dorcas Ministries- is working to support people staying in their homes and helping with relocation support when moving may be necessary. The funds provided in this bond would provide funds to create or preserve more affordable housing options, including purchasing property, providing housing development gap financing, homeownership programing and working to preserve affordable housing and helping residents age in place.   Our goal is to ensure that people of all income levels can live in our community, and I believe that this bond referendum is a critical investment in Cary’s futureand a significant part of our community’s efforts to address affordability and the growing need for affordable housing. 

Umstead #12 in South

Monday I was notified that the Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary is again being called one of the South’s top hotels. It is ranked number 12 on Condé Nast’s Readers’ Choice Awards for the top 25 in the South. 

Cary Awarded 6 National Championships by NCAA

Wednesday I was notified that Cary, and its host partners have been awarded six National Championships across three sports for the 2026-2028 seasons by the NCAA. The following press release was issued:

The Town of Cary and its host partners have been awarded six National Championships across three sports for the 2026-2028 seasons by the NCAA. Specifically, Cary will play host to four NCAA College Cups and two Division II Baseball World Series in those years.
As one of the NCAA’s most trusted partners over the past 20 years, Cary was selected from a pool of over 1,200 bids due to its rich history of hosting premiere college sporting events and its world-class facilities that have hosted competition at every level of play. “We appreciate the strong partnership we’ve built with the NCAA over all these years,” said John Collins, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources. “A lot of work gets put into these bids, and it is exciting to celebrate these rewards and show the world what Cary has to offer.”
WakeMed Soccer Park will play host to the Women’s and Men’s Division I Soccer College Cups as the championships return in 2026 and 2027, bringing the total number of NCAA soccer champions crowned in Cary to 23. The facility is currently the home to professional teams including the NC Courage and North Carolina FC, and also has shown its versatility as the host of local events, festivals, and international tournaments, including the world’s highest-stakes professional women’s soccer tournament, The Soccer Tournament (TST).
The USA Baseball National Training Complex will once again host the Division II Baseball World Series, which marks the 15th and 16th times the event will be held in Cary since 2009. Following a recent renovation, the $11 million facility is now the official home of USA Baseball’s executive office in a new 40,000 square-foot building that also houses a 22,000 square-foot indoor training center. Last September, SportsTravel magazine recognized the complex as one of the top “Best New or Renovated Venues” in the country in their annual awards.
Cary’s contribution to collegiate athletics continues to cement the area and state as a hub of premiere and collegiate sporting events in the country. “We are thrilled that Cary remains the home for the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Soccer College Cups and Division II Baseball World Series,” said Mayor Harold Weinbrecht. “Our phenomenal staff works hard to provide championship experiences to players of all skill levels and audiences of all ages across our world-class venues.”
Across its sports venues, Cary has hosted 106 College Championships, including 41 NCAA and 65 ACC, as well as dozens of high school and recreation league events. Through 2023, Cary’s total economic impact of sports tourism is nearly $300 million, attracting 10.5 million visitors from all over the United States and the world.

Hurricane Helene

My heart hurts from the losses because of Hurricane Helene. People have lost their homes, their sense of security, and, in many cases, their loved ones. For those affected by the disaster, know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Cary staff has been volunteering their time, sending much-needed donations, providing safety and shelter to displaced residents, and lifting each other up others with their thoughts and prayers. We have sent support to western NC as part of the response efforts and delivering critical supplies and equipment. And our staff remains ready and waiting to do more. God bless them! I recorded a message that was sent out to all staff expressing these thoughts. I would encourage others to do the same as our staff continues to go beyond the call of duty to help.

The residents of Cary have also been sending help to affected areas. Almost everyone I talk to wants to help and get involved in the recovery process. The biggest caution I have heard from the affected areas is to be coordinated. If not, they must stop what they are doing to receive. One effort I was made aware of was the NC Potbelly Sandwich Shop that has locations in Cary, Morrisville, and Durham. They will be distributing 25% of sales to the following organizations:

  • JAARS
  • UNCA Fund
  • Hearts with Hands
  • Manna Foodbank
  • BeLoved Asheville
  • Foothills Food Hub
  • American Red Cross

It will be a long recovery in Western North Carolina and other areas. We will need to sustain help for months if not years. Those areas will never be the same but hopefully we can help them rebuild into a better version of what they were. My recommendation is to put a reminder on your calendar to check every few months to see what else you and I can do. And if you are religious, pray.

NC Metro Mayors

Friday I was in a virtual meeting with over 40 metro mayors including Mayor Manheimer from Asheville. Here are some of the takeaways from that meeting:

  • Mayor Manheimer thanked all the municipalities who have sent help.
  • Most people don’t have power they don’t even know the extent of the devastation.
  • Massive debris piles everywhere. Troops here helping. Many municipalities have sent police to help prevent looting.
  • Some people are still completely landlocked.
  • Despite the false narrative being broadcast by some media outlets like Fox news, Manheimer says the federal and state government has been amazing and working with the governor is fantastic.
  • As of October 4th, there were still 54 people in Asheville missing.
  • There is level one emergency in Asheville which means the federal government is coordinating.
  • FEMA drilled a well for the hospital to produce 40,000 gallons a day which pressurized their system.
  • In 2004 Asheville lost water due to the remnants from a hurricane. To make sure that didn’t happen again they buried the water lines 30 feet down and created a redundant line. All of it was washed away. The main line is not repairable in the foreseeable future, but the redundant line is being repaired. They are looking at 3 weeks.
  • There is a new river as the result of the hurricane.
  • They need NC police officers to make arrests since they are the only ones that have authority (Virginia police officers and national guard soldiers do not have authority in NC).
  • Biggest need now is water, food, hygiene supplies.
  • People taking showers at friend’s homes who have water. Others line up at the YMCA for showers.
  • Donations are collected in a distribution center. Trucks with supplies are going to smaller communities every day.
  • Mayors agreed that we need to have a coordinated effort through emergency operations.
  • Asheville and surrounding areas hold briefings at 10 and 4 every day which are streamed.
  • NPR in downtown Asheville never lost power. Reporters stayed there in sleeping bags and reported non-stop all the things going on. People with land lines were calling in for others who didn’t have the ability.
  • Many mayors offered their own shelters for residents.

The information I heard was heartbreaking. I am so proud to be in a group of mayors who care and want to help. We have a LONG way to go.

Oktoberfest

Friday I joined council member Jack Smith at the Triangle Oktoberfest which was sponsored by several area Rotary Clubs including Cary and Apex. Mayor Gilbert of Apex was also in attendance. The festival opened with remarks by the Oktoberfest Rotary Foundation, the Miracle League of the Triangle which was the main beneficiary of the event, the Rotary District Governor, and me. Afterwards I tapped the ceremonial keg which marked the official beginning of the two-day event.

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

There is a clearinghouse for the endless amounts of requests that are being funneled through the state Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and that is how Cary is notified of needed support. I encourage you to read this information shared by Chief Mike Cooper – who leads our emergency management efforts – detailing our efforts to support those impacted by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.
I am grateful to Chief Cooper and the entire team for shifting priorities this week to help others in North Carolina. 
Take care, 
Sean

Mayor Weinbrecht’s Message to Staff

This week, Mayor Weinbrecht shared a message with Cary staff expressing his deep gratitude for their work supporting response efforts in western North Carolina. On behalf of his fellow councilmembers, he thanked staff for “reminding all of us of what it means to be part of something bigger than ourselves” and living Cary’s people-first values. 

Asia Fest Recap

On September 28, Asian Focus NC produced its 9th annual Asia Fest at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Welcoming thousands of visitors, the festival featured a variety of pan-Asian foods, cultural performances, and a health fair. The main events were the dragon boat races on Symphony Lake with more than 30 teams competing. Mayor Weinbrecht gave welcoming remarks at the event and was joined in attendance by councilmembers Smith, Craig, Kohn-Johnson, and Bansal as well as several dignitaries including State Attorney General Josh Stein, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, state house members, state senate members, and county officials.

Public Safety Honored by Heart of Cary Association

To commemorate upcoming First Responders Day, on October 28, the Heart of Cary Association honored first responders on Thursday at The Matthews House with a breakfast and generously donated tokens of appreciation. Councilmember Kohn-Johnson attended and read a proclamation issued by Mayor Harold Weinbrecht. Fire Chief Mike Cooper and Police Chief Terry Sult both spoke, emphasizing, in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation in western North Carolina, the importance of disaster preparedness, among other topics.

District D HOA Meeting

On Tuesday evening, Councilmember Bansal hosted an HOA meeting for representatives in District D. Roughly 30 attendees were provided with an overview of the district, ongoing and recently completed projects, followed by an opportunity for open discussion.

Advisory Board Orientation

On Monday, twenty-five new members of Council-appointed advisory boards gathered for new member orientation where they heard from Assistant Town Manager Danna Widmar, Assistant Town Attorney Matt Pentz, and Deputy Town Clerk Julie Clifton on a variety of topics including OneCary Culture, Leadership on the Line, the Imagine Cary Community Plan, policies relating to board member work, public records, meeting information, and much more. 

State of Wake County

Assistant Town Manager Shelley Curran and Fire Chief Mike Cooper attended the Wake County State of the County address this week. The theme for the 2024 event was “Growing Together”. They hosted a “Touch-a-Truck” event with ambulances, fire trucks, and other public safety vehicles. Chair of the Board of Commissioners, Shinica Thomas, gave an informative address which included interesting statistical information. She then moderated a conversation with local leaders (pictured).

Public Safety Day

The Police Department (PD) hosted Public Safety Day on September 21, which looked a little different this year. The event was held on Town Hall campus and with some exciting new partnerships. Radio crew 96.1 BBB FM was in attendance and provided live music. If you listened to 96.1 in the weeks leading up to Public Safety Day, you probably heard their commercials for the event. We were joined by over 30 different public safety entities this year to include NC State PD and their horses, Garner PD with their Nintendo Switch in the back of the patrol car, and many more. Thank you all for your support in making this event such a huge success.

Repair for Reuse

A big thanks goes out to Repair Café NC and the 28 volunteer “Fix-it Coaches” who helped teach participants how to repair their items and keep working materials out of the landfill. Cary hosted the free fall event, welcoming 71 participants and 55 items for fixing, from teddy bears to grandfather clocks. This is the sixth Cary-hosted Repair Café since 2022, with the highest repair rate to date of 76%. Spring event dates will be posted in early 2025 to offer more opportunities for the community to share repair skills, encourage appreciation and value of materials, and support waste reduction efforts.

Triangle Bikeway Update

The design phase has begun for the Triangle Bikeway project, a regional bicycle and pedestrian facility that would parallel I-40 for 23 miles from Raleigh to Chapel Hill. A feasibility study  for the project was completed in 2022; it was adopted by both Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) and Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO), and added to the Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Wake County and the Research Triangle Foundation have provided funding to initiate design and NEPA documentation for the Triangle Bikeway East which includes the 14 miles between RTP and Raleigh. This design work is being managed by CAMPO, and there is no current funding past this phase of the project. 

North Carolina CIO Leadership Dialogues

Earlier this week, Chief Information Officer (CIO) Nicole Coughlin participated in the Reynolds American NC CIO Leadership Dialogues.  The event brings together top technology leaders to discuss key topics like future technology trends, cybersecurity, and the impact of generative AI on business innovation and leadership lessons. Nicole shared her knowledge on information technology leadership techniques that may lead to being a successful CIO. The forum provided a valuable opportunity for North Carolina CIOs and senior IT leaders to network, share experiences, and learn from industry experts.

Association NC Stormwater Conference

At the APWA-NC (American Public Works Association) Stormwater Conference, Stormwater Field Services Administrator Charles Brown and Stormwater Program Analyst Emily Cochran presented on the evolution of Cary’s post-construction program, highlighting its growth since its inception in 2001. They showcased key milestones, emphasizing how the program has expanded to meet increasing regulatory demands and development. The presentation included several success stories, as well as valuable lessons learned, which other communities could apply to enhance their own post-construction efforts. Through this, they aimed to inspire continuous improvement and collaboration in stormwater management across the state.

Upcoming Meetings

Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Advisory Board
Monday, October 7
5:15 p.m.

Information Services Advisory Board
Monday, October 7
6:00 p.m.

Zoning Board of Adjustment
Monday, October 7
6:30 p.m.

Environmental Advisory Board
Tuesday, October 8
6:00 p.m.

Senior Advisory Board
Wednesday, October 9
12:00 p.m.

Public Art Advisory Board
Wednesday
October 9, 6:15 p.m.

Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting
Wednesday, October 9
6:30 p.m.

Historic Preservation Commission
Wednesday, October 9
6:30 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

  • A request to have a building moratorium. (We do not have that authority).
  • A concern that a proposed development in Waverly would create flooding. (Today’s standards help with flooding mitigation).
  • Several requests for jobs and internships. (That is handled through HR and not me).
  • Several requests to attend events.
  • A concern about contractor damage on Manassas Gap Place and Linville Gorge Way.
  • A request for sidewalks to the Windermere development.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, several Diwali dance practices, the Searstone Highview Opening ceremony, SAS Championship pro-am pairings event, SAS Championship pro-am Wednesday and Thursday, the SAS Championship Folds of Honor breakfast and event, Diwali opening in the morning with dance in the evening, the SAS Championship final round, and an HOA neighborhood event.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, October 13th, 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@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.