Waverly Place Rezoning Information
Monday I received a video created by the applicant of the Waverly Place rezoning. It did an excellent job of addressing stormwater, traffic, height, and other issues. If you want to better understand what the applicant is doing to address concerns you can view the video here.
NCAA Awards Cary Long Term Championships
On Tuesday the NCAA announced that Cary would host the men’s and women’s NCAA Division 1 soccer championships (College Cup) through 2028 and the NCAA Division II Baseball Championships through 2038. This is huge for Cary and will not only provide incredible entertainment but a significant economic benefit. Here is Cary’s press release:
The Town of Cary, along with its host partners, is excited to announce an expanded partnership with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), securing Cary as a host site for another decade of National Championships for Division II Baseball and four more years of Division I Women’s and Men’s Soccer College Cups. This extension builds on the recent award of six championships for the 2026-2028 seasons and will keep Cary as a pivotal NCAA host through 2038.
Cary’s relationship with the NCAA is strengthened through partnerships with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Mount Olive, which serve as the official host institutions for Women’s and Men’s College Cups and Division II Baseball, respectively.
“A tremendous amount of dedication goes into making these events successful,” said John Collins, Cary’s Director of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources. “This recognition underscores the quality of our facilities, the commitment of our staff, and the support of our outstanding partners.”
In October, the NCAA announced that WakeMed Soccer Park would continue hosting the Women’s and Men’s Division I Soccer College Cups in 2026 and 2027, increasing the total number of NCAA soccer champions to be crowned in Cary to 23. This most recent announcement also adds the 2028 College Cups to the slate of Cary-hosted soccer championships, with further discussions on future years already underway. Home to professional teams the NC Courage and North Carolina FC, WakeMed Soccer Park hosts a range of diverse events, from local festivals to international tournaments, including The Soccer Tournament (TST), recently recognized by Sports Destination Management as one of 2024’s “Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism” alongside the Town itself as a host.
Also in October, the USA Baseball National Training Complex was selected to host the Division II Baseball World Series for the 15th and 16th times since 2009. The complex, recently renovated with an $11 million investment, now houses USA Baseball’s executive offices and a new indoor training center. Recognized by SportsTravel magazine as a top finalist for “Best New or Renovated Venue” in 2024, this facility continues to set the standard for championship baseball.
“Since 2003, Cary has proudly hosted NCAA championships across a wide variety of sports, including soccer, lacrosse, cross country, baseball, and tennis,” said Mayor Harold Weinbrecht. “It is both exciting and meaningful to share this milestone announcement alongside our esteemed partners. We take immense pride in providing athletes, their families, and our citizens with unforgettable experiences across our sports venues.”
With this extension, Cary’s portfolio of hosted events now exceeds 124 college championships, including 41 NCAA and 83 ACC titles. Through 2023, sports tourism in Cary has drawn over 10.5 million visitors, contributing nearly $300 million to the local economy.
“In the sports event industry, Cary’s brand is immaculate venues, exceptional hospitality, and attention to every detail, and the NCAA knows that better than anyone,” said Scott Dupree, Executive Director of the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, which worked closely with Cary and the NCAA on the long-term agreement. “Cary’s dedication to creating memorable championship experiences for student-athletes, families, and fans is unsurpassed. This agreement reflects Cary’s proven commitment to excellence, and it also reflects the NCAA’s trust in Cary.”
Returning on back-to-back weekends this December at Cary’s WakeMed Soccer Park, the Women’s College Cup championship match will be held on December 9. The Men’s College Cup follows, with semifinal matches on December 13, and the championship on Dec. 16.
Council Meeting Prep
Monday I attempted to contact council members about the upcoming regularly scheduled meeting Thursday. There was a concern about citizen feedback on the Parks System plan and comments about the Old Apex rezoning.
Later in the day I met with staff and Mayor Pro-Tem Byson-Robinson to go over the agenda items. The review took about fifteen minutes.
Manager One-On-One
Monday, I met with the town manager briefly. We mostly talked about this year’s budget, which ends on June 30th, and next year’s budget.
There seems to be a misunderstanding about whether we have run out of money for this year’s budget, which is not true. What is true is that very high inflation on capital projects and materials will require us to re-estimate project costs and re-prioritize since those costs exceed the budgeted revenues. The bottom line is that we wont be able to do all the capital projects we thought at the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1st.
NCAA Women’s Division I College Cup
Monday night I had the joy of attending the women’s NCAA Division I College Cup between North Carolina and Wake Forest. There were almost 10,000 in attendance. This was the 40th NCAA Championship we have held since 2003 at Cary venues. I was joined by key Cary staff, college dignitaries, and others in the VIP suite. We were treated to a great match in which North Carolina prevailed 1-0. Congratulations to UNC on being the 2024 national champion.
NCAA President
During the College Cup match with UNC and Wake Forest, I was fortunate to meet the President of the NCAA Charlie Baker. In other roles he has served as the 72nd governor of Massachusetts from 2015 to 2023 and held two cabinet positions under two of the state’s previous governors. He also served for ten years as the CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.
After a few minutes of conversation about politics we held a brief presentation to thank him and the NCAA for selecting Cary for so many championships. The women’s College Cup was our 40th and next week’s men’s College Cup will be our 41st. We presented him with a framed picture of all 40 of the NCAA Championship logos we have held over the years. I thanked President Baker and the NCAA for believing in Cary to hold the best of the NCAA championships!
Cary Tennis Classic Board
Wednesday night I met with the Cary Tennis Classic Board. We discussed issues related to holding another combined women’s and men’s event next year. We hope to have the information and dates finalized sometime early next year.
Council Work Session
The scheduled work session for Thursday afternoon was cancelled out of precaution. Someone put an explosive device that had been assembled by a relative in their car and drove it to the police station. That was a very risky move. Never move an explosive device. Instead call the police.
Council Meeting
Thursday night the council held its last regularly scheduled meeting of the year, which lasted over four hours. The agenda included seven consent items, two public hearings, and two discussion items.
In the Public Speaks Out part of the meeting several people spoke against the rezoning on Old Apex Road that was up for a vote later in the meeting.
No one spoke at the first public hearing was on an annexation for Alston Yards which will be deferred to coincide with the rezoning vote. The second public hearing was the Greenwood Forest Baptist Church rezoning which had a couple dozen speakers. In the proposal they are partnering with the Town of Cary to provide housing units at 60% AMI for 30 years (if rented) or 80% AMI (if sold), provide 25,450 square feet of community gathering space, and provide a street-side trail along the site frontages. Most spoke in favor of this proposal. Those against were nearby neighborhoods concerned with traffic and aesthetics.
The first discussion item was the Old Apex Road rezoning. Council was split on this proposal expressing concerns that it could be better. After the thorough discussion the council unanimously voted to table this item indefinitely in hopes that the applicant would work with the neighbors to find some common ground.
Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade
Saturday, I joined the entire council in the Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade. The Grand Marshall of the parade was Ralph Ashworth who owned and operated Ashworth Drugs for decades.
Before the parade the council was instructed to park at the town hall and be carried three at a time to the starting point by a police ATV. Mayor Pro-Tem Robinson and I were the last two waiting. With the parade about to start and us still at town hall, the fire chief decided that one of the town’s fire trucks would take us to the start. This was the first time I had ridden in a fire truck. What a treat. My two-year-old grandson would have loved it.
The parade was fun as usual. I was driven in a convertible by Bob and Debra Grannon. This was the largest crowd I have witnessed at a Cary Christmas parade. Everyone seemed friendly and having a great time.
Safety rules no longer allow candy to be thrown since it encourages children to run toward vehicles. So, I along with several council members walked part of the route backwards from the Cary Arts Center to Chatham and handed out candy. What a great time to celebrate in Cary.
Christ the King Lutheran Church Anniversary
Sunday I was honored to be invited to speak at the 60th anniversary of Christ the King Lutheran church. I was a child Charter member. I talked about my memories as a child of an unwed mother and how I felt loved and accepted when we were shunned by much of society at that time. This fits their current values, that is, everyone is welcome in their church no matter what.
Other speakers included previous pastors, current pastors, the bishop of the NC Synod, and others from the congregation. Afterwards, a special banquet was held for everyone.
Christ the King models the mission of inclusion that the town promotes. I am so glad to have them in our community.
Rehearsal for Downtown Christmastime Tour
On Tuesday, December 17th at 5:30 I will be part of “Christmastime in Cary: A Living History Stroll Through Time”. I am playing the part of Frank Page, Cary’s founder. The tour will begin at the Fidelity Bank Brick courtyard, with stops at Ashworth’s Drugs, the Guess-Ogle House, the Ester Ivey House, and ending at the Cary Arts Center.
The rehearsal was Sunday afternoon, and we did two practices at each stop. The kids playing Frank Page’s children were amazing. This is going to be a great production.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
In November, the Historic Preservation Commission voted to recommend a proposal for the historic Nancy Jones House at 9321 Chapel Hill Road to be used as a “Cary History and Family Research Center.” The proposal was developed by the Nancy Jones House Use Committee, formed in August 2024, which includes three members of the Historic Preservation Commission and support from the Friends of the Page-Walker. The Friends of the Page-Walker board unanimously endorsed the plan during their Nov. 6 meeting, as detailed in their letter.
In the coming months, Councilmember Craig, staff, and I will work together to evaluate the feasibility of this potential use.
Enjoy your weekend.
Sean
December 12 Council Meeting Follow-up
Staff is working on follow-up to questions asked last night regarding 24-REZ-07 Greenwood Forest Baptist Church Mixed-Use Rezoning and 21-REZ-16 Old Apex Road Rezoning.
Christmas Kicks Off in Cary
Last Saturday, Mayor Harold Weinbrecht and Councilmember Michelle Craig attended the Victorian Christmas celebration at the Page-Walker. Hundreds of families attended and were transported to a bygone era with carolers in Dickensian attire, ornament crafting, and Father Christmas himself, experiencing the magic of Christmas in Cary’s early days.
Meanwhile, Downtown Cary Park came alive with a full day of holiday cheer for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Over 700 children captured cherished moments with Santa at the Academy Pavilion. A crowd of over 5,000 gathered to witness Mayor Weinbrecht alongside Councilmembers Michelle Craig, Carissa Kohn-Johnson, Jack Smith, and Sarika Bansal, flipping the switch to illuminate Cary’s Christmas Tree. This year’s tree lighting drew the largest audience ever, spreading holiday joy far and wide while also live-streaming the ceremony for all to enjoy.
2024 Men’s and Women’s College Cup and Long-Term NCAA Hosts Announcement
This past week, Cary, in collaboration with the University of North Carolina, the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, and NCFC Youth, proudly hosted the 2024 NCAA Women’s College Cup at WakeMed Soccer Park. The event drew a record-breaking 19,808 fans from across the country.
During the championship match, Cary had the honor of welcoming the NCAA President for the first time. Mayor Weinbrecht presented him with a special gift to commemorate the 40th NCAA Championship held in Cary on Monday, December16. This milestone reflects the tireless efforts of staff from multiple departments — including PRCR, Public Works, Police, Marketing, and IT — who worked collaboratively for months to ensure the success of this premier event.
In an exciting development, Cary and the NCAA announced on Monday that Cary will become a long-term host for both the NCAA Division I soccer and Division II baseball national championships. Cary’s dedication and excellence in hosting national sports events have solidified its reputation as a premier destination, earning the trust of the NCAA for years to come.
Winter Wonderland
Last Saturday, the Cary Police Department’s Community Services team hosted its annual Winter Wonderland Event, a festive celebration designed to bring holiday cheer to children from underserved communities.
This year’s event saw a record turnout, with 48 families gathering at the Herb Young Community Center. The Citizens Assisting Police (CAP) team made the day extra special by gifting each child a bicycle, scooter, or pair of rollerblades. Additionally, children received essential winter items like coats, hats, and gloves, along with toys and toiletries. Families also enjoyed a hearty meal, ensuring that all felt the spirit of the season. A special thank you to our community partners who came together to make this event memorable for the families who attended.
603 East Chatham Street Demolition Permit
Cary has received an application to demolish the main building and accessory structure at 603 E. Chatham Street, located directly to the east of Fire Station #2. The demolition permit is currently under staff review and is expected to be issued in the coming weeks. Built around 1930, the property most recently housed LT Fleming Antiques. The property is not recognized as a Local Historic Landmark nor is it listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
A development plan has also been submitted for the .82-acre site, proposing the construction of 22 condominium units and retail space. The property is zoned Town Center Mixed Use (TC-MXD).
Wake County West Regional Library Renovation
Wake County’s West Regional Library, originally built in 2006 to serve western Cary and Morrisville, will be closing for renovations on Sunday, January 5. The upgrades will be like those at North and Eva Perry Regional Libraries, addressing aging building systems, workflow, and aesthetics. Specific improvements include improved layouts, furnishings, shelving, floor and wall finishes, high-efficiency LED lighting, HVAC equipment, and support space improvements. Wake County’s Facilities Design and Construction team will be posting periodic updates on their website and is anticipating re-opening in Fall 2025.
NCDOT Plans to Improve I-40 between Harrison Avenue and Aviation Parkway
NCDOT is beginning the planning phase to add auxiliary lanes—short lanes that connect entrance and exit ramps—on I-40 between Harrison Avenue and Aviation Parkway. The project also includes replacing the Old Reedy Creek Road bridge, which links Lake Crabtree Park to Umstead State Park, as well as two bridges over Crabtree Creek. Planning is underway, with construction currently expected to begin in 2031.
Cary Advances Bike Plan
On Wednesday, Cary staff and project consultant Toole Design met with Cary’s Bike Plan Focus Group, a citizen advisory group shaping Cary’s evolving Bike Plan. Discussions focused on aligning the plan with the draft Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Greenway Plan, addressing themes like safety and connectivity, and reviewing the timeline for adoption, targeted for 2025 after public input.
The updated Bike Plan will guide future transportation investments to make bicycling in Cary safer, more comfortable, and accessible for people of all ages and abilities. Key elements include a bikeway network with separation from vehicles in high-traffic areas, protected bike lanes with barriers, and behind-the-curb shared-use paths.
Wake Forest and Cary Staff Collaborate on Senior Programs and Services
On Thursday, Program Manager for Seniors and Aging Michelle Barrett and Operations and Program Supervisor Brett Moraes welcomed Wake Forest Assistant Town Manager Candace Davis, along with staff members Jennie Griggs and Kay Gambel, to the Cary Senior Center. The group toured the facility and held a collaborative meeting to exchange ideas on programs and services.
Earlier in the week, Michelle spoke at the MacGregor Rotary Club meeting on Wednesday, sharing insights into Cary’s services and programs for seniors. She was joined by Senior Advisory Board Chairman Barry Mitsch, who answered questions about his role and contributions to the board.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Treatment
In collaboration with NC State Forest Health and the NC Forest Service, 119 hemlock trees at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve were treated with insecticides to protect them from the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid. This treatment, conducted every five years, plays a vital role in preserving this keystone species.
Upcoming Meetings
Athletic Committee
Monday, December 16
6:00 p.m.
Planning and Zoning Board
Monday, December 16
6:30 p.m.
Cultural Arts Committee
Tuesday, December 17
6:00 p.m.
Public Art Advisory Board
Wednesday, December 18
6:15 p.m.
Greenway Committee
Thursday, December 19
6:00 p.m.
Bonds & Taxes Questions
There has been a lot of confusion (and misinformation) about three separate issues that were linked together by time and taxes. Those were 2024 property reevaluations by Wake County, the fiscal year 2025 tax rate which started on July 1st, and the 2024 Cary parks bond. In addition, there is now misinformation about the 2019 remaining bond projects. I will attempt to address these below with my thoughts and understanding. These include my opinions which may not necessarily represent the town’s position.
Property Reevaluation
Property revaluation occurs every four years and is set by Wake County. Revaluations used to occur every eight years, but Wake County changed because property values were increasing very rapidly. I have heard that the county is now considering revaluation every two years, but I don’t know that for a fact. I believe that if the next revaluation isn’t for four years we will have another significant increase in property values.
It is important to understand why property values are increasing rapidly. The Raleigh Metro Area, which includes Cary, is one of the most desirable places to live, work, and play in the nation which drives up demand. When something is in high demand people are willing to pay more and that in turn drives up costs. I believe Cary is the most desirable out of all the municipalities in the Raleigh Metro Area. That means the demand is even higher in Cary. And if the demand is high and housing is in short supply, which is true for Cary, then the costs go up even more. That is why I believe there was a significant increase in property values in Cary. My property value went up by 63% in the last four years. BTW, high property value increases were true with all municipalities across Wake County.
I have heard some people say that they don’t plan to move so having high property values is not beneficial. Someone will realize that value whenever the property is sold. It could be your children, grandchildren, etc.
Tax Rate for FY 2025 that started on July 1st
As of July 1st, the Cary Tax Rate moved to 32.5 cents per $100 of value from 34.5 cents. However, the revenue neutral rate would have been 24.5 cents. A revenue neutral rate is the rate where the municipality takes in the same amount of revenue as the previous year.
So why 8 cents above revenue neutral? 3 cents due to inflation, 2 cents to program expansion (parks and environment), 2 cents to debt service, and 1 cent due to General Fund replenishment. Also, in past years we have been able to subsidize taxes with growth. We are now a mature community, and that kind of growth is basically over.
What are some examples of inflation? Project bids are coming in about 50% above estimates, some with one bid, or sometimes we get no bids. Materials have skyrocketed. For example, sidewalk costs have doubled in the last four years and asphalt has increased by 40% in the same amount of time.
What are some examples of Parks and environment? Downtown Cary Park was one of the biggest additions to operating costs. Also, the McCrimmon Park and the Carpenter Fire Station Park. Miles of greenways were also added. Some environmental initiatives included electric vehicles such as one of the first electric fire trucks in the nation, one of the first electric garbage trucks in the nation. These initiatives have capital and operational costs. The good news is that these are investments.
Downtown Cary Park has been the catalyst for downtown development generating millions of dollars in economic benefit. That is, new businesses and residents generate more tax base which keeps your taxes lower. The electric vehicles save money on fuel costs and after two or three years the additional costs have been recovered. I believe these are good investments in addition to fulfilling a need.
Why did debt service increase? The biggest reason is the sale of a portion of the 2019 GO (General Obligation) bonds. GO bonds, which are voter approved, are debt at the lowest interest rate possible. This is possible because we have the highest rating of all bond rating agencies. A good portion of the 2019 bonds have not been sold yet so that debt has not occurred. The future sales of the remaining portion of the bonds will also increase debt service.
Why was money from the general fund spent? It was a strategic move to use extra reserves rather than debt. It should be noted that our General Fund balance is well above requirements, and we want to keep it that way because it helps keep our highest rating with the bond rating agencies. So, we need to replenish the General Fund.
What is the issue with sales tax revenue? Since Covid, sales tax revenue has been increasing by 8% to 9% annually. Last year, however, the increase was less than 1%. This is significant since sales tax is the second largest revenue source at 21.1%. Our biggest source of revenue is property tax at 59%.
2024 Parks Bond
The 2024 parks bond was about funding parks for the next ten to fifteen years. Since the bond was close to property revaluation and the new tax rate, a lot of people viewed this as a funding question for now. I believe that is one of the main reasons the bond failed.
It is important to understand that the council and the staff heard everyone loud and clear about the bonds. We have stopped all bond projects due to lack of funding. While I can’t predict what future council will do, I believe some of them, like the center at South Hills, will never happen. What does this mean? The following is my best guestimate:
The Center
The community center, senior center, and competitive space will not be built. The $75 million promised by Wake County will be rescinded. The $30 million annual increase in economic benefit, which would help keep our taxes low, will not happen.
Mills Park Community Center
This community center and senior center project has also been stopped. We have been planning on having a community center and senior center at this location for about a decade. IMHO, it would be almost another decade IF it was ever built. Why? Historically bonds are at least five years apart. With large projects taking two years of planning/design and two years of construction that is another four years added to the five years IF everything is on schedule.
It is important to understand that we will now need to spend significant resources to maintain our existing community and senior centers, which are all over twenty years old. IMHO, expanding programs will be difficult due to lack of space. A future bond to build a center would be a question for a future council.
Tennis and Pickleball Expansion
I don’t believe the pickleball courts will be built at the tennis center. That expansion would have allowed more recreational opportunities for sports in high demand and more professional tennis and pickleball tournaments. This is a loss of millions of dollars in economic benefit, which again keeps our taxes low. The NC Tennis Hall of Fame will probably not be located here.
Walnut Street Greenway
The Walnut Creek Greenway from downtown to Fenton, to WakeMed Soccer Park, Triangle Aquatic Center, and the new South Hills redevelopment has been stopped. If future councils decide to do this, it might have to be funded with another bond. Again, I think that is years away. Not connecting all these destinations is a huge, missed opportunity not only for recreation but for quality of life.
Nature Park Master Plan
Cary has 217 acres of farmland that it is maintaining. Unfortunately, there are no trails, restrooms, or parking. It will be up to a future council to decide what to do with this property. For now, nothing will happen.
Asian Garden Master Plan
This idea of a one-to-two-acre Asian garden is stopped. I doubt it will ever be considered again.
What was this bond vote significant? Even if you don’t use a facility, it creates value for you. Like the 911 center, fire, and police, you may not ever use it. Hopefully, you won’t. But having the best of the best in services enhances the quality of life for everyone in our community. Great municipal services make your property in Cary more valuable.
2019 Bond Projects
Cary has moved into “maintenance mode” in this current period of the fiscal year 2025 budget (which began on July 1, 2024) for the following reasons:
- Unprecedented Construction Cost Climate
- Downward Pressure on Sales Tax Receipts
- A desire by the Town Council to minimize any potential fiscal year 2026 Budget Property Tax Increase
This is causing a pause on the 2019 bond projects. The pause on these projects is not because of the 2024 bond vote. Some of the 2019 bonds have been sold and are reflected in this year’s tax rate, the remainder of the bond sales will be paused. Here is a list of remaining projects:
- Carpenter Fire Station Road Widening
- Louis Stephens Drive
- Veterans Freedom Park
- Tryon Road Park
- Walnut Creek Greenway
- Dutchman’s Branch Greenway
- Green Level Church Road Widening
- NC 55 Pedestrian Grade Separation
- O’Kelly Chapel Road Widening
- Action Sports Park
The length of time for the “maintenance period” is currently unknown. Staff are currently re-estimating projects for council reprioritization at our annual meeting in February.
Current Capital Projects
The following is a memo from the town manager about current capital projects:
“To clarify the discussion from last week’s Council Quarterly meeting, all capital projects that are not yet under construction are paused while staff updates cost estimates to reflect escalating construction costs. This pause allows time for the Council to prioritize projects based on current and projected construction costs over the next year.
As mentioned during the meeting, construction cost inflation has outpaced budgets, with costs reaching record highs, including in some cases an escalation of over 200% in the last few years. Staff will re-estimate all active capital projects based on recent construction prices and will apply best estimates of additional potential escalation over the next few years. This information will be prepared for Council evaluation, including a prioritization exercise at the February annual meeting. A similar exercise was done with the Council in 2009 when budgetary pressures and cost escalations were also high.
There are currently 377 active general capital projects within the Downtown, Fire, General Government, PRCR, and Transportation categories. A total of $768 million has been budgeted for these projects. Their current available balance is $265 million.
On the utility side, there are 222 active water and sewer projects with a total budget of $462 million and a combined available balance of $128 million.
Between February and June as part of the annual budget process, our focus will be on refining the capital improvements program to align with the current economic climate while remaining flexible to accommodate future financial and priority changes. Below are examples of projects that have been paused in preparation for the February discussion. These were shared during last week’s Quarterly meeting.
Sidewalks:
Chatham Street 
Small Segments
Old Apex Rd west of W Chatham Roundabout (Bid Rejected 11/14/2024)
Old Apex Road north of Young Landing Ct
Louis Stephens Drive
Green Level Church Rd Streetside Trail
Jenks Carpenter Rd Streetside Trail
Roberts Road
Norwell Blvd
Johnson St east of Harrison Ave
Johnson St (E) north of Chapel Hill
Sorrell Street
Nottingham Drive
Cary Pkwy (NW) at Sheldon Dr
Highfield Avenue
Maynard Rd north of Chapel Hill
Laura Duncan Road
Cary Parkway (NW) at Norwell
Chatham Street
Lake Pine Drive (Phase 1)
Ryan Road
Lake Pine Drive (Phase 2)
2019 Bond Projects:
Carpenter Fire Station Road Widening
Louis Stephens Drive
Veterans Freedom Park
Tryon Road Park
Walnut Creek Greenway
Dutchman’s Branch Greenway
Green Level Church Rd Widening
NC55 Pedestrian Grade Separation
O’Kelly Chapel Road Widening
Action Sports Park
Examples of Other Budgeted Capital Projects:
Street Improvements FY25
Optimist Farm Greenway
Lake Grove Dam Maintenance
Cary Tennis Park Improvements
Western Cary Community Facility
Parking Deck Technology
Highcroft Drive Extension
South Hills Community Center
Sidewalks FY25
Downtown Ped Improvements
Mobility Study
Cary Tennis Park Clubhouse Design
We remain focused on preparing for the February Annual Meeting and the FY 2026 budget and will provide you with timely updates as we move forward with our work.”
Mayor’s Mailbox
- Several complaints about the Old Apex rezoning proposal 21-REZ-16.
- A question of whether Mariah Carey was going to visit Cary. (I don’t think so. I heard she has the flu and cancelled the rest of her tour.)
- A complaint about right-of-way and public access to the Black Creek Greenway.
- A complaint about growth (we have been growing at around 2 ½% for 16 consecutive years)
- Requests to support the Greenwood Forest rezoning proposal 24-REZ-07.
- A complaint about the Greenwood Forest rezoning proposal 24-REZ-07.
- A request to support the Green Level Church Road rezoning 22-REZ-06.
- A complaint about an entry in the Cary Christmas Parade (The Cary Jaycees determine who is in the parade not the Town of Cary).
- Several requests to hold a special meeting about “large scale violence targeting minorities in Bangladesh”. (Our focus is the town’s core services. We do not get involved in national and international issues. Those should be addressed by the men and women representing us in Congress.)
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, the Wake County Mayors Association annual banquet, and the Historic Holiday Tour performance.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, December 22nd, 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.
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