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Community Corner

🌱 City Council Votes Recapped + Wake School Rezoning Plan Revealed

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Raleigh.

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Christina Fullford, Neighbor
(Patch Media)

Happy Fall Equinox Raleigh!

Bust out the pumpkins and cinnamon brooms, it's fall! Fall is obviously the best time to fall in love with Raleigh as well! There is so much happening that will make you fall in love with our incredible city, check out details below on:

  • Raleigh's greenspace linked to improved quality of life and less crime
  • The Pancake and Booze Art Show returns
  • Raleigh's social district paving the way for more North Carolina cities to implement their own

But first, today's weather:

A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 92 Low: 55.

🏡 Attention, real estate pros in Raleigh! We're now offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for an agent interested in attracting local clients and standing apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top stories today in Raleigh:

  1. The Raleigh City Council voted 6-1 to approve a new rezoning request for the location of the historic Seaboard Station. City Council members voted to allow developers to build up to 20 stories on the condition that they preserve the current train depot that is home to Logan's Garden Shop. Turnbridge Equities has also been given the option to relocate the station, but if they choose not to, they must preserve at least 50% of the building's front. If Turnbridge opts to remove the building entirely, they will only be permitted to construct up to 7 stories. (abc11, CBS17, WRAL) The council also approved the downtown speed limit reduction from 35mph to 25mph. (CBS17, WRAL) City of Raleigh City Council meeting recap via Facebook. The Garner Town Council also approved plans on Tuesday to create a new public safety station. (CBS17)
  2. Owners of the Berkeley Café posted on social media that the venues future is uncertain amidst rezoning. The post says they are not closing, but the building is in the process of being rezoned. A rezoning proposal being considered notes that "the building is a contributing structure to the National Register Depot Historic District," but the current zoning would allow for redevelopment of the site. The Berkeley is holding their final night of music on Friday, November 11 until the space's future is decided. (Shop Local Raleigh Instagram, WRAL) Downtown Raleigh could be getting a new concert and entertainment venue as Kane Realty and AEG Presents event management announced that they signed a lease for a 70,000 square-foot venue as part of the Downtown South entertainment district planned for the area. (CBS17, WRAL)
  3. Nearly 1 in 5 Wake County schools are up for some reassignment next year. Wake County Public School System officials unveiled their first draft of the coming year's enrollment and want public feedback. Current students who would be rezoned could remain at their current school if they are able to provide their own transportation. No new schools are set to open next year and therefore less schools are impacted than last year's proposal, but a few dozen students at impacted schools will be impacted. There will be four virtual public information sessions and the public can submit comment until October 7. (WCPSS, WRAL) Wake County schools are still reporting teacher and bus driver vacancies, above where they were last fall. (WRAL)
  4. Both chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly have reconvened as of September 20 for a three-day session. Before adjournment on July 1, a joint resolution scheduled four sessions before the November 8 election. During the short sessions, the legislature is only allowed to discuss unfinished business, general orders, or override vetoes from Governor Cooper. (The Daily Tarheel)
  5. WakeTech has released plans for a new campus in Apex, but its fate will be determined by a November ballot bond. The new location would replace the space that the college is leasing in Cary, but is contingent on voters passing the $353.2 million Wake Tech workforce bond initiative. WakeTech's president says the growth in the area is driving the need for expansion. (CBS17, WakeTech)
  6. A Study recently published in CITIES: The International Journal of Urban Policy and Planning has found that urban green spaces are linked to a lower crime risk in major cities across the United States. The study included Charlotte, Raleigh, and Durham and found that green spaces displayed a strong and consistent inverse relationship with violent and property crime risk. The study also found that poorly maintained green spaces can "communicate a lack of oversight and attract criminal activities." (INDY Week)

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Today in Raleigh:

Friday in Raleigh:

From my notebook:

  • It's the Fall Equinox, the official start of fall! This is Raleigh has put together a list of the 27 best Fall Festivals and Events to enjoy this year!
  • WRAL investigates looked into North Carolina universities usage of social media tracking, and found seven schools utilized the technology, including North Carolina State University. (WRAL)
  • Raleigh implemented its first pilot social district a month ago, and more North Carolina cities are considering enacting their own. (CBS17)
  • The public comment period for the Wake Transit Community Engagement Policy update ends in nine days. (GoTriangle Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— CJ Fullford

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Raleigh Daily? Contact me at raleigh@patch.com

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