September 29th Newsletter
Hello,
RaleighForward hosted a Happy Hour on Wednesday, September 25. Many City Council candidates attended and had the opportunity to introduce themselves and mingled with attendees.
REMINDER: Because there are so many events demanding the attention of City Council candidates, RaleighForward is co-hosting another Candidate Happy Hour with WakeUp Wake County on October 17. We want to celebrate the start of early voting and to give all candidates another opportunity to meet with RaleighForward supporters. Location and time will be announced soon.
The News & Observer published an Op-Ed on September 16, 2024, by Eric Braun emphasizing the importance of maintaining Raleigh’s Missing Middle ordinance. Here is a link to the publication: Raleigh reforms fill housing's 'missing middle.' If you don’t have an N&O subscription, read it here.
RaleighForward was also asked to submit a letter supporting a grant application for funds from the Federal Government under the “Reconnecting Communities Pilot Project.” The goal is to acquire funds to create a robust multimodal connection between downtown and Dix Park. The letter of support submitted by RaleighForward is available here.
Articles of interest:
Civic participation is the defining challenge of our time.
Minneapolis passes ordinance to make it easier to convert office buildings to residential uses, including suspending inclusionary housing requirement, CBS News reports.
Container homes aim to provide affordable housing options.
The Richmond Fed surveyed housing stakeholders and found a few common themes associated with the housing crisis.
Liberal NIMBYs are Helping Red States, Darrell Owens writes.
Why this affordable housing program is failing many poor families, from USA Today.
Unlocking the hidden power of zoning, for good or bad, via Bloomberg.
To build a happier city, design for density, from Bloomberg.
Public opinion polling on homelessness in America.
US housing market to get more affordable amid record apartment-building, Business Insider reports.
Reports and Data Analytics:
North Carolina’s Economic Snapshot from the Richmond Fed.
Items of interest in the week ahead:
Council meets on October 1, 2024. Similar to other recent meetings, Council’s agenda is fairly light as the election approaches.
Due to an advertising error, all public hearings on the agenda for October 1 must be advertised again.
Planning Commission is reporting out its recommendation on a Comprehensive Plan amendment related to the closure of a portion of South Street due to relocating the Red Had Amphitheatre. Council voted 6-0 on September 17 to close a portion of South Street. Staff is now asking Council to change the Comprehensive Plan policies to align with Council’s prior vote closing a portion of South Street. Planning Commission voted 5-4 to recommend against the amendment. For the agenda materials, click here.