City Council on Tuesday approved a number of public improvement projects, including the redevelopment of Stone’s Warehouse in downtown Raleigh.
Following a brief Agency Grantee presentation from the director of the Healing Place, Council turned its attention to the consent agenda. Five items were pulled.
Councilor Maiorano asked for clarification from staff regarding three of those five items. He engaged in a lengthy discussion with staff about the cost of the Hillsborough Street Revitalization Project, which is projected to cost $7 million. After the discussion, City Council approved for a public hearing to be scheduled on February 3 to consider final authorization of the project.
James Borden / Raleigh Public Record
A new roundabout could be coming to the intersection of Dixe Trail and Hillsborough Street
Item 12.1, which concerns the Market Plaza and Exchange Plaza Improvements Project, was also pulled from the consent agenda. Councilor Gaylord asked staff about the public process and design for the project, which was awarded to the lowest bidder. City Council decided to hold the item for two weeks until the next Council session.
The rest of the consent agenda items were approved.
Under the Report and Recommendation of the City Manager, Council established budget work sessions to be held on February 16, March 19, and April 2, and received information about the Oberlin Road Streetscape Plan.
The Streetscape Plan aims to make improvements to sidewalk connections, spot safety treatments, and utilities. There will be construction on the full streetscape, the tree well, and paved verge, among others. The first phase will cost $626,000 and the second phase $2.2 million.
Council was recommended by staff to adopt the streetscape plan and to direct staff to start the design process. Staff also recommended that Council authorize a budget transfer in the amount of $580,000.
Councilors Baldwin and Crowder asked staff questions about the boundary lines for the project and whether those boundary lines would affect transportation to and from the area. A vote was taken to approve the project, and it passed 6-1, with Councilor Crowder voting ‘no.’
Under the Report and Recommendation of the Raleigh Historic Development Commission, two properties were submitted for the Historic Landmark designation. Council voted to send the applications of Leonard Medical Hospital and Leonard Medical School to the governing bodies for analysis and recommendation.
The subject of much discussion in the Budget and Economic Development Committee, the redevelopment of Stone’s Warehouse was presented to Council. After briefly going over the details of the item, Councilor Weeks said that it needed to be held for two weeks to allow for negotiations about the relocation of Rex Healthcare. The motion was approved.
Jennifer Wig / Raleigh Public Record
Stone\’s Warehouse on Davie Street.
The item establishing a seventh administrative alternate for tree conservation areas was referred to a City Council work session due to the complexity of the subject matter.
