Those driving downtown will soon have more options for getting around, after City Councilors agreed this week to change some streets from one-way to two-way.
Councilors Tuesday approved the design for the second phase of turning Lenoir and South streets into two-way streets. Portions of each street were converted to two-way streets in 2008. The second phase will complete the conversion.
Jennifer Suarez / Raleigh Public Record
Lenoir Street at Person Street.
The Lenoir Street portion will begin at South Wilmington Street and end at South East Street. The South Street portion will begin at South Saunders Street and also end at South East Street. The estimated cost of the project is about $2.6 million, with about $800,000 being using for installing water mains along the street.
Jones and Lane Streets are also scheduled for two-way conversion later this year at a cost of $1 million.
Councilors Approve Contracts with Downtown Groups
City Councilors Tuesday approved renewing a contract with the Downtown Raleigh Alliance to provide security patrols in the downtown parking decks and lots. The $455,000 contract will be in place until June 30, 2015. The contract includes new parking lots that the city acquired, bringing the total to eight parking decks and six surface lots.
Councilors also renewed a contract with the Hillsborough Street Community Services Corporation, the group that provides services to the area within the Municipal Service District. Commercial properties in these districts pay an extra tax that is used toward programs that are intended to benefit the business area, including marketing and communications services, a clean and safe program and district advocacy and administration services. The city expects to collect about $267,000 from the district for these services.
Two Downtown Fireworks Shows Scheduled
Those heading to downtown Raleigh for July 4 celebrations will have two opportunities to catch the fireworks display. There will be two shows running simultaneously starting at 9:30 p.m. One will be held near the performing arts center, and the other near the amphitheater.
Events downtown will last until 11 p.m. to allow the crowds time to disperse without the usual rush out of town.
Karen Tam / Raleigh Public Record
File: Fireworks, as seen from the South Saunders Street area.
Sidewalk and Pedestrian Projects Approved
Councilors have approved the design of sidewalks and other pedestrian improvements for a half-mile stretch of Rock Quarry Road between Bart Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.
Sidewalks will be installed on the northeast side of the road and crosswalk improvements will be made at the MLK Boulevard and South Raleigh Boulevard intersections. A pedestrian refuge median will be constructed at the Rock Quarry Road and South Raleigh Boulevard intersection. A bus shelter will be installed just north of MLK Boulevard.
Karen Tam / Raleigh Public Record
The estimated cost of the project is $370,000, with funding provided by the 2011 transportation bond.
Councilors also approved the design for a $335,000 sidewalk project along Chapanoke Road between Ileagnes Road and Wilmington Street Service Road.
The project will fill in 1,340 feet of missing sidewalk along both parts of the road and make pedestrian improvements at the Wilmington Street and Chapanoke Road intersection. Crosswalks, signals and pedestrian refuges will be installed at the intersection. Improvements to the existing bus stop at Wilmington Street and South Wilmington Street Service Road will also be made.
Oak City Outreach Center Opens
The Oak City Outreach Center, a temporary location for organizations to provide food and services for Raleigh’s homeless, held its soft opening last weekend. Shanna Overdorf, of the Raleigh/Wake Partnership to End and Prevent Homelessness, said that 764 meals were served. Overdorf said the group plans on requesting capital funding from the city next year so it can build a permanent location within the next three to five years.
The temporary facility is located near the old Salvation Army building across from Moore Square and was opened in response to an outcry from charity organizations who were told they’d be arrested for providing food to the homeless on weekends.
Road Race Approved
Councilors regularly review and approve road races during their meetings. This week, only one race was presented, and it was approved:
Race: City of Oaks Marathon
Location: Begins at Hillsborough Street
Length: 10K, half and full marathons
Date and Time: Sun., Nov. 2 from 7 a.m. Until 1 p.m.
Attendees: 6,000
