Informative blog written by Phyllis Brookshire with Allen Tate Company reposted by Phyllis Wolborsky & The Wolborsky Group 

The Future of Raleigh, N.C.

Posted: 10 Oct 2011 08:10 AM PDT

Raleigh, North CarolinaBusinessweek.com recognized Raleigh as America’s Best City a couple of weeks ago. At a recent Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce meeting I attended, we all celebrated the accolade and thanked those leaders both in the public and private sector for all they had contributed to make this ranking possible.

The ranking was based on metrics like school performance, green space and cultural amenities.

Here is how Raleigh ranked:

  • Percent of population with bachelor’s degree: 47.5
  • Percent of population under poverty level: 13.9
  • Median household income: $53,370
  • Violent crime rate: 492.9 (per thousand people)
  • Property crime rate: 3,403.2 (per thousand people)
  • School score: 74.4 (ranking from greatschools.org)
  • Pro sports teams: 1
  • Foreclosure rate: .0056
  • Percent Unemployment: 6.9
  • Park acres per 1,000 residents: 30.8
  • Bars: 110
  • Restaurants: 867
  • Museums: 51
  • Colleges: 10
  • Libraries: 18
  • Air Quality Index: 83

After our celebration, our attention turned to the future. How are we going to keep this ranking?  At Wake County’s Oct. 11 election, a new mayor will be elected which will certainly impact our future. But there is also an important transportation and housing bond vote that will be critical to what the city can accomplish in the coming years.

$40 million in transportation bonds will be used to:

  • Resurface streets and repair potholes.
  • Build and repair sidewalks.
  • Improve bus stops, shelters, benches and transit stations.
  • Create more bike lanes, giving commuters another option for safe transit.
  • Widen roads and plan new corridors, making it easier and faster to get from place to place.

$16 million in housing bonds will be used to:

  • Help homeowners continue to repair their homes after the April tornado.
  • Revitalize neighborhoods and preserve historic architecture.
  • Build housing for seniors, families and persons with disabilities through public-private partnerships.
  • Make homeownership possible for first-time buyers like young professionals, fire fighters, police officers and teachers.

This bond is important to the future of Raleigh. I urge all Wake County residents to vote YES for the bonds on Oct. 11. You can find more information at www.raleighbonds.com.

By Phyllis Brookshire