The September meeting of Raleigh’s East Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) was held this past Monday evening at Lions Park Community Center on Dennis Avenue.
The meeting was led by Kimberly Izuogu, Co-Vice Chairperson for the East CAC, and Michelle Bandklayder, Raleigh’s Community Specialist for the East CAC.
Below are a few highlights from the meeting for residents who were unable in person.
Meeting Highlights
Community Engagement Report, and Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Report
Christie Jones, Director of the Lions Park Community Center, provided reports on Community Engagement and Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources. She discussed several family-friendly events coming up in our area, each of which is summarized below:
- Escape to Freedom
- Description: In celebration of the 151st anniversary of emancipation, and in partnership with MOJOAA Performing Arts Company, Mordecai Historic Park presents a theatrical experience: Escape to Freedom. This one hour guided tour and performance will lead guests through Mordecai to experience plantation life through the eyes of the enslaved person.
- Ages: All ages
- When: September 21 (6:00pm – 7:15pm, 7:30pm – 8:45pm, & 9:00pm – 10:15pm) and September 22 (6:00pm – 7:15pm, 7:30pm – 8:45pm, & 9:00pm – 10:15pm)
- Where: Mordecai Historic Park
- Cost: $15
- Raleigh Responders Day
- Description: Get to know your local Raleigh responders with a free hands-on experience of all types of vehicles. There will be local crews and their vehicles from emergency, recycling, wildlife, landscaping, construction, and much more.
- Ages: All ages
- When: October 13 (11:00am – 3:00pm)
- Where: Method Road Community Center
- Cost: Free
- Fall Festival
- Description: The Method Road Community Center is hosting its annual Fall Festival. Activities will include carnival games, video gaming, healthy treat bags, and a DJ.
- Ages: 6-11 years
- When: October 26 (5:00pm – 7:00pm)
- Where: Method Road Community Center
- Cost: Free
- Haunted Trolley
- Description: Jump on board the Haunted Trolley for a special late night tour of Downtown Raleigh’s most haunted places.
- Ages: All ages
- When: October 19, 20, 26, & 27
- Where: Mordecai Historic Park
- Cost: $10
- Haunted Mordecai Festival
- Description: Enjoy an afternoon of Halloween themed fun including food, music, games, and crafts. There will be a costume contest for kids up to 16 years old beginning at 1:00pm.
- Ages: All ages
- When: October 27 (1:00pm – 4:00pm)
- Where: Mordecai Historic Park
- Cost: Free
- Haunted Mordecai Lantern Tour
- Description: Some believe that the Mordecai House is the most haunted home in North Carolina. Join us for this nighttime tour of the Mordecai House and find out for sure! Spooky tours are offered only once a year, so don’t miss this chance.
- Ages: All ages
- When: October 27 (5:00pm – 9:30pm)
- Where: Mordecai Historic Park
- Cost: $5
For more information about any of these events, contact Christie Jones at christie.jones@raleighnc.gov.
East Raleigh Crime Report
Raleigh Police Officer Roderick Lee filled in for our regular community police officer, Officer Mario Lopez, and provided a report on the number of crimes that have been reported in the East CAC during the past four months.
Officer Lee reported that overall crime in the East CAC region increased 53% during August and September.
The table below shows a breakdown of the number of specific incidents reported in August and September compared to the previous months of June and July.
East Raleigh Crime Report: September 2018
| Crime | March 28 – July 22 | July 23 – September 16 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assault | 12 | 17 | 42% |
| Burglary/Commercial | 3 | 3 | 0% |
| Burglary/Residential | 11 | 11 | 0% |
| Larceny | 21 | 41 | 95% |
| Larceny From Motor Vehicle | 11 | 18 | 64% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 6 | 8 | 33% |
| Robbery | 6 | 9 | 50% |
| Total | 70 | 107 | 53% |
Source: Raleigh Police Department
Update on Capital Blvd North Corridor Study
John Anagnost, from the City of Raleigh Planning Department, provided a brief update on the Capital Boulevard North Corridor Study, which continues to seek public input to guide investment and development on Capital Boulevard between I-440 and I-540 (pictured below). The city began its study of this five-mile stretch of Capital Boulevard with a “visioning meeting” back in June, and there will be another workshop to solicit public feedback coming up on October 27th.
For questions or more information about the Capital Boulevard North Corridor Study, or to provide your comments on this project, contact John Anagnost at John.Anagnost@raleighnc.gov.
Sewer Maintenance Operations
Manuel Lopez, Head Program Manager for Easement Inspection within the Sewer Maintenance Division of Public Utilities, gave a presentation about sewer maintenance operations and offered some helpful tips for preventing sewage blockages. The following recommendations come directly his presentation:
- Have a certified plumber regularly inspect and maintain your section of the sanitary sewer connection pipe.
- Properly dispose of solids, fats and oils, and grease in a trash can, NOT through the sink, disposal, or toilets.
- Immediately report sewer spills or odors by contacting the call center, available 24 hours a day 7 days a week, at 919-996-4540.
For additional information, check out the City of Raleigh’s Public Utilities Department website.
Raleigh Historic Neighborhoods Commission
Tania G. Tully, Senior Preservation Planner at the Raleigh Urban Design Center, discussed updates to the Raleigh Historic Development Commission’s Architectural Survey, which seeks to identify properties within the city limits that might be eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. The survey is specifically focused on identifying mid-20th century neighborhoods and areas annexed since 2006.
Four neighborhoods within East Raleigh were recently added to the State Study List as potential candidates for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Those neighborhoods are Gatewood, Longview Park, Windsor Park, and Woodcrest.
You can read the full 2017 Architectural Survey Update Report by clicking here.
Other Updates
- Residents attending the meeting voted for, and approved, Brian Kurilla as the new secretary for the East CAC.
- The next East CAC Meeting is scheduled for 7:00pm on Monday November 19, 2018. The meeting is tentatively scheduled to be held at Brookside Market & Pizza, for the annual East Raleigh neighborhood holiday dinner.