MenuDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens Expansion
This project is being led by: Parks and Recreation
Project Team
McNeely Associates, PA
Dan Huffman Architecture, PA
Lysaght & Associates
Progressive Design Collaborative
The Wooten Company
Current Activity
Citizen Advisory Council (CAC) District: South Central
The Parks and Recreation Department will present, for public comment and Parks Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board review, the draft schematic design for the expanded Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens at the June meeting of the Parks Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board on Thursday, June 20 at 5:30pm at the Jaycee Park Module (2405 Wade Avenue).
The Parks Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board agenda can be found here.
Status
Design Phase
History and Background
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens was originally constructed in 1990 through the efforts of a number of park advocates including the Martin Luther King Committee. In 2003, the City acquired 1.67 acres of vacant land adjacent to the park for the purpose of expanding the existing Memorial Gardens. The additional amenities are intended to make the park more user and family-friendly through better meeting the needs of the visiting public, including school children, college students and elderly citizens. In 2008, Community Advocates for Parks in Southeast Raleigh (CAPSR), on behalf of the Martin Luther King Committee, submitted a request to City Council to expand and upgrade the Memorial Gardens. Subsequently, City Council directed staff to consider the expansion project during budget deliberation. The adopted 2012 (fiscal year) capital improvement program budget includes $10,000 for initial planning fees and expenses with a phased budget planned for future fiscal years.
On December 6, 2011, City Council approved the planning process for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens expansion project, to include the establishment of a Public Leadership Group (PLG), two public input meetings, and the development of a conceptual plan.
The PLG consisted of representatives from the following organizations:
Martin Luther King Committee
South Central Citizens Advisory Council
Saint Augustine's College
Shaw University
Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board
Wake County Public School System
Community Advocates for Parks in Southeast Raleigh
At-large member
On November 6, City Council adopted the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens Master Plan, as recommended by the Parks Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board, and authorized staff to proceed to design phase.
Project Scope
Planning and design for expansion of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens.
Goals and Objectives
Mission Statement:
To honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy and contributions to peace, justice, equality, human dignity, and education by expanding and enhancing the MLK Memorial Gardens , providing a unique historic and educational destination for the citizens of Raleigh, the people of North Carolina and the Nation.
Objectives:
- Enrich the commemorative experience
- Support education opportunities
- Promote community cohesion
- Complement downtown development
- Provide safe, friendly and sustainable leisure environment
- Improve vehicular and pedestrian accessibility
Project Schedule
| Planning and Conceptual Design: | February - November 2012 |
| Design Development and Construction Documents: | 2013 - 2014 |
| Bidding and Construction: | 2014 - 2015* |
*dependent on budget approval
Budget
| Planning Phase: | $10,000 |
| Design and Construction: | $900,000* |
*partially funded/funds planned for future fiscal years
