The global economic down turn is being felt in Raleigh. That is why the City needs to respond with action and courage. That was the message delivered today in Mayor Charles Meeker’s 2010 state-of-the-City address in the Raleigh Convention Center.
Now is the time to lead, he said, not stagnate in the sluggish wake of this recession. Now is the time to move on the $140 million Clarence Lightner Public Safety Center, he continued, to take advantage of lower interest rates and construction cost, while making certain that the Capital City has the public safety facilities it needs to maintain Raleigh’s status as a leading U.S. city well into the 21st century. A vote by the Raleigh City Council on the proposed public safety center at its Tuesday meeting is anticipated.
Mayor Meeker said that the current fiscal year’s operating budget reduced spending by nearly $2 million and cut 85 positions. Most importantly, he said, the budget does not reduce public safety spending and it maintains the City’s high standards of fiscal planning, management, control and reserves expected from the AAA quality credit rating Raleigh has.
The City’s current Capital Improvement Program is 18 percent less than the previous year’s program. However, the mayor pointed out, that reduction does not mean the City is standing still on necessary improvements. He pointed to the May ground breaking for the Hillsborough Street Roundabouts Project. The $9.22 million is designed to revitalize the corridor and improve pedestrian access for the street that runs along North Carolina State University’s main campus. The improvements are on schedule to be completed in September. Mayor Meeker also referred to the $21 million transit operations center the City broke ground on in October. The project is receiving $11.6 million from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act and will help to improve transit service throughout Raleigh for decades to come, he said.
Prepared by:
Jayne Kirkpatrick
Director
Public Affairs Department
For More Information Contact:
City Council Office
Public Affairs Department
222 W. Hargett St., Room 209
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-996-3050
