Brian Horton Quartet Comes to Cary
Cary, N.C. – North Carolina’s own Brian Horton, composer, saxophonist, producer and studio engineer, is coming to Cary’s Sertoma Amphitheater July 13.
Harold’s Blog: Parkside Town Commons and More
Cary, NC – This week was a holiday week as our nation celebrated its independence. In addition to the Independence celebration at Booth amphitheater, the week consisted of several meetings.
Monday – Neighborly Agreements
On Monday I traveled to Apex town hall to meet with officials about potential service agreements related to water and sewer.
There are times when both towns would like to allow proposals to move forward but the closest water and sewer lines are not in our town but are in the adjacent town. The best solution to this problem is to create an Interlocal agreement for a period of time until the municipal’s water and sewer become available.
So the purpose of this meeting was to discuss the pros and cons of these types of agreements. These agreements have occurred in the past and will probably be more frequent in the future.
Tuesday – Parkside Town Commons
Tuesday I met with development representatives for the Parkside Town Commons being built at I540 and Highway 55.
This project is similar in size to the Park West shopping center in Morrisville. It will have more than 950,000 square feet of mixed-use development on 106.42 Acres. It will also have 375 residential units with 573,495 square feet of non-residential.
By comparison Morrisville’s Park West Shopping Center is on 94.785 Acres and at build out will have 321 residential units with 885,000-895,000 square feet of non-residential.
Phases 1 and 2 of Parkside Town Commons (all but the residential component) should open by late next year. The project will incorporate a main street shopping district anchored by “big box” tenants, as well as retail shops, office and entertainment including a movie theater.
The concerns are about a railroad crossing at O’Kelly Chapel Road that developers will be extending. NCDOT Rail requires two to three rail crossings to be closed for every one opened.
In the bond referendum last fall Cary voters approved a grade separated crossing for Morrisville Carpenter Road which should eventually address the issue of opening a crossing at O’Kelly Chapel Road.
Wednesday – Faiths
Wednesday I had two meetings. My first meeting was with a local pastor who visits me a few times a year to see how I am doing and to pray for me. God bless him and his congregation for all they do in our community.
My second meeting on Wednesday was related to development interest in the area near the Hindu Temple on Highway 54. The expressed interest was in a mixed use development along with a medium density residential development.
Thursday – July 4th in Cary
Thursday I had the pleasure to attend the 4th of July celebration and Booth Amphitheater. We were all treated to great performances from the Cary Town Band and then the NC Symphony.
Before the symphony I gave welcoming remarks and introduced scouts who led all of us in the pledge of allegiance. The fireworks show began at 9:20 and was fantastic as usual.
Emails from Staff
Roundabout 5k
In emails from staff this week an update on the downtown roundabouts stated that the concrete has been poured and they should be open by late this week. A press release was more conservative and had the roundabouts being completed by the week of July 22nd.
The town will celebrate the opening of the downtown roundabouts along Chatham Street by hosting the Roundabout Cary 5K on July 27th. It will be a charity run to benefit the Town’s Relief for Recreation Scholarship Fund.
Along the race route, runners will go around both roundabouts and be able to see many results from the Town’s ongoing revitalization efforts: The Cary movie theater (opening 2013), the James Jones House (under reconstruction), the Downtown Cary Farmers Market, the Cary Arts Center, and the Downtown Performance Green. For more info, visit Roundabout Cary 5K.
Municipal Tax Rates in Wake
Town staff also sent out information about municipal tax rates in Wake County. Cary continues to have the lowest tax rate in Wake County. Here are the tax rates in order from lowest to highest:
- Cary .3500
- Raleigh .3826
- Fuquay-Varina .3850
- Apex .3900
- Morrisville .3900
- Knightdale .4300
- Holly Springs .4350
- Rolesville .4400
- Garner .4900
- Wendell .4900
- Wake Forest .5100
- Zebulon .5250
Plans Under Review
In other emails from staff the following plans were entered in June as currently under review:
- A 2,372sf expansion of Crossroads Quicklane building on Piney Plains
- Parkside Commons 148,965sf of commercial development on Highway 55.
- BayOak greenway trail at Weatherfield townhomes.
- 12 townhomes at Weatherfield Townhomes on Havensite Court.
Emails from Citizens
Emails from citizens included a threat of legal action because of an incident with his neighbor, requests to fund Cary Creative Center (we did this at our June meeting), requests not to approve a rezoning, and several requests to attend and speak at events.
Next week will include several meetings and a work session on updating council about the Imagine Cary process.
Get in Touch
Well that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday July 14th. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts those are not the best means of communications with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@townofcary.org and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.
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From the blog of Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht. Photo by Brian Speice.
Cary Pictures: July 4th at Booth Amphitheatre
Cary, NC – We sent our talented photo intern Brian Speice to get some Cary Pictures on July 4th at Booth Amphitheatre. Independence Day never looked so good. Read more
Weekend in Cary: July 4 – 7, 2013
Cary, NC – It’s a lazy kind of mid-summer weekend in Cary, tagged onto the July 4th holiday. But still, this is Cary, with a handful of world-class events to keep those not otherwise occupied amused and entertained. Read more
Gettysburg: Photos from the 150th Anniversary
Cary, NC – My friend Maurice Ungaro is a Civil War reenactor. He’s part of the Confederate 10th South Carolina regiment. As a history nut, I was thrilled when he sent back pictures from the biggest reenactment of the decade – the 150th anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg.
The Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863, was the turning point in the Civil War. Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s offensive into the North through Pennsylvania would be turned back. The Confederacy would never again threaten Union territory, slowly collapsing into utter ruin and defeat.
Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War – historians estimate the two armies suffered between 46,000 and 51,000 casualties. According to Wikipedia, Nearly a third of Lee’s general officers were killed, wounded, or captured.
Reenactment
Reenactments are part of a movement called “living history.” Ungaro’s SC battalion participated in 5 reenactments over the course of the weekend at Gettysburg, including Pickett’s charge.
“We all received cards that told us what to do on the battlefield,” Ungaro said. “You get shot at the creek or you die on the approach to the hill, that kind of thing. I got to go all the way to the top and see the battle from the eyes of the Union soldiers.”
“Smoke was drifting across the battlefield,” Ungaro said. “Confederate dead everywhere. Behind me, a band was playing Battle Cry of Freedom. It really brought me to tears. All I could think of was the bravery of the soldiers and the futility of it all.”
150th Anniversary
This week, tens of thousands of visitors and reenactors have been descending on the small town in southeastern Pennsylvania, much like the invasion of 1863, but with cameras and a sense of history.
Enjoy these pictures from behind the lines at the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.
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All photos courtesy of Maurice Ungaro, pictured above. During the day, you’ll find him at the Fiat studio in Cary.
Cary Mayor’s Blog: July 1, 2013
Cary, NC – This was a busy week in Cary that included a long budget related meeting and a regularly scheduled council meeting.
Read more
July 4th in Cary and Beyond
Cary, NC – Music, fireworks and ole time family fun, that’s what’s on tap for July 4th in Cary, NC and across the Triangle.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Wind Down Wednesday – 6pm – 9pm with area band Black & Blue in Waverly Place’s Promenade area. Part of the free family-friendly summer concert series. There’s a playground for the kids and carts set up selling beverages and food. Restaurants line the area with open air cafe dining that looks out on the action.
Independence Eve at Sertoma – Bond Park, 6:30 p.m. Performance by the Applause! Cary Youth Theatre touring troupe at 6:30 p.m. and the Cary Town Band at 7:30 p.m.
July 4th Celebration at Bond Park
The fun starts at 7:30 AM with a fishing tournament for all ages.
At 10:30 AM, there’s the Parade in the Park. Come at 10:0 and decorate your bike, trike, stroller, wagon or stroller.
At 10:45 a.m. there’s a Canine Talent Show.
And at 11:15, family contests including donut eating, Lakeside Olympics, Watermelon Eating, Seed Spitting, Water Balloon Toss and Sidewalk Decorating.
More Info: Fourth of July in Bond Park
July 4th at Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Gates open at 3 PM for the July 4th celebration at Koka Booth in Cary.
50 Foot Ferris Wheel – One highlight of July 4th at KBA will undoubtedly be the 50 foot ferris wheel overlooking Regency Lake. Get there early to avoid a line.
Model Boat Regatta – Courtesy of the Capital Model Boat Club. Starts at 3 PM.
There’s also an Ice Cream Eating Contest sponsored by Lumpy’s Ice Cream, a frozen t-shirt contest, Watermelon eating contest, magician, face painter, and more.
Cary Town Band takes the stage at 5:45 followed by the North Carolina Symphony. It all wraps up with a 4th of July fireworks display, Cary-style.
More Info: Fourth of July at Booth Amphitheatre
Across the Triangle
If you’re up for an adventure across the Triangle, consider some of these July 4th celebrations in the area.
July 4th Pancake Breakfast – Morrisville, Fire Station #1, 8:00 – 10:00 AM. Traditional Independence Day Pancake Breakfast, prepared by the Morrisville Fire Department. More info: Town of Morrisville
Apex Olde Fashioned 4th of July – Downtown Apex, 9am-1pm. Carnival Games, Jugglers, Inflatables, Clowns, Karaoke by Skid Rowe and more! Decorate your non-motorized wheels for Uncle Sam’s Parade of Wheels at noon. More info: Town of Apex
American Tobacco July 4th Celebration – Starts at 5 PM on the lawn in front of the DPAC for 3 hours music, food trucks, zips lines and more. Around 8 PM, the doors open at Durham Bulls Athletic Park (the Bulls vs.Norfolk Tides) for a fireworks extravaganza, Durham-style. More info: American Tobacco on Facebook.
The ‘Works – Fayetteville Street area, Downtown Raleigh, 12 Noon – 1 PM. 6 hours of daytime music, bounce houses, hot dog eating contest, sportbike freestyle riding and fireworks after dark. Raleigh-style. More info: RaleighConvention.com/Works
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Photo: Madeline.
Real Estate: 5 Quick Fixes for Sellers
Cary, NC – As Real Estate Agents, we often get asked “What are some of the best updates or renovations I can make for my home?” Here are 5 Quick Fixes to help your house get that “updated” look. Read more
Weather Changes Outdoor Plans in Cary
Cary, NC – It’s summer and that means thunderstorm and often unpredictable weather here in Cary. Within 10 minutes, various Cary outdoor activities changed dates and venues on several outdoor concerts. Here’s the latest. Read more