CARY LAUNCHES MAJOR DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVES

CARY, NC – With their appropriation of over $3.7 million, the Cary Town Council put into motion a major Initiative to significantly improve the look of downtown streets and sidewalks with a top-to-bottom overhaul including street trees and plantings, lighting, street furniture, crosswalks, roundabouts, gateways, public art, and the creation of a new Town Square. The money will be used to design a six-phase construction project as well as pay for the first construction phase, which could begin as early as late 2007. Funding was also included to hire an artist to integrate a public art component into the streetscape design. Consultants currently estimate total project construction costs to be around $20 million.

In addition to the $3.7 million for streetscapes, the Council formally adopted the Town Center Civic and Cultural Arts Study. They directed staff to create an RFP to hire a consulting team to develop the final cultural arts program and renovation plan for old Cary Elementary School for which $1.1 million funding was appropriated in this year’s budget. To begin implementation of the cultural arts district, Council directed staff to begin acquiring land for the Town Center Park , a future new downtown arts facility, and supporting arts facilities.

These decisions to begin implementation of an exciting vision for downtown came Tuesday, July 25 during a special work session after nearly a year of work that included significant public input that led to the specific recommendations adopted by the Council during the meeting.

“This is a bold initiative demonstrating our strong commitment to enhancing the heart of our community,” said Mayor Ernie McAlister.

Identified in 2004 as one of the six action items needed to implement Cary ’s 2001 Town Center Area Plan, the Streetscape Master Plan incorporates pedestrian and bicycle-friendly initiatives designed to spur private investment in and public enjoyment of a 15-block area centered at the intersection of Academy and Chatham streets.

Guiding principles used in developing the Streetscape Master Plan include:
– Wide Sidewalks
– Consistent and Distinctive Streetscape Elements
– Public Art
– Pedestrian Orientation
– Public Involvement, Property Rights Protection
– Continued Private Reinvestments

The Town Center Park and the Cultural Arts Center were also identified as key implementation steps in the Town Center Area Plan.

Elements for the Civic and Cultural Arts District include:
– Conversion of Old Cary Elementary school into Community Arts Center
– A new performing and visual arts facility
– Digital media arts center
– Sculpture Park
– Arts incubator
– Mixed use development
– Town Square Park
– Parking structures

For more, including full-color images of recommended elements, visit the Town Center Streetscape page of the Current Projects section of www.townofcary.org. More on the Town Center Civic and Cultural Arts Study is also available at www.townofcary.org.

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Primary Contacts

Juliet Andes, Principal Planner, (919) 462-2008
Mary Henderson, Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Resources Director, (919) 469-4061
April R. Little, Deputy Public Information Officer, (919) 481-5091
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 393-4383 (pager)