Usually News and Observer reporter Josh Shaffer writes good articles. I was a little confused by today’s, though, headlined “After downtown’s decade, what will next mayor do?” What struck me as odd is that the quotes in the story don’t back up the headline’s premise.
Here’s what Raleigh’s three mayoral candidates have to say. Says Nancy McFarlane:
Investment downtown is incredibly important. We’ve had a billion-and-a-half dollars in private investment downtown. That keeps taxes low. If you look at where we spent most of our money, most of our money is spent up here if you look at what it cost to extend our water lines and sewer lines.
Says Billie Redmond:
The city has spent more money in other parts of the city. What’s most important is where we go next. Give Mayor Meeker credit. He had a vision, and he delivered. I think we have some major investments to make in our community in the next 10 years. Other cities would stand in line to have the growth we’re going to experience. I do think the No. 1 thing is the public safety center, obviously on a different scale.
Says Randall Williams:
In the 1990s and early 2000s, the issues were always kind of neighborhoods vs. developers. I think we fought those wars. The next thing was downtown vs. the suburbs. I think those are over. I believe the next real issue is Raleigh as opposed to Boston or California for jobs. We will change our focus away from internal conflict to realizing that a rising tide floats all boats.
So, exactly none of the candidates for mayor think the investment in downtown Raleigh was a bad thing. They all credit the investment the city’s made in it’s downtown. Two even point out that the outside-the-Beltline areas received more investment.
In reality, neighborhoods outside of the Beltline have gotten more investment than downtown. In my three years as a Parks board member, there have been far more park and facility dedications outside of the Beltline than inside the Beltline. One quarter of Raleigh’s transportation bond is for repaving efforts – most of which will take place outside the Beltline. Meeker himself mentions the Falls of the Neuse widening project – a huge undertaking and investment. Yes, the convention center got built through Meeker’s efforts (among many others), but even it was a city-county partnership with most of the funding coming from hotels and restaurants. If anything, Raleigh’s downtown is getting the short shrift when it comes to public investment.
Shaffer’s article ends on a bizarre note as well, suggesting that Raleigh’s “portrait” in the national media might become something other than the downtown skyline. Do what now? Raleigh’s skyline is one of the most unique things about the city! What would possibly take its place? A faceless mall?
I hope we can put this tired, downtown vs. outskirts argument to bed now.