Academy Streetscape

The streetscape project includes a number of components:

–  “Rooms” at selected locations on Academy Street
– Modification of the intersection at Academy and Dry – widening the street into the park to provide exclusive right turn lanes onto Academy when coming from Kildaire
– New light pole options (allowing flags and other hanging ornamentation)
– Street tree lighting (up lighting and string lighting in the trees.)
– Benches, with artistic components
– Electrical infrastructure locations (big power distribution boxes (4 ft tall) and smaller pedestals (18” tall)  

Park and Street Benches

Previous to this meeting, council had already given feedback and chose a number of granite benches and the accompanying artwork with a music theme. Some of the benches are shaped like dulcimers, others like violins; I think they will be beautiful. Our goal at this point was to discuss some of the quotes that will be engraved on the benches. The idea proposed was for the quotes to make references to music, dance, singing and song, linking it to our town or state if possible (perhaps by choice of the author) and also to the location.

For example, the dulcimer benches would incorporate quotes from North Carolina poets such as Dr. Maya Angelou and R.R. Richardson.

Overall, I like the concept and idea, and many of the quotes chosen. I had a concern with one of the quotes, however. This one:

“‘Tis God gives skill,
But not without men’s hands: He could not make
Antonio Stradivarious’s violins
Without Antonio.”

My concern with this quote was its mention of God. I am leery of using Public funds to put a quote that mentions God on a public bench. Don’t get me wrong, I like the quote, and I understand that it was hanging in the nearby Violin shop when the artist was scoping locations. But I do believe in the separation of Church and State, and am sensitive to the fact that not all of our citizens would appreciate the expenditure of our taxes on a quote that mentions a God. I suggested another quote – a famous one from William Shakespeare,

“If music be the food of love, play on”

But I was outvoted. Moving on.

Our Park Fountain

The next section covered the fountain – the iconic entry to our Downtown Park.  Presented with sketches and options associated with the fountain, Council was unanimous in our praise of the design – simple, yet elegant. We decided on adding an additional water pump, to provide options for water usage, asked staff for additional costs for lighting, and turned down additions of adding bronze to the bowl and bronze columns. I cannot wait for this fountain to be constructed, and for the first wedding pictures to be taken in front of it. It will be stunning!

Next steps

After staff completes right of way acquisition for the streetscape, we will soon see things happening downtown.  Please be patient as construction begins, and detours are added to allow for the work to move forward.  Here is the timeline:

November 2014 – Design complete

Spring 2015 – Begin construction

Summer 2016 – End construction

As always, thanks for listening and please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns.

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Pictures from our Town of Cary materials presented at the work session.

PROPOSED ORDINANCE

Last council meeting, staff brought forward an ordinance to change the “rules” regarding the use of these lights around town.  The ordinance change that was originally proposed, and unanimously recommended by the Planning and Zoning board:

1. Removed the restriction of lights in only the Downtown Cary Town Center and allowed lights across town.
2. Removed the “twinkle type lights”
3. Allowed accenting of lights along rooflines and the perimeter of outdoor areas.

I liked the proposed ordinance the way it was written, but 5 of the 7 council members disagree with me.  (Thanks Don!)

NEW Ordinance

The NEW ordinance to be discussed/approved tomorrow makes these changes:

1. Only allows these types of lights Downtown and in Mixed Use Overly Zoning Districts
2. Only allows them in landscaping (not on rooflines) or other places,
3. And only allows perimeter down-lighting that is shielded and only for sales areas

I like Lights

I’ve seen string lights tastefully used by our small businesses across the town to provide indirect, beautiful outdoor lighting at restaurants and other businesses with outdoor seating.

Folks enjoy dinner outside at Ashworth Village or Bosphorus– where the ambience is certainly set by the beautiful outdoor string lights.

I can’t imagine a summer evening at Goodberry’s without the tree lights.  (I’m checking to see if BOTH Goodberry’s are in Mixed Use Overlay districts.) 

I don’t feel it’s fair to limit the use of these lights to businesses and restaurants that are Downtown or in a Mixed Use Overlay District.  I’d like to be fair to all our businesses, and apply an ordinance equitably across the town.

But, let’s see how tomorrow goes.

As always, thanks for listening and please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns.

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Featured photo by Memicat