...you see something else that leaves you shaking your head.
When I walked out to the curb this morning to put some additional items into my green garbage can before the collection truck arrived, I noticed a blue pick-up truck driving slowly down Center Street and making a left turn onto the other block of my street. The driver's hand was extended out the open window, holding the leash of a dog who was running down the middle of the street alongside the truck. For the dog's sake, I certainly hope they did not encounter another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction...
Oh well, I thought the supposed benefit of walking a dog was for both the dog and its owner to get exercise.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
No weekly schedule for a change
This is the only week I can think of that I have no official functions on my schedule. However, that does NOT mean I'm having a leisurely week by any stretch of the imagination. I've been using this time to tackle some of those long-delayed household tasks that I have not had time to touch until now. I spent yesterday and today taking down and putting away the Christmas tree and outdoor lights plus doing the annual "go through all the closets" routine for the last minute trip to donate outgrown/no longer worn clothing to Goodwill. Plus I've made a good dent in the pile of accumulated reports and memos that were in my "to read later" stack.
The rest of the week is going to be busy (and probably stressful). One of our sons is going to help us tackle the dreaded do-it-yourself "re-do the main bathroom" project. What began as a simple repair of a spot of water-rotted area of the floor and floor tile has mushroomed into a "panel the walls, put in a new vanity and counter-top, mirror, lights, etc." The real test will be if my husband and I are still on speaking terms when the project is complete! {smile}
Hopefully I'll even be able to finish the Christmas motif afghan I have been crocheting that I didn't finish in time for the holiday (but maybe it will be ready for next year).
Next week is shaping up to be an extremely busy one so I'd better get as many of these chores completed as I can for now.
The rest of the week is going to be busy (and probably stressful). One of our sons is going to help us tackle the dreaded do-it-yourself "re-do the main bathroom" project. What began as a simple repair of a spot of water-rotted area of the floor and floor tile has mushroomed into a "panel the walls, put in a new vanity and counter-top, mirror, lights, etc." The real test will be if my husband and I are still on speaking terms when the project is complete! {smile}
Hopefully I'll even be able to finish the Christmas motif afghan I have been crocheting that I didn't finish in time for the holiday (but maybe it will be ready for next year).
Next week is shaping up to be an extremely busy one so I'd better get as many of these chores completed as I can for now.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Kammie's first sleepover
Look what I found under my Christmas tree this evening!
My sister Martha and her husband Tom who live in Tennessee visited this evening, and all my sons and their families came by to say "hi" to their aunt. That included Miss Kamberleigh who has a sweet disposition and brightened the whole evening by smiling and cooing at everyone who came near her.
I hope that sweet disposition lasts a long time -- I agreed to keep her overnight, her first sleepover at Grammy's house. So far, so good!
My sister Martha and her husband Tom who live in Tennessee visited this evening, and all my sons and their families came by to say "hi" to their aunt. That included Miss Kamberleigh who has a sweet disposition and brightened the whole evening by smiling and cooing at everyone who came near her.I hope that sweet disposition lasts a long time -- I agreed to keep her overnight, her first sleepover at Grammy's house. So far, so good!
Friday, December 22, 2006
Consensus reached for SCAT fares?
I asked GDOT director Jim Westmoreland about last night's GTA board meeting and if they acted on my proposal/city council's recommendation to reduce the SCAT fares to the same rate as the GTA regular fixed-route fares ($1.10 per ride beginning January 1, 2007). He shared wonderful news as revealed in the following excerpts from his response:
Yes, the GTA Board did move forward on this item last night and...I believe it went okay and the outcome was very good. CAN-DO [Note: the advocacy organization formed by SCAT riders] presented the following proposal: they supported the $1.10/trip base fare and recommended the GTA Board consider establishing three slightly discounted multi-ride pass options (i.e., $.10 less per trip) 10 trips - $10, 20 trips - $20, and 40 trips - $40.If the GTA Board adopts this revised proposal at their January 23, 2007 meeting, the new SCAT fares will take effect on February 1, 2007. It has been a painful struggle to reach this point, but I am hopeful we finally have an equitable plan that will address the needs of the disabled (or as they prefer to say, the enabled) while controlling escalating expenses and keeping costs within the adopted budget. Mission accomplished -- a win-win for all!
Based on the options before them, the GTA Board considered and adopted the following proposal for future advertising and consideration on 1/23/07: $1.10/trip base fare and 10 trip pass - $10, 40 trip pass - $40 with subsequent fare/pass changes over the next three years. So unless CAN-DO changes their proposal/position on this...I think this item may finally be resolved.
In closing, continued thanks to you, Florence, and Mary Lou [Zimmerman, chair of the GTA board] for your excellent work and leadership on this item.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Ability to comment
I've noticed a distinct drop-off in the number of comments submitted to this blog since I no longer enable anonymous comments. This situation may be caused in part by not knowing how to sign up -- a number of people have inquired about how to register in order to be able to submit comments.
Easy -- just establish a free Google account at https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount
All you have to do is provide your current email address and a password and you will be all set. Happy commenting!
Easy -- just establish a free Google account at https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount
All you have to do is provide your current email address and a password and you will be all set. Happy commenting!
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
The Rhino goofs again
The article in last week's edition of The Rhinoceros Times alleging that City Manager Mitchell Johnson wrongfully authorized additional payments on a city construction contract was erroneous and did a great disservice to both Mitch, the City Council, and the citizens of Greensboro. A portion of Tuesday night's meeting was taken up (at the 2-hour 16-minute point in the meeting) while Mitch explained what really happened and refuted the allegation with the facts. It's so unprofessional that the reporter did not even bother to check with Mitch or anyone else on the city staff who could have provided the correct information and avoided this latest reporting fiasco.
In a nutshell, additional concrete footings and other previously unknown building foundations buried under the parking lot asphalt were discovered as the contractor conducting the demolition of the site proceeded with the work he agreed to do for the original payment stated in the contract. City staff VERBALLY instructed him to perform this additional work not noted in the original contract but failed to file any paperwork or documentation of this additional work which necessitated the use of specialized equipment with a greater load capacity.
When the contractor sought payment for the additional expense he had incurred for this extra work, his request was rightfully denied by the city's financial office because there was no documentation of the official authorization or proof of expenditures. Once staff overseeing the project confirmed that the additional work was indeed authorized and performed and the contractor submitted appropriate invoices documenting his additional expenses, a recommendation was made to Assistant City Manager Ben Brown that the additional amount be paid. Mr. Brown consulted with Mitch and briefed him fully on this recommendation. Mitch did a thorough review of the situation and concurred with the recommendation for the additional payment. (He also issued directives to insure that all such change orders be documented in the future to prevent this situation from happening again.) Thus the contractor was correctly paid for additional work he performed that was not part of the original contract.
I sincerely hope The Rhino will publish a correction of this misinformation in their next edition. More importantly, let's all hope they take the time to interview the appropriate people and check the facts for future stories to avoid disseminating bad information yet again. Each instance of erroneous reporting lessens their credibility even further -- makes one wonder what other misinformation they have been publishing!
In a nutshell, additional concrete footings and other previously unknown building foundations buried under the parking lot asphalt were discovered as the contractor conducting the demolition of the site proceeded with the work he agreed to do for the original payment stated in the contract. City staff VERBALLY instructed him to perform this additional work not noted in the original contract but failed to file any paperwork or documentation of this additional work which necessitated the use of specialized equipment with a greater load capacity.
When the contractor sought payment for the additional expense he had incurred for this extra work, his request was rightfully denied by the city's financial office because there was no documentation of the official authorization or proof of expenditures. Once staff overseeing the project confirmed that the additional work was indeed authorized and performed and the contractor submitted appropriate invoices documenting his additional expenses, a recommendation was made to Assistant City Manager Ben Brown that the additional amount be paid. Mr. Brown consulted with Mitch and briefed him fully on this recommendation. Mitch did a thorough review of the situation and concurred with the recommendation for the additional payment. (He also issued directives to insure that all such change orders be documented in the future to prevent this situation from happening again.) Thus the contractor was correctly paid for additional work he performed that was not part of the original contract.
I sincerely hope The Rhino will publish a correction of this misinformation in their next edition. More importantly, let's all hope they take the time to interview the appropriate people and check the facts for future stories to avoid disseminating bad information yet again. Each instance of erroneous reporting lessens their credibility even further -- makes one wonder what other misinformation they have been publishing!
Congratulations, Mitch!
As evidenced by the unanimous vote for a 2.5% salary increase for City Manager Mitchell Johnson, we councilmembers are pleased with his performance in his first year officially in the job. Any first year can be tough for anyone in a new position, but Mitch has endured a nightmare "trial by fire" with the police department issues while still moving the city forward on a number of initiatives. We are looking forward to even greater progress under his leadership as we prepare to move into the budget process and tackle other issues facing this city.
Good job, Mitch!
Good job, Mitch!
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Weekly schedule
I apologize for my tardiness in posting my weekly schedule. Between official and personal commitments and holiday preparations, I'm not finding much extra time these days to devote to blogging. I had no official meetings today (Monday) but was away from home most of the day taking care of other things.
The regular city council meeting will begin at 5:30PM on Tuesday, December 19. The agenda does not appear to be very lengthy, and we have received a request for a continuance for the only zoning case that appears on it.
The most interesting action will likely be the city manager's annual performance review that will be conducted in closed session. I would anticipate returning to open session to formalize and act on the results of that evaluation.
I am planning on introducing another proposal on the SCAT fares that hopefully will satisfy a majority of those clients while remaining fiscally responsible and staying within the approved budget for this service. It is as follows:
On Wednesday, December 20, I will be attending meetings of the Piedmont Triad Rural Planning Organization (RPO) at 10AM and the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments (PTCOG) at noon. The COG meeting will feature an update on the Early Action Compact and the region's air quality status.
On the morning of Thursday, December 21, there will be another planning meeting for the visit of Michael Kirby, the US Ambassador to Moldova, coming up on January 9. So far, we have planned a full day of meetings with various groups and individuals in our area who work with Moldova in one way or another through a variety of programs that include humanitarian, health, and business issues. A reception at the Greensboro Historical Museum will conclude that day.
Barring any unforeseen meetings, there's nothing else OFFICIAL on my schedule until after the holidays, but my time will be fully taken up by holiday and family events.
The regular city council meeting will begin at 5:30PM on Tuesday, December 19. The agenda does not appear to be very lengthy, and we have received a request for a continuance for the only zoning case that appears on it.
The most interesting action will likely be the city manager's annual performance review that will be conducted in closed session. I would anticipate returning to open session to formalize and act on the results of that evaluation.
I am planning on introducing another proposal on the SCAT fares that hopefully will satisfy a majority of those clients while remaining fiscally responsible and staying within the approved budget for this service. It is as follows:
Federal regulations allow a transit system to charge twice the amount of the fixed-rate route fares for the paratransit service (SCAT) because of the additional costs associated with providing the specialized on-call service that SCAT provides. With GTA fares rising to $1.10 on January 1, undiscounted SCAT fares are scheduled to rise to $2.20. My proposal is to charge the same for SCAT rides as regular GTA rides -- $1.10, a full 50% discount. No further discounts would be offered in addition to this across-the-board 50% discount, but 10- and 40-ride ticket books would be offered for $11 and $44 respectively for the convenience of clients. When GTA fares move upwards to $1.2o and eventually $1.30 in future years, the SCAT fares would also rise, the gradual increase SCAT riders have been suggesting.
While this proposal still is not likely to please those who take in excess of 50 rides a month, the monthly increase for the vast majority who average 34-35 trips a month will be only $2.40-3.50 more that they currently pay. That seems extremely fair and generous to me, and GTA staff have calculated that this proposal generates revenue similar to that of the plan that is supposed to take effect on January 1. If the city council approves this proposal, the GTA board will have to conduct another series of public hearings on it. The earliest it could be implemented under these required hearings would be February 1.
On Wednesday, December 20, I will be attending meetings of the Piedmont Triad Rural Planning Organization (RPO) at 10AM and the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments (PTCOG) at noon. The COG meeting will feature an update on the Early Action Compact and the region's air quality status.
On the morning of Thursday, December 21, there will be another planning meeting for the visit of Michael Kirby, the US Ambassador to Moldova, coming up on January 9. So far, we have planned a full day of meetings with various groups and individuals in our area who work with Moldova in one way or another through a variety of programs that include humanitarian, health, and business issues. A reception at the Greensboro Historical Museum will conclude that day.
Barring any unforeseen meetings, there's nothing else OFFICIAL on my schedule until after the holidays, but my time will be fully taken up by holiday and family events.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Weekly schedule
This is going to be one of those weeks with a few busy spots but not too bad overall.
I have no official appointments on my schedule for Monday but will be babysitting a grandchild in the afternoon.
Tuesday is Charity League bridge marathon day for me so it will be enjoyable. I'll join friends and neighbors at the East Hunter Hills community crime watch/covered dish supper that evening.
Wednesday, December 13 is going to be the busy day. The PART meeting begins at 8:30AM with a full agenda that includes approving Davie County to become a member and swearing in one of their commissioners as a new member of our board, receiving our 2006 annual audit report, approval of several contracts, a presentation on our long-range financial outlook, and appointment of a personnel committee to evaluate the executive director and a nominating committee to suggest officers for the 2007 year.
Next comes a noon meeting of the Moldova group making preparations for the January 9 visit of the US Ambassador to Moldova, Michael Kirby. We are hoping to showcase all the connections and projects with Moldova sponsored by various organizations and individuals in Greensboro.
The evening will be spent in Burlington at the PTCOG executive committee's December meeting and holiday dinner. December 13 is also my husband's birthday so I've been telling him I'm taking him out for dinner that night at the Alamance Country Club.
We'd better not celebrate too late because I have to be off to Raleigh first thing in the morning on Thursday, December 14 to chair the Charter Schools Advisory Committee meeting. We have interviews scheduled for all schools seeking to add additional grades and/or students beyond the current provisions of their charters. It could be a very long meeting.
My husband and I will scoot over to Kernersville on Friday evening to attend a granddaughter's piano recital that evening. She's excited that we are coming, and so are we.
That's what's on my schedule for this week. I'd better find some time to work on Christmas shopping since I haven't gotten much of it done yet. Oh well, let's hope the bargains get better the longer I wait!
I have no official appointments on my schedule for Monday but will be babysitting a grandchild in the afternoon.
Tuesday is Charity League bridge marathon day for me so it will be enjoyable. I'll join friends and neighbors at the East Hunter Hills community crime watch/covered dish supper that evening.
Wednesday, December 13 is going to be the busy day. The PART meeting begins at 8:30AM with a full agenda that includes approving Davie County to become a member and swearing in one of their commissioners as a new member of our board, receiving our 2006 annual audit report, approval of several contracts, a presentation on our long-range financial outlook, and appointment of a personnel committee to evaluate the executive director and a nominating committee to suggest officers for the 2007 year.
Next comes a noon meeting of the Moldova group making preparations for the January 9 visit of the US Ambassador to Moldova, Michael Kirby. We are hoping to showcase all the connections and projects with Moldova sponsored by various organizations and individuals in Greensboro.
The evening will be spent in Burlington at the PTCOG executive committee's December meeting and holiday dinner. December 13 is also my husband's birthday so I've been telling him I'm taking him out for dinner that night at the Alamance Country Club.
We'd better not celebrate too late because I have to be off to Raleigh first thing in the morning on Thursday, December 14 to chair the Charter Schools Advisory Committee meeting. We have interviews scheduled for all schools seeking to add additional grades and/or students beyond the current provisions of their charters. It could be a very long meeting.
My husband and I will scoot over to Kernersville on Friday evening to attend a granddaughter's piano recital that evening. She's excited that we are coming, and so are we.
That's what's on my schedule for this week. I'd better find some time to work on Christmas shopping since I haven't gotten much of it done yet. Oh well, let's hope the bargains get better the longer I wait!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Coliseum update
Thursday's meeting of the War Memorial Commission (coliseum) was well-attended with all members present along with City Manager Mitchell Johnson, Finance Director Rick Lusk, and Linda Miles and Mike Williams from the city attorney's office.
Centerplate manager Jay Kudla reported that November was the second-highest grossing month to date this season generating over $285,000 in sales. This was a 100% increase over the anticipated revenue for the month and officially took the coliseum over the $1 million plateau for the year, boosting us into the 35% commission earnings. Concessions sales for the Guns N' Roses concert set a new coliseum record for per capita sales at $14.08 per person; I guess folks got hungry and thirsty waiting for Axl Rose to make his midnight appearance. The Starbucks stands are now in place, and two new concession stands are under construction on the upper concourse, one of which will be a duplicate of the successful BBQ stand on the main concourse.
Scott Johnson is anticipating 13,000+ attendees to the George Strait concert on January 20 with strong ticket sales. Clay Aiken's December 23 concert is almost sold out. The concert tours are still few and far between and the promoters tend to steer them to the arenas in which they hold a financial interest.
Matt Brown is optimistic there will be an official announcement about ice hockey in the coliseum sometime in early January. Keep your fingers crossed!
The coliseum is doing its part to support the students of Eastern Guilford High School. There will be a social event for them in the Pavilion for them on December 30. Eastern Guilford students will also be guests of the coliseum at the UNCG-Virginia Tech basketball game on January 10, and $2 of every ticket sold that evening will be donated to Eastern Guilford.
The commission discussed "where do we go from here?" since the auditorium bond referendum failed. It was agreed there is a moral obligation to make ADA improvements for the disabled such as additional wheelchair ramps, self-opening doors, an improved listening system for the hard-of-hearing, and better seating locations inside the auditorium. The six air-handlers for the complex must also be replaced soon or there will be no way to distribute hot/cold air if they fail. Some of these costs can be included in the energy-performance contract, but we will have to find money in the regular budget to cover a significant portion of them. No firm consensus was reached about if/when to attempt another bond referendum, but 2008 seems to be the first practical time to consider.
Finance Director Rick Lusk reviewed the revenue and obligations for the hotel-motel tax, a portion of which is designated for improvements at the coliseum. Due to the ongoing repayment of past COPs (Certificates of Participation) and slow growth in the hotel-motel tax revenue, it will be 2011 before there will be sufficient funding capacity to pay for additional improvements at the coliseum.
Bottom line, there are lots of needs and, as usual, not enough money available to take care of those needs.
Centerplate manager Jay Kudla reported that November was the second-highest grossing month to date this season generating over $285,000 in sales. This was a 100% increase over the anticipated revenue for the month and officially took the coliseum over the $1 million plateau for the year, boosting us into the 35% commission earnings. Concessions sales for the Guns N' Roses concert set a new coliseum record for per capita sales at $14.08 per person; I guess folks got hungry and thirsty waiting for Axl Rose to make his midnight appearance. The Starbucks stands are now in place, and two new concession stands are under construction on the upper concourse, one of which will be a duplicate of the successful BBQ stand on the main concourse.
Scott Johnson is anticipating 13,000+ attendees to the George Strait concert on January 20 with strong ticket sales. Clay Aiken's December 23 concert is almost sold out. The concert tours are still few and far between and the promoters tend to steer them to the arenas in which they hold a financial interest.
Matt Brown is optimistic there will be an official announcement about ice hockey in the coliseum sometime in early January. Keep your fingers crossed!
The coliseum is doing its part to support the students of Eastern Guilford High School. There will be a social event for them in the Pavilion for them on December 30. Eastern Guilford students will also be guests of the coliseum at the UNCG-Virginia Tech basketball game on January 10, and $2 of every ticket sold that evening will be donated to Eastern Guilford.
The commission discussed "where do we go from here?" since the auditorium bond referendum failed. It was agreed there is a moral obligation to make ADA improvements for the disabled such as additional wheelchair ramps, self-opening doors, an improved listening system for the hard-of-hearing, and better seating locations inside the auditorium. The six air-handlers for the complex must also be replaced soon or there will be no way to distribute hot/cold air if they fail. Some of these costs can be included in the energy-performance contract, but we will have to find money in the regular budget to cover a significant portion of them. No firm consensus was reached about if/when to attempt another bond referendum, but 2008 seems to be the first practical time to consider.
Finance Director Rick Lusk reviewed the revenue and obligations for the hotel-motel tax, a portion of which is designated for improvements at the coliseum. Due to the ongoing repayment of past COPs (Certificates of Participation) and slow growth in the hotel-motel tax revenue, it will be 2011 before there will be sufficient funding capacity to pay for additional improvements at the coliseum.
Bottom line, there are lots of needs and, as usual, not enough money available to take care of those needs.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Heart of the Triad
The Heart of the Triad (HOT) steering committee met this morning for the first time since April. The meeting was well-attended with only two of the elected officials members on the committee present, Councilman John Faircloth of High Point and me.
One key component of the HOT plan is the travel demand model which predicts future traffic volumes on area streets and highways. PART executive director Brent McKinney explained the long delay in producing this computer-generated information was a result of errors in the "network coding" data submitted from member transportation departments which resulted in faulty projections. In order to have reliable information, it was necessary to reenter the corrected data and develop new software. It was time-consuming, but we now have an accurate transportation model for ALL regional road projects, not just HOT.
Co-chair Robbie Perkins and HDR consultant David Taylor reviewed the purpose of this study. This 18,000 acres which straddle the Guilford County/Forsyth County line WILL develop, with or without a master plan. Under a "do nothing" scenario, it will become "just another suburb of single family homes," a hodgepodge of housing, warehouses, and traffic jams that is projected to produce around 45,000 jobs. By changing the market and focusing on business clusters, it is possible to design a desirable community where people can live, work and play, producing 140,000-150,000 job opportunities. Do we want a community with "the power of place" or one that is "anywhere, everywhere?" Will it be a "to" place or a "through" place? Mr. Taylor noted there is a severe disconnect between the current policies in the six governmental jurisdictions and our stated vision. Can the two counties and four cities work together to produce one strategy so that our future is "intentional, not accidental?"
After exploring numerous possibilities, the consultant is recommending that we focus on attracting two industry clusters -- logistics /distribution (wholesale trade, transportation of passengers and goods, warehousing, scenic and sightseeing transportation, logistics management and consulting) and medical/technology (biological research, pharmaceuticals and medicine, medical devices and equipment, medical instruments, biomanufacturing). Other targets include a retirement lifestyle community complete with a major golf course, outdoor recreation facilities, conference center, lodging, retail, food and entertainment. Lastly, a collaborative international "intellectual asset" center that houses specialized state and federal facilities, a technology center, specialized healthcare, and a combined university campus is proposed, perhaps partnering with a country such as India or China.
The Cost/Benefit Analysis shows a net gain of $300+ million per year of revenue in the area with $20 million of that being additional tax revenue annually for area governments over the "do nothing" scenario. This analysis took into account the need to build additional roads, schools, and other infrastructure and the annual operating costs for them.
After extensive review and discussion of the three scenarios produced at the planning charette back in the spring, the technical committee (the planners, transportation experts, business professionals, and others) recommended a modified version of Concept #1 as the preferred plan. Most of the activity is focused within a 5,500-6,000 acre core, leaving the other 12,000 acres to be planned and developed by the appropriate counties and or cities on their own.
Here is the map of modified Concept #1. The areas of most intense development are shown in purple --on the upper right around the 1-40 split/airport area and on the lower left near the Dell plant. Over 34% of the land is left as undeveloped or open space, a concept strongly favored during the public input process. Robbie Perkins observed this is considerably more than if the area is developed independently with no master plan.
One key component of the HOT plan is the travel demand model which predicts future traffic volumes on area streets and highways. PART executive director Brent McKinney explained the long delay in producing this computer-generated information was a result of errors in the "network coding" data submitted from member transportation departments which resulted in faulty projections. In order to have reliable information, it was necessary to reenter the corrected data and develop new software. It was time-consuming, but we now have an accurate transportation model for ALL regional road projects, not just HOT.
Co-chair Robbie Perkins and HDR consultant David Taylor reviewed the purpose of this study. This 18,000 acres which straddle the Guilford County/Forsyth County line WILL develop, with or without a master plan. Under a "do nothing" scenario, it will become "just another suburb of single family homes," a hodgepodge of housing, warehouses, and traffic jams that is projected to produce around 45,000 jobs. By changing the market and focusing on business clusters, it is possible to design a desirable community where people can live, work and play, producing 140,000-150,000 job opportunities. Do we want a community with "the power of place" or one that is "anywhere, everywhere?" Will it be a "to" place or a "through" place? Mr. Taylor noted there is a severe disconnect between the current policies in the six governmental jurisdictions and our stated vision. Can the two counties and four cities work together to produce one strategy so that our future is "intentional, not accidental?"
After exploring numerous possibilities, the consultant is recommending that we focus on attracting two industry clusters -- logistics /distribution (wholesale trade, transportation of passengers and goods, warehousing, scenic and sightseeing transportation, logistics management and consulting) and medical/technology (biological research, pharmaceuticals and medicine, medical devices and equipment, medical instruments, biomanufacturing). Other targets include a retirement lifestyle community complete with a major golf course, outdoor recreation facilities, conference center, lodging, retail, food and entertainment. Lastly, a collaborative international "intellectual asset" center that houses specialized state and federal facilities, a technology center, specialized healthcare, and a combined university campus is proposed, perhaps partnering with a country such as India or China.
The Cost/Benefit Analysis shows a net gain of $300+ million per year of revenue in the area with $20 million of that being additional tax revenue annually for area governments over the "do nothing" scenario. This analysis took into account the need to build additional roads, schools, and other infrastructure and the annual operating costs for them.
After extensive review and discussion of the three scenarios produced at the planning charette back in the spring, the technical committee (the planners, transportation experts, business professionals, and others) recommended a modified version of Concept #1 as the preferred plan. Most of the activity is focused within a 5,500-6,000 acre core, leaving the other 12,000 acres to be planned and developed by the appropriate counties and or cities on their own.
Here is the map of modified Concept #1. The areas of most intense development are shown in purple --on the upper right around the 1-40 split/airport area and on the lower left near the Dell plant. Over 34% of the land is left as undeveloped or open space, a concept strongly favored during the public input process. Robbie Perkins observed this is considerably more than if the area is developed independently with no master plan.
Several new roadways are depicted, including a major north-south parkway and two east-west connectors. There is also an assumption of extensive trails, sidewalks and bikeways as well as transit within HOT, enabling a capture rate of 50% of all vehicle trips (which means that 50% of the vehicle trips would be internal and not go outside the HOT boundaries).
Three possibilities were suggested as governance options:
The Cooperative Approach where there would be little or no formal structure, but all jurisdictions would agree to work together and keep each other informed of their individual decisions and activities;
The Collaborative Approach where there would be a more formalized effort to work together and have a structured planning process, perhaps with PART coordinating land use planning until an economic council could be put in place; or
The Legislative Approach where authorization would be sought from the General Assembly to form a nonprofit entity such as an authority to manage and develop the area.
In response to question, we learned there are numerous developers waiting in the wings to proceed with a variety of projects, but they are patiently awaiting the development of the HOT plan to see what the standards may be before proceeding. It will be important to finish the plan in a timely manner in hopes that these developers will be willing to work within the plan to achieve high quality development to fulfill the overall vision and intent.
Steering committee members were asked to carefully study all the information and come back on January 17 to discuss, refine, change, accept or reject the recommendations. The four Chambers of Commerce will host a joint meeting of all the elected officials of the six jurisdictions on January 29 to share all this information and respond to questions and concerns in preparation for the eventual decision each governing body will have to make on their participation -- or not -- in this plan for the future.
What resources will each body be willing to contribute? How will revenue be shared? What will be the governance structure and the decision-making process? These are the questions that us elected officials will ultimately have to answer.
Three possibilities were suggested as governance options:
The Cooperative Approach where there would be little or no formal structure, but all jurisdictions would agree to work together and keep each other informed of their individual decisions and activities;
The Collaborative Approach where there would be a more formalized effort to work together and have a structured planning process, perhaps with PART coordinating land use planning until an economic council could be put in place; or
The Legislative Approach where authorization would be sought from the General Assembly to form a nonprofit entity such as an authority to manage and develop the area.
In response to question, we learned there are numerous developers waiting in the wings to proceed with a variety of projects, but they are patiently awaiting the development of the HOT plan to see what the standards may be before proceeding. It will be important to finish the plan in a timely manner in hopes that these developers will be willing to work within the plan to achieve high quality development to fulfill the overall vision and intent.
Steering committee members were asked to carefully study all the information and come back on January 17 to discuss, refine, change, accept or reject the recommendations. The four Chambers of Commerce will host a joint meeting of all the elected officials of the six jurisdictions on January 29 to share all this information and respond to questions and concerns in preparation for the eventual decision each governing body will have to make on their participation -- or not -- in this plan for the future.
What resources will each body be willing to contribute? How will revenue be shared? What will be the governance structure and the decision-making process? These are the questions that us elected officials will ultimately have to answer.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Weekly schedule
Here I am tardy again in posting my weekly schedule. I "lost" my weekend due to babysitting three ACTIVE grandkids overnight on Saturday and half the day Sunday (and then needing to recuperate from that adventure).
I spent all day today, Monday December 4, in Raleigh at NCPTA headquarters working on bylaws and standing rules revisions, getting home around 7PM this evening. LONG DAY!
Tuesday, December 5 starts off bright and early with a long-overdue meeting of the Heart of the Triad steering committee. I am hoping the consultant will have the recommendations ready for review and discussion.
The regular city council meeting will begin at 5:30PM that day with an agenda that contains several controversial rezoning requests. It is my understanding that requests for continuance are being made on at least two of those cases, so maybe the meeting will adjourn at a decent hour.
The informal committee on which I serve composed of persons interested in Greensboro's relationship with Moldova will meet at 8AM on Wednesday, December 6 to continue planning for the visit of the US Ambassador to Moldova who is tentatively scheduled to be in Greensboro all day on January 6.
I have an informal meeting with one of my fellow charter schools committee members on Thursday morning, December 7 to review some concerns. Then it's off to the coliseum for the War Memorial Commission meeting at noon and to Triad Stage that evening for opening night of Beautiful Star.
It's back to the coliseum on Friday evening for Hairspray, the next show in the Best of Broadway series.
It's a busy week!
I spent all day today, Monday December 4, in Raleigh at NCPTA headquarters working on bylaws and standing rules revisions, getting home around 7PM this evening. LONG DAY!
Tuesday, December 5 starts off bright and early with a long-overdue meeting of the Heart of the Triad steering committee. I am hoping the consultant will have the recommendations ready for review and discussion.
The regular city council meeting will begin at 5:30PM that day with an agenda that contains several controversial rezoning requests. It is my understanding that requests for continuance are being made on at least two of those cases, so maybe the meeting will adjourn at a decent hour.
The informal committee on which I serve composed of persons interested in Greensboro's relationship with Moldova will meet at 8AM on Wednesday, December 6 to continue planning for the visit of the US Ambassador to Moldova who is tentatively scheduled to be in Greensboro all day on January 6.
I have an informal meeting with one of my fellow charter schools committee members on Thursday morning, December 7 to review some concerns. Then it's off to the coliseum for the War Memorial Commission meeting at noon and to Triad Stage that evening for opening night of Beautiful Star.
It's back to the coliseum on Friday evening for Hairspray, the next show in the Best of Broadway series.
It's a busy week!
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