As someone concerned about the town of Wake Forest’s continued economic prosperity, I wholeheartedly hope that Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary will continue to grow and prosper.
SEBTS has provided wonderful care for the historic rock-walled campus. It is therefore very surprising that the 20-year master plan reveals a lack of sensitivity to that history and to the sensibilities of the seminary’s fellow townspeople and college alumni by proposing a street lined with parking spaces behind that wall and the entrance arch, a narrow parking lot that will be visible from Front Street and the Underpass.
A growing student body and faculty will indeed need more parking, but there must be places in and near the campus that could be used instead.
There may be several in town who would like to protest that aspect of the plan – or other parts – but wonder if their views or concerns would be heard in the quasi-judicial hearing required under state law for this master plan review. Town residents who want to register an opinion or speak from their experience find it hard to do so under the state law; the only allowable testimony is from qualified experts. There will be experts who will speak for the seminary plan.
There is a way for residents to be heard but it does require some work, maybe even some expense. First, make an appointment and meet with Senior Planner Charlie Yokley to examine the proposed plan. Determine what is proposed and if you do object to it. Talk it over with your friends and with members of the Historic Preservation Commission, who will discuss it tonight, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m. in town hall. The commission does not have any jurisdiction over the campus, but the members will know experts in historic preservation who might be interested in appearing on your behalf at the hearing.
Look around, ask friends and find a transportation/traffic planner who could look at the street and its proposed junction with North Avenue. Again, this person might be willing to appear at the hearing for free or a small fee.
Until some other solution is found to the requirement for expert testimony only in hearings such as this, interested and concerned town residents will have to find their own experts to have their voices heard. Thankfully, there is enough advance notice in this case to make finding those experts possible.
2 Responses
I agree with what Tony said!!!! The old tennis court would be perfect, and convenient for the students. The other option is awful, and would present an ‘eyesore” and total disrespect for the old college campus. Looking into the circle is always such a comfort and peaceful sight, it would be a shame to take that away from the town and it’s visitors.
What happened to the seminary’s plan for a parking deck at the intersection of N Wingate and North Ave. (Where the old tennis courts used to be.) This is the most logical place for parking. A two or three level deck would hardly be seen in that location.