The Urban Forestry Division is celebrating Arbor Day this year by again offering a contest for tree lovers across Wake Forest. From now through Sunday, March 31, the UFD is accepting nominations from residents for the Wake Forest 2024 Tree of the Year award. Trees may be nominated for their size, species, historic significance, personal meaning, community benefit or general notoriety – but they must be located within the Wake Forest town limits. To submit your choice, visit http://bit.ly/WFTreeofYear, complete the nomination form and upload a photo of your tree. Finalists will be selected by Town staff, then voted on by the community during the week of April 8. The tree that receives the most votes will be announced as the winner during Forest Fest on Saturday, April 20. The person who submits the winning tree will receive a certificate crowning their tree as the Wake Forest 2024 Tree of the

The Wake Forest Public Art Commission is partnering with the Northeast Community Coalition to issue a Call for Artists at https://bit.ly/WFPAC_CallforArtists for a community engagement mural to be applied to the exterior of the Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 North Taylor Street.  The theme of the piece is open to the artist’s discretion but should reflect themes of family and history. Only artists that have applied for and been accepted into the PAC’s Pre-Qualified Artist Registry are eligible. To learn more and/or apply, visit https://bit.ly/WFPACPreQualifiedArtistRegistry. A selection committee comprised of members of the Wake Forest PAC and Northeast Community Coalition, and other relevant parties will jury all submissions and select the winning artist who will enter a contract with the Town of Wake Forest. The selected artist will be responsible for initiating the design of the artwork, engaging community feedback on design, and completing the artwork in conjunction with the community. Selection criteria include the applicant’s proven ability to

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department and the PRCR Advisory Board are updating the 2015 PRCR Master Plan through “Play It Forward Wake Forest,” a campaign to raise awareness about the initiative and encourage community participation in the process. Citizen input is the cornerstone of “Play It Forward,” so we want to hear from you. You’re invited to visit https://engagewakeforest.org/parks-recreation-master-plan-update and complete Community Survey #3 to rate your satisfaction with Wake Forest parks and facilities. You may also complete the survey at the following PRCR facilities during normal operating hours: Alston-Massenburg Center,416 N. Taylor St.; Flaherty Park Community Center, 1226 N. White St.; and Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road. The comprehensive survey is available through Friday, March 22, and takes less than 30 minutes to complete. The PRCR Master Plan reflects the Town’s vision of a vibrant community that responds to the needs and desires of its

The Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the 2024 Meet in the Street. The 42nd anniversary of Meet in the Street, presented by Allison Caudle with Southern Lux Living and coordinated by the Wake Forest Area Chamber, will be held Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm in downtown Wake Forest.  This premier arts & crafts, music and food festival will include more than 100 artisan booths featuring handmade items for sale, dozens of food trucks, live music throughout the day on two different stages, a children’s village filled with activities for kids, and more. Admission is free. Interested in being part of this event? The application window is NOW OPEN for 2024! Click the appropriate application below to download a fillable PDF application. Arts & Crafts VendorsFood VendorsNonprofits (Chamber member exclusive)Festival Business Booths & Sponsorships ###

The Wake Forest Inspections Department issues a monthly report about all new building permits and new businesses. In February there were 57 permits issued for new single-family dwellings, 36 permits for townhouses and 26 permits for multi-family dwellings. There was no new commercial buildings approved . There were no fit-ups approved. There were four pre-occupancy inspections: Proforce Pest Control Raleigh LLC at Merritt Capital Drove, Suite 102 Mattress Now at 12267 Capital Boulevard Revolution Hearing at 2006 South Main Street, Suite 202 Big Blue Marble Academy at 1941 Heritage Branch Road Monarch Mental Health Counseling at 1780 Heritage Center Drive, Suite 204 ###

Based on the January, 2024 Monthly Development Report, WF Planning Updated February 14, 2024 The updated Wake Forest population as of July 1, 2023 was 56,681. That figure included the new homes which were approved for occupancy. When all the current approved apartments, townhouses and single-family homes are built the population will rise to 69,956. The town keeps a running tally of approved projects with counts of those completed. The best inspections current estimate is that between seven and eight people move to town each day. Plans NOT on the list There are a number of plans, large and small, that have been on this list and have now disappeared. Some of the plans have before the planning and the town board, and large subdivisions such as the Reserve at Dunn Creek require detailed plans after approval by the town board, detailed plans the planning department staff have to examine,