This is the last week we will publish answers from the five town board candidates – Chad Casale, Brian Clemson, Greg Harrington (incumbent), Brian Pate and Anne Reeve (incumbent) – posed by the Gazette editor. This week’s questions are:
1) (This is mostly for the non-incumbents but everyone can chime in.) Have you attended a Wake Forest Town Board or Planning Board meeting? If not, why not? Have you served on any of the town’s advisory boards?
2) What have you learned about the town during the campaign?
3) What ideas do you have for getting more shops and other new activities into downtown? What ideas do you have for providing more parking downtown?
4) What services do we lack in town in your opinion?
The answers will be in paragraph style without the questions. Next week there will be a recap of the election campaigns.
Brian Clemson: (1) I have attended a few Wake Forest Town Board meetings and have watched numerous recorded meetings. I have not served on any of the town advisory boards.
(2) I have learned quite a bit regarding the tools that the Town Board uses when reviewing potential development projects. These include the UDO, Community Plan, and Greenways Plan. I have also learned about the partnership between the Town of Wake Forest and the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce. Their unique position as the economic development agency for the Town gives them point on promoting jobs and commerce for the Town.
(3) I would like to see cafes and small restaurants with outdoor seating. The goal would be to support more of a nightlife on weekends in that area. Extending the operating hours of the Wake Forest bus loop would help to support this as well.
One idea for an activity downtown would be an arts and crafts fair similar to Lazy Daze in Cary. Artists locally and from surrounding communities could be invited to showcase their work. Entertainment could be provided by local musicians and entertainers including high school bands and local dance and music school students.
Availability of free space downtown is limited, in my opinion. We would need to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing the space that is available for a lot or parking deck and weigh that against the need to develop that space for other uses such as business space and natural areas. Other solutions might need to be investigated such as using existing lots around town and providing a shuttle service on weekends to carry people from the lots to a drop-off area downtown.
(4) This would have been a simple question to answer when I first moved here in 1998. From my perspective, we have grown sufficiently since then that there are few services of which I am aware we are deficient.
(Readers can reach Clemson at 919-562-8084 or brian.clemson@gmail.com.)
Greg Harrington: (1) Yes. For the past four years I have had the privilege of attending all the Town Board meetings. The two years prior I served on the planning board.
(2) The one thing I keep hearing is how people are proud of Wake Forest and how glad they moved here. Everyone seems to like the small town feel and really enjoy all the opportunities that are offered. Parks and greenways are popular but wish we had more park space. People feel safe but would like better streets to drive on.
(3) After attending the WFD (Wake Forest Downtown) Design Workshop on Oct. 10 I was most impressed with the ideas that the architects presented after visiting our downtown area for just a short period of time. I know the town cannot force any property owner to embrace any of these ideas but we can encourage the owners to do what they can to help make our downtown even better than it already is. If regulations are holding folks back maybe we can look at what needs to be tweak and offer our assistance.
We need to continue our Streetscape project as it would provide a better visual effect for people that are looking to invest in new businesses downtown. WFD Board of Directors are always looking for ways to enhance our downtown area and as Town Commissioners we should make sure their efforts are not in vain. WFD is partially supported with money it receives from the town and the Executive Director is a town employee. She continually get calls for vacant space in downtown so we need to make sure she has all the tools necessary to bring in these new businesses. Parking is another issue altogether. Space is limited and right now I just don’t have an answer unless we could find the right place to build a parking deck. Of course that requires a great deal of money.
(4) The town has brought in many different types of business over the years and right now we are not lacking for too many services. I would like to see more restaurants, parks, specialty shops, another Hallmark card shop, a bakery downtown. Although we have done well over the years to bring our citizens many different things there are always services we can look at if requested. Working with the Chamber of Commerce and WFD is vital and I look forward to continuing that relationship.
(Readers can reach Harrington at 919-723-7008 or mgregh@nc.rr.com.)
Brian Pate: (1) I have attended Wake Forest Town Board meetings and planning meetings for years. When I miss one, I always watch it on the town’s TV channel 10.
Although I have not served on any of the Town Advisory Boards, I have served on boards here in town that have had direct relationships including the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, as Chair of the Government Affairs Committee for the Chamber, and currently serving on the board for the Trentini Foundation.
In addition, I have volunteered for all of the following groups: YMCA “We Build People” campaign, Koinonia Foundation, Wake Forest Birthplace Society, Wake Forest ARTS, German Shepherd Rescue and Adoptions, Relay For Life, Boys and Girls Club, Good Neighbor Day, Wake Forest Christmas Parade, Wake Forest July 4th Committee, Wakefield Rotary Club, Wake Forest United Methodist Church, Wake Forest Mardi Gras, the Lighting of Wake Forest, Wake Forest Christmas Dinner and First Light Wake Forest.
Along with that, I have volunteered at Wake Forest Elementary, Wake Forest Middle, Heritage Middle and Heritage High School amassing over 100 hours of volunteering annually for the last five years between those schools.
(2) The best thing I have learned about Wake Forest is how passionate the citizens are about the town. People are proud to be from Wake Forest and to let others know.
By listening to people as I have knocked on doors and visited with them at different functions, I have also learned that there are issues that may not be at the forefront of everyone’s minds, but they are important.
For example, I have discussed a possible ordinance that limits the tethering of dogs for long periods of time with a couple of animal lovers. After hearing their concern, I reviewed the ordinances that other local municipalities have.
Also, I have heard from many people regarding my comments in the Candidates Forum sponsored by the Chamber on the proper use of the Futures Fund. I expressed that I was concerned that money from that fund was being used to build a road from Capcom to Rogers.
I think that money should be used to help businesses that can contribute jobs to the area as they try to launch or grow. As those businesses grow, they would replenish that fund with the interest paid on the loan.
(3) A couple of weeks ago, the town gathered some of the sharpest minds in the Triangle architectural scene and walked them through the historic downtown area. With 1,600 feet from the north end to the south end, they had some great ideas.
Imagine a Wake Forest Downtown with rooftop restaurants and a thriving shopping scene after 5 p.m. every night! The downtown has its anchors in the Cotton Company, White Street Brewing and multiple coffee options. In addition all of the boutique shops providing antiques, artwork and many other wares, there are opportunities for growth in restaurants and shops.
Using the ten cent tax in the downtown area to continue improvements that may have been overlooked in the major redesign would also be good. For example, there are few water faucets to water all of the trees the town has planted. Something so simple could save costs of replacing dead trees and plants.
As far as parking goes, under normal circumstances, parking is plentiful in the downtown area. Of course when the Christmas Parade or Meet In The Street takes place, there are going to be challenges.
From a planning standpoint, I don’t think it is wise to build for the worst possible occasions. Putting in a parking deck or something like that is a great idea but incredibly expensive. If you built it in the center section between White Street and Brooks Street, it would still be blocked during major events so I don’t think that is logical even though some others have suggested it.
As growth occurs, I’m sure the businesses that come to downtown as it expands will be considering parking options and are likely to use some of their land for parking purposes.
(4) I would like to see a few options for teens in the Wake Forest area. I know that my daughters like to go to the downtown area, but I am also aware that doesn’t interest all kids.
When I was in McKinney, Texas, a couple of years ago, they had a place called Top Golf. It was a hub of all ages dominated by teens. It combined an arcade and restaurant with a driving range where each ball had a GPS satellite and you scored points depending on where the ball landed.
Although that was the centerpiece, there were tons of arcade games, pool tables, ping pong tables and a great pizza place that drew kids from all over the county. I remember growing up in Myrtle Beach and spent hours with my friends at the Pavilion. With something like that, it would certainly be something of interest to pursue.
(Readers can reach Pate at 919-669-4575 or www.paterealty.com.)
Chad Casale: (1) I have attended a few Town Board meetings as well as the most recent WakeUP Wake County Forum hosted at Wake Forest Town Hall. I consider myself lucky that Wake Forest has such wonderful technology that allows me to attend board meetings and planning board meetings electronically via TV or live streaming on the internet if I am unable to be there in person. I have not served on any town advisory boards.
(2) I have learned that Wake Forest has some of the nicest people that I have ever met. Though I am a relative newcomer to town, I have been welcomed like family. I’ve learned that our town faces many challenges. I feel the number one challenge is out of control growth and the lack of sufficient infrastructure to support said growth.
(3) Mixed use development. Allow single buildings in the downtown area to blend a combination of residential, commercial, cultural or industrial uses, where those functions are physically and functionally integrated, and that provides pedestrian connections. As I stated at the candidate forum, Asheville has embraced this concept and has realized an 800 percent increase in revenue generation per acre from this type of development versus a single big box store or retailer like a Super Walmart or Target Superstore. Mixed use is the future.
With that being said, the town will need a place to provide more parking for those coming into downtown to eat, stay and shop. Due to geographic and space limitations, a multi-level parking garage seems to be a solution. We need to create a “people place,” an area where visitors have a variety of activities available in one place from retail to restaurants, to offices and community spaces. It incorporates a “sense of place” and fosters community identity and leaves a positive lasting impression on both residents and visitors as well. The multi-level parking garage would be a mixed use structure providing retail and dining space at ground level and office space to the lower levels. This reduces walking distance and also helps to minimize the presence of the structure.
(4) Healthcare. And by that I mean access to a fully staffed and equipped Emergency Room Facility right here in Wake Forest. Our population of about 39,000 warrants a hospital in town to provide our residents with the best and most rapid care in a medical emergency. I’d even be happy to see a critical access hospital in Wake Forest that can provide state of the art emergency care for our residents. Then, once the patient is stable, they can be transferred to another facility that is set up for longer term care. In a medical emergency, seconds count, and having our nearest Emergency Room 15-20 minutes away is not conducive to providing the best healthcare for our residents.
(Readers can reach Casale at 1-516-779-8619 or chad.casale@yahoo.com.)
Anne Reeve: (1) I have been attending the Planning Board and Town Board meetings since the early 1990s (I moved here in 1987).
(2) I continue to learn about Wake Forest every day I live here. I love the historic aspect. However, with all the new development and businesses/services we are becoming more and more urbanized. This area of NC offers so much to residents. Medical, educational, outdoor activities/wellness activities – i.e. parks and greenways, arts, museums, you name it is here. That is what makes Wake Forest so attractive to so many. A former chair of the Chamber of Commerce once said, “Wake Forest is the best kept secret in Wake County.” Well, it isn’t a secret any longer. I do embrace the changes in diversity of ideas. Without new ideas, we become stagnant.
(3) Economic development for downtown is an on-going process. I have always been a supported of the downtown – shops and events. The Downtown Wake Forest organizations and the Town continue to partner to do everything possible to make our downtown as vibrant as possible. I would like to see more residential spaces. I think that would help to increase the number of businesses and restaurants in the area.
I know this comment will not be well received. I have never had a problem with finding a place to park. Of course, as more growth comes to downtown, there will be new needs and that is in the long range plans.
(4) I looked around and tried to think of what else is needed – can’t think of a thing. We have many dentists/doctors/clinics; more clothing/home shopping has recently been added; it seems we have plenty of fast food and a number of nicer restaurants; we have excellent pre-schools; good public schools; if it is a “box” we have them – so, no I can’t think of what else is needed.
(Readers can reach Reeve at 919-556-6304; e-mail: annereeve68@yahoo.com.)
