(This is the first step in building an informative standing article about Wake Forest’s growth and changes based on information in the town’s Project Tracker for capital projects, interviews, planning department documents and hearing and other information.)
Streets, Roads, Greenways and Transportation
*Stadium Drive Complete Street is listed as in the construction phase. The December update says that the town board approved the $6,789,876 contract with the Fred Smith Company in December and construction is planned to begin in March. Utilities are being moved. Assistant Town Engineer Holly E. Miller said last week, “We anticipate construction beginning in March 2018 and completion in fall 2019.”
The project includes resurfacing North Avenue. There will be a roundabout at the intersection of Stadium, North Avenue and Wingate Street. A center turn lane will be added to Stadium along with turn lanes at intersections and driveways and bump-outs for buses. From Glencoe Drive to the Richland Creek bridge there will be a 10-foot multi-use path on the south and a 5-foot sidewalk on the north. From the bridge to Wingate Street there will be sidewalks on both sides.
*Ligon Mill Road Operational Improvements is also listed as being in construction but Director of Engineering Eric Keravuori said this week he needs to update the website and “. . . just been busy with getting the bid package together. We hope to put it out for bid this spring. Duke/Progress is still relocating some utilities.”
The project for the section of Ligon Mill Road west from South Main Street to a new section built for an apartment project will provide a center turn lane and turn lanes for driveways and entrances. Acquiring the right-of-way from several owners has been one reason the project has appeared to be stalled at times.
Public Facilities
*Northern Wake Senior Center work is underway but you cannot see it. Architect Matt Hale is preparing the construction documents – site plans, building plans, specifications and bid package – to be ready for bidding next Monday, Feb. 5. “The bidding period takes about one month,” he said. “After contract negotiations and Town Commissioner approval, we will likely have a contractor selected by the end of March.”
At the same time, as Facilities Director Mickey Rochelle reported, the plans are being reviewed by several agencies – Wake Forest planning and engineering departments, Raleigh’s public utilities, the state Division of Environmental Quality, etc. Hale said, “Building plans will be submitted for permit review simultaneous with the public bidding period, so we should be close to having the approval we need about the same time the Contractor is selected. Again, this is done to help compress the schedule.
“Once the Contractor mobilizes, we estimate it will take 10 months to complete.”
The estimated cost is $3.1 million which will be paid from the general obligation bonds the voters approved in 2014.
*Renaissance Centre Renovations Phase 2 is underway. Rochelle said, “Demolition is complete and they are in the process of rebuilding.” The town has estimated the cost at $1.2 million, and Wake County has given the town a grant of $296,975 for the work. The work will allow for more varied entertainment.
*Operations Center Expansion is really going to be relocating the current center on Friendship Chapel Road to a site with between 22 and 31 acres. The feasibility study found that the present site is too small and cannot be expanded. The search for the land is underway. The estimated cost is $27.4 million.
*Holding Park Aquatic Center will be the name for the three-pool center for children and adults. The 1975 pool, which was deteriorated, was demolished and removed late last year. After the construction contract of $2,929,000 was awarded to Harrod & Associates, construction began on Dec. 4. The opening date for the pool center is May 15.
The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department wants funding in the Capital Improvements Plan for 2019-2020 to improve the playground, make it more accessible and improve the drainage system.
