We approved the Parks Bond. Now what?

Breaking down Raleigh’s $275 million parks bond

Flowers Filed in Dorothea Dix Park in June 2022.

Dix Park will receive a significant portion of the Parks Bond. | Photo by RALtoday

Earlier this week, Raleigh voters approved the $275 million Parks Bond during the 2022 general election. Of the 159,510 ballots counted, 73.1% of people voted "yes.” This is the largest-ever parks and greenway bond for the City of Oaks to date.

So, what does this mean for Raleigh parks? We’ll break it down for you.

What’s a bond?

Bonds generate money from taxpayers to finance major projects. In other words, taxpayers will pay higher taxes in exchange for community-wide benefits, like those that come from building and improving parks.

Where exactly will the money come from?

Property owners. In this case, Raleigh’s property tax rate will increase by four cents. It’s estimated that the Parks Bond will cost the median city homeowner approx. $103 annually.

What will the new Parks Bond do?

The bond will support 20 park facilities and projects throughout Raleigh by expanding and improving current spaces, and by building new ones. Some of the notable projects the bond will help fund include:

John Chavis Historic Park | $54.3 million | A new aquatic center, developing Heritage Plaza, and expanding historic interpretive displays.
Dix Park | $43.1 million | Construction of the 18-acre Gipson Play Plaza, which will include a civic plaza, waterfall fountain, adventure play spaces, and a picnic grove. Learn more.
Tarboro Community Center | $29.5 million | Redevelopment of Tarboro Road Park.
Lake Wheeler Road | $21 million | Improvements and the addition of a multi-use bike and pedestrian path.
Devereux Meadows | $11.5 million | Site remediation, stream restoration, and park improvements. Learn more.

Additionally, funds will be used to improve and expand Raleigh’s greenway system in corridors including Big Branch, Marsh Creek, and Walnut Creek.

Pro tip: View this interactive map to see where the city will allocate the Park Bond’s funds.

When will we see changes?

Work supported by the bond is expected to begin in July 2023. It will be implemented in phases over the next five to six years.

Click here to have your event featured.

Friday, Nov. 11

Campbell vs. NC State | Friday, Nov. 11 | 7 p.m. | PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh | $10-$22 | Cheer on the Wolfpack’s men’s basketball team.
Moonlight in the Garden | Friday, Nov. 11-Saturday, Nov. 19 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh | $20-$30 | See the internationally-acclaimed gardens of the Arboretum artfully illuminated.

Saturday, Nov. 12

Cocktails & Cuisine Class: Rye Whiskey | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 2-3:30 p.m. | The Willard Rooftop Lounge, 9 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh | $50 | Learn how to make three cocktails with rye whiskey.
Fortnite Champion Series Invitational | Saturday, Nov. 12-Sunday, Nov. 13 | 2:30 p.m. | Raleigh Convention Center, 500 South Salisbury St., Raleigh | $30-$80 | Watch as top players from around the world compete in duos for a share of the $1,000,000 prize pool.

Sunday, Nov. 13

Geek and Grub Market (90s Edition) | Sunday, Nov. 13 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Fred Fletcher Park, 820 Clay St., Raleigh | Free | Shop from 30+ geeky vendors, eat yummy food, and play giant games.
Picnic and Wine Pop Up at The Meadows | Sunday, Nov. 13 | 1-5 p.m. | The Meadows at Firefly Farm Preserve, 1945 The Meadows Ln., Raleigh | $50 | Sip and savor local wine and listen to live music while picnicking on 150 acres of natural preserve.
St. Lucia | Sunday, Nov. 13 | 8 p.m. | Lincoln Theatre, 126 East Cabarrus St., Raleigh | $25-$195 | See this alternative band perform on the Utopia Tour.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

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Weather

76º | Thunderstorms | 88% chance of rain ⛈️

Coming Soon

Seattle chef Eric Rivera is bringing two new restaurants to Raleigh in 2023. Sapo will be a private dining room featuring tasting menus of fancy foods, while Coqui will be a Puerto Rican izakaya. Chef Eric will also host private dinners in the City of Oaks March 1-April 30, 2023. 🍽️ (Eater Carolinas)

Eat

Gringo A Go Go is opening for brunch this Sunday, Nov. 13. Head to this downtown Mexican restaurant between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to try the new brunch dishes and drinks on the menu. 🍹

Travel

Avelo Airlines is launching six new direct flights to Florida at RDU in February 2023. The new nonstop destinations include Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando, Palm Beach, Sarasota, and Tampa. The airline will also open its base at RDU on Feb. 16, 2023, creating at least 50 jobs in the Triangle. ✈️
Dreaming up a trip to the Bahamas? This Spanish Wells private cottage might just be your new happy place. It’s steps from the turquoise water, fully air conditioned, and is rated five stars. Book it as a January getaway or the best holiday gift ever for $299 avg/night. 🌊*

Edu

NC State received a $25 million investment from the private foundation John M. Belk Endowment. The funds will support the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research over the next 10 years. The center focuses on improving NC’s community colleges. (Triangle Business Journal)

Seasonal

Oooh, aaah. Magic of Lights is opening at Coastal Credit Union Music Park on Friday, Nov. 18. The drive-through experience features light displays of holiday scenes and characters and will run through Friday, Dec. 30.

Plan Ahead

Time to get crafty. Cafe Root Cellar is hosting Gingerbread House Decorating Events this December at their Chapel Hill and Pittsboro locations. Join in on the festive fun to decorate a pre-built gingerbread house with lots of candy and icing (all materials are included). Register ($45). 🍬

Today Is

Veterans Day, a federal holiday commemorating people who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The City of Raleigh’s administrative offices will be closed today, Nov. 11. A catered breakfast will be served to the first 60 veterans at John Chavis Memorial Park from 9-10 a.m., followed by a ceremony. 🇺🇸

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Introducing Union West 🚌

Introducing the Raleigh Union Station Bus Facility

A rendering of the Union West development.

Union West is slated for full completion in 2026. | Courtesy of Hoffman & Associates

Hoffman & Associates and GoTriangle unveiled the new name and design for the Raleigh Union Station Bus development in downtown’s Warehouse District.

Say hello to Union West, a mixed-use development that will weave together transit, residential, and retail spaces. The project’s two towers — coming in at more than 600,000 sqft — will be home to 560 apartments, including 10% affordable residences for households at 80% of the area’s median income.

Union West is a joint development with GoTriangle’s Raleigh Union Station bus facility (AKA RUS Bus), which will provide a new transit hub to downtown near the train station. The planned bus depot will have eight bays for GoRaleigh and GoTriangle buses.

The project is located at at the former Dillon Supply property, and will incorporate modern design elements and the existing West Street warehouse facades into its look.

Construction has been underway since April 2022 — the transit facility is expected to open in mid-2025, followed by the first apartments in fall 2025. Union West is slated for full completion in fall 2026.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Anne.

Editor’s pick: This weekend, I’ll be in Washington, D.C. for a concert (I’m seeing The 1975, if you were wondering). Did you know that a new live music venue is coming to Raleigh? Check it out. Bonus: Another concert venue is on the table to be included in a possible development around PNC Arena. 🎸

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Take an international food tour around the Triangle.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Cat George, Anne Tate, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Charis Painter | Advertise with us.

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