Raleigh Mayor Outlines Plan for City's Progress

Raleigh, N.C. — Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker focused on open space and downtown parking in his State of the City address on Monday.

Meeker wants to hire a consultant and appoint a citizens committee to improve the situation. One plan the city will consider is charging drivers to park on the street, and making parking decks less expensive or possibly free.

Many motorists have complained about parking issues in the downtown area. Some complaints involve the lack of parking spaces while others complain they are being targeted by aggressive meter readers.

"I kind of dreaded coming down here today to get something because I knew it wouldn't be a quick process," said downtown patron Meredith Ellis.

Meeker discussed his desire to connect 28 miles of greenway along the Neuse River from Falls Lake Dam to Johnston County.

The greenway plan may take a $30 million or $40 million bond referendum. If the city council agrees, it could be on the ballot in October. Meeker said he will also work to get state and federal grants for the greenway project.

Meeker delivered the speech to a Rotary Club meeting held at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

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Latest Comments

Maybe he'll brag about how he gave his cops a cost of living increase below the rate of inflation and increased their health insurance premiums all in the same year! Or maybe he'll tout how he's been able to get away with not paying overtime to his employee's.

The Dude
January 22, 2007 5:56 p.m.

I'm just curious nthomas42. What do you consider was the biggest waste of money downtown?

neptunescourt
January 22, 2007 2:51 p.m.

" i hereby Declare, that all of our residents shall get screwed each and every day by the local Governments rediculous tax-wasting projects.. I promise you that local business can do it better than Government" btw---directions to the JFK museum...back and to the left

clackymcsplatter
January 22, 2007 1:49 p.m.

Well you wasted several millions redoing downtown and now u figured you had a parking problem. You so smart-- you figure that out by yourself of did someone tell you. Should have done the parking problem first. You got the cart before you thought about needing a horse. Good thinking