Welcome to #VideoFriday. Here at The Black Urbanist and across our other platforms, we will either highlight a great video on placemaking or début one of our own videos, much like we do now on #AudioThursdays. I want to start this series by showing the video below, a very cute and light way to highlight not only working as a community and a team, but the idea of traveling in a group, say on the bus, train or walking together Have a great weekend everyone!
Last week I mentioned going to Winston-Salem for a meeting. Well, that meeting was for the Transit Alliance of the Piedmont, a newish organization growing to provide a citizen advisory role to all of our regional transit systems. We are still working out what we will focus on, but the main goal is clear, we are here to push for better existing transit systems and new transit options throughout the Triad area. We will also keep people informed about current initiatives for transit systems. Follow us on Facebook to keep up with our initiatives and we welcome you at our next meeting. Look to that page or here on Placebook for more information about the date and time.
And now, the news:
News from North Carolina
The City of Greensboro is in need of a new city attorney.
The City of Greensboro is also accepting applications for the citizen’s committee to work with Self-Help Ventures on how to develop the Renaissance Center.
The role of Greensboro’s women in preserving Blandwood.
Guilford County is taking a closer look at the tax valuations of downtown properties.
Raleigh City Council will start having pre-meeting work sessions, and they are looking for a new, probably digital, way to distribute their agendas and addendum.
A new home in Raleigh’s Historic Oakwood has neighbors and others debating whether or not it’s being built historic enough.
Durham has released an open-space plan for its downtown.
Volunteers have come together in Winston-Salem to restore its first black cemetery.
The Carolina Thread Trail is set to begin construction.
Downtown Wilmington business owners are optimistic for 2014.
North Carolina public school vouchers have been halted by a judge.
News and Lessons from Elsewhere
Should Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood be a historic district? Some are happy for the idea and others fear further gentrification.
The DC Metro Silver Line project is set to get a 1.9 billion federal loan to finish the line out to Dulles Airport.
Hotel lobbies are billing themselves as hangout spots, much like coffee shops and bars with happy hours.