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GENERAL INFORMATION
WAKE TECH
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION
WAKE TECH
The following information is provided by Wake Technical Community College:
What is the Wake Tech bond?
With five campuses and dozens of community sites across Wake County, Wake Tech is bursting at the seams. Enrollment is projected to grow from 57,000 in 2007 to more than 78,000 in 2015, an increase of 40 percent. To accommodate that growth, Wake Tech will need to repair and upgrade many campus buildings – and build some new ones. Wake Tech will need $115 million to cover the required repairs and new construction in the next four years.
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What Wake Tech buildings need repair?
Many of the buildings on Wake Tech’s Main Campus, on US Highway 401, were constructed in the 1970s and 80s. Not surprisingly, the roofing, lighting, plumbing, electrical systems, heating and air conditioning, and fire alarm systems in these buildings have reached their life expectancy and must be replaced. In the Student Services Building Conference Area, carpeting needs replacing because of high foot traffic from students, staff, and visitors, and additional office furniture and equipment are needed as services are added and staffing increases.
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What new buildings are needed?
New construction planned for Wake Tech includes:
- A 100,000-square-foot instructional building on the Health Sciences Campus for the nursing and radiography programs, a new simulation lab, and other allied sciences programs.
- A parking deck for the Health Sciences Campus, critical as programs continue to grow.
- A 65,000-square-foot building on the Northern Wake Campus, along with access roads and parking space, to accommodate new and innovative instructional programs, such as Informatics and Pervasive Computing.
- Renovations on a 100,000-square-foot building at the Public Safety Training Center on Chapanoke Road to create space for classrooms, a mock courtroom and jail, and a facility for training Public Safety and Emergency Medical personnel.
- Upfitting of the Child Care Center on Main Campus, for a physical education facility, along with the construction of an 8,344-square-foot addition to provide space for basketball, volleyball, and other sports and physical education programs.
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Why is it important to fund Wake Tech’s capital improvement plan?
Wake Tech must continue to grow, because Wake County continues to grow – at a very impressive rate. Wake Tech’s mission is to meet the needs of the community for world-class educational programs and workforce training. To continue to meet those growing and ever-evolving needs, Wake Tech must improve facilities and build new ones. The people of Wake County can help Wake Tech fulfill that mission of service to the community and continue its positive impact on the Triangle’s economy by making sure that adequate resources are available to keep up with future demand.
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Is this the first time a bond referendum has included funds for Wake Tech?
No. In 2004, Wake County residents were asked to support a $40-million bond, much of which was used to begin construction on Wake Tech’s Northern Wake Campus. Voters approved that measure by 73.8%, and construction began. Wake Tech’s Northern Wake Campus opens to students in August. For additional information about that campus, visit http://northerncampus.waketech.edu/faqs.php.
In November 2006, Wake County voters approved a $970 million bond issue that addressed the need for more public schools to accommodate Wake County’s student growth (the Wake County Public School System is adding about 8,000 students per year). That bond did not include any funding for Wake Tech.
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What will happen if the bond is not approved?
In the short term, Wake Tech will continue to offer the educational programs and workforce training for which it is well known – programs the community needs and has come to expect Wake Tech to deliver. In time, however, operating costs will continue to grow, and health and safety issues may emerge that require action. Leaking roofs, failing HVAC systems, and restrooms that do not meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards are unacceptable, and repairs and quick fixes, like patches on a 30-year old roof, will not be cost effective.
In the long term, if Wake Tech cannot address its maintenance and new construction needs, it may be unable to keep up with the evolving educational and workforce training needs of the Triangle’s competitive business community. Industry will decline if there are not enough qualified workers; jobs will, in turn, be lost, and a vicious cycle might ensue in which the region will be less and less able to attract new industry and provide new jobs. This would have a negative impact on the economy and recovery likely would be very difficult.
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Why doesn’t Wake Tech use its existing budget to pay for these capital improvement projects?
The building and maintenance of facilities is primarily a local responsibility for North Carolina's 58 community colleges. Such projects are not typically included in county budgets. Wake County’s fiscal year 2008 budget appropriates $17.5 million for Wake Tech to cover standard operating costs, but does not include additional funding to cover construction and other capital improvement projects. The Board of Commissioners has approved Wake Tech’s $115-million capital plan, and decided to ask voters to authorize bonds for $92 million of that. The remainder will be paid in cash from the County’s general fund.
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Why are some classes at Wake Tech so small? It seems it would be more efficient to have larger classes.
Class sizes at Wake Tech vary for many reasons, most having to do with the topic being taught and whether there are regulatory or accreditation
requirements associated with them. For instance, students in clinical settings (such as nursing students) are earning accreditations that require small numbers of students per class in order to meet health and safety regulations. Also, much of the advanced technology used in today's training for public safety professionals, such as life-saving equipment used by Emergency Medical Technicians or X-ray and other machines used by radiology/MRI technicians, require individual, hands-on training opportunities, which limits the class and training session capacity.
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Does Wake Tech have independent oversight of capital programs?
Yes. While there is no board specifically assigned to Wake Tech only, there are plenty of other oversight bodies at work. Wake Tech is part of the state's community college system, and as such is funded with tax dollars. The Wake County Board of Commissioners provides oversight through its budget process, and we also are held accountable by the NC Community College System Office, the State Auditor, and the State Construction Office, among others.
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PUBLIC LIBRARIES
The following information is provided by Wake County Government:
Why is the County planning to build more libraries?
The Wake County Public Library System’s two bookmobiles and 19 libraries, which include six regional facilities, are being stretched to their limits to deal with citizen demand in a County that adds more than 35,000 people every year (on average, 98 people per day). Wake’s system is one of the most heavily used in the state, circulating more than 9.2 million books annually and providing more than 5,000 youth and adult programs each year. The County also provides more than 900 computer terminals through the libraries, of which more than 500 allow users free access to the Internet.
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How was the decision made to build more libraries?
Wake County Public Libraries are guided by a long-term business plan. The most recent version of this Master Plan was completely rewritten and presented to the Board of Commissioners on June 4, 2007. Wake County has been building libraries since the mid-1980s. Many of these facilities are in need of renovation. Therefore, in addition to providing for new libraries in high growth areas, the Master Plan outlines renovations and expansions of existing facilities.
Over the years, the system continually has sought input from the public and staff about the services Wake Public Libraries should provide. A symposium on the future of the public library was held to gather ideas, and inventories of library facilities, focus groups and other studies provide additional data.
Wake County residents approved the use of bonds to pay for libraries in 1993 ($10 million) and in 2003 ($35 million).
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How would the funds be used if the proposed October 2007 bond is approved?
The bond proceeds would be used to build new branch libraries in Middle Creek, Morrisville and North Hills, and expand or replace the existing Cary, Fuquay-Varina and Wake Forest branches. Repairs and/or renovations would be done at East Regional (Knightdale), Southeast Regional (Garner) and the Green Road, Olivia Raney, Richard B. Harrison, Wendell and Zebulon branches.
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With advances in technology, will the public library continue to be used?
Focus groups and verbal feedback from customers clearly indicate a belief that public libraries and their services will continue to be used. There is strong support for current services, with books (including audiobooks) and reading consistently mentioned as the most important. The library as a place that one enjoys to visit is also consistently mentioned. Additionally, Wake County Public Libraries have incorporated technology into the system on a widespread basis. The system has more than 900 public computers available, and more than 500 of these offer free access to the Internet.
The 2007 Master Plan makes a number of observations regarding the use of libraries and technology.
Key points and findings of the 2007 Master Plan include:
- The system is reaching its limit for the size and use of its collection, which is demonstrated through national comparison of volumes per square foot and circulation per square foot.
- The system services are in line with peer libraries of similar size.
- The County’s continued commitment to invest in the library system is necessary to reach those areas that are underserved.
- An emerging trend is the shift to customer self-service, which is a result of customer’s expectations and an effort to utilize resources more efficiently.
- Technological advances such as Radio Frequency Identification, electronic databases, and the Internet are shaping the future of public libraries. However, careful consideration must be given to these and other technologies before they are implemented.
- Changing lifestyles and new technology have not reduced the need for public libraries. This is demonstrated through figures showing circulation continues to increase nationwide.
- Public library’s future is books.
The library system adheres to these core philosophies and beliefs:
- Because introducing the young child to books and reading at the earliest age has greatest impact on that child’s lifelong literacy and academic success, services to children remain the top priority of the system.
- Because users continue to tell us of its importance, and because analysis of system use confirms the user’s reports, recreational reading remains a fundamental system service.
- Because students of all ages use the library for curriculum support and as a source for building knowledge about interests they have, the library remains a center of lifelong learning.
- Because users have expressed a desire for this function, because other libraries have demonstrated the effectiveness of this effort, and because there is a need for this function within the various areas of the county, the library operates as a community center.
- Because libraries are located throughout the county and because they have more than 500 PCs for individual use, and because these machines provide access to all PC-based services from word processing to the Internet, the library will continue to bridge the technology gap.
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What are some new and innovative services you offer?
The library system has implemented several services that have proved extremely popular, including adding audiobooks to its collection, on-line reservation and renewal services, and self-checkouts that save patrons time.
Additionally, the Library System is operating as one virtual library in the sense that any book may be returned to any library in the system (other than its original checkout location), and the books are returned to the shelves of the receiving library. Previously, books were returned to their original library site. The Libraries have cut the transportation costs by one-third, and patrons are still able to have books delivered to their local library upon request.
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OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION
The following information is provided by Wake County Government:
Why do we need an open space preservation program?
Last year in Wake County, about 10,000-13,000 acres of land were converted into subdivisions, shopping centers, and business parks or some use other than open space. That’s about 35 acres a day, or nearly 1.5 acres per hour. On average, 98 people are added to Wake County’s population every day (about 35,000 per year), including people moving here and being born here. Given the strong local economy and population projections for the future, this pace of development is unlikely to change. This growth and development is crucial to Wake County’s economy, but County leaders know it’s important to strike a balance by preserving open space at the same time, especially in areas that would help protect the quality of our water supply. Open space needs to be planned for, the same as roads, water and sewer treatment services, schools and other essential components of infrastructure. We also know that land costs are likely to continue rising, so it is more cost effective to advance open space efforts now.
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What is open space?
Open space is a protected system of natural and cultural resources provided and maintained to benefit residents, businesses and visitors. The Wake County Open Space Program is designed to preserve lands such as forests, meadows, fields, wetlands, floodplains, stream corridors and other areas that are to remain relatively undisturbed. The top priority of this program is to protect and improve water quality by safeguarding lakes, rivers and streams.
Types of Open Space:
- Water Quality Areas - Wetlands, vegetated stream buffers, floodplains, and other watershed lands that retain floodwaters, filter waterborne pollutants, help recharge underground aquifers, and protect aquatic habitats for fish, freshwater mussels, etc.
- Greenways - A system of trails that link residential, commercial and business landscapes to parks, preserves, and open spaces. This greenway system can accommodate bicyclists, in-line skaters, joggers, pedestrians, equestrians, and/or mountain bikers.
- Passive Recreation Parks - Areas that provide for outdoor passive recreation and education.
- Historic Areas - Historic landscapes that preserve the region’s cultural heritage for the purpose of preservation and education.
- Natural Areas - Habitats protected for native plants and animals that cannot live in urban or suburban environments.
- Farm and Forest Land - Protect cultivated landscapes that produce food and fiber, contribute to the rural economy, and support a rural way of life. Also for the purpose of protecting the rural character of the area.
The Wake County Consolidated Open Space Plan (March 2003) defines open space as “protected lands and waters that are owned and managed by the County, its public sector partners, the municipal governments of Wake County, State of North Carolina, the United States government, and the County's private sector partners, including non-profit land trusts. Open space consists of any parcel or area of land and water that is devoted to 1) the preservation of natural re-sources; 2) the managed production of resources (forest and farm land); 3) outdoor recreation; 4) preservation of historic and cultural property; 5) protection of scenic landscapes; and 6) protection of public health, safety and welfare.”
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What is the County’s plan to preserve open space?
In 1997, the Board of Commissioners appointed a task force to study the issue of open space preservation. The task force presented its findings to the Board in summer of 1998, and an Open Space Advisory Committee was formed. The County then began working on a countywide Consolidated Open Space Plan, which is now finished. This plan means that for the first time, citizens have worked together on a “greenprint for the future,” which knits together the County’s open space plan with those of all 12 Wake County municipalities. This unique plan provides for open space protection on a large scale from a countywide perspective. The main focus for preserving open space is creating “green” corridors along the County’s main watersheds for the protection of water quality and natural ecosystems.
Wake County’s goal is to protect a minimum of 30 percent of the county’s land area or roughly 165,000 acres. Wake County has currently preserved about 3,580 acres within water corridors, about 25,243 acres of private open space, and 12,000- 15,000 acres through development processes, and around 12,000 acres through other methods, which totals about 56,000 acres – or about 10 percent of the county’s total land area.
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Why do we need this if we already have parks and greenways and regulations in place, such as zoning regulations or those regarding floodplains?
It is true that zoning regulations can be one tool to help protect water quality by restricting development too close to the water supply. Also, we currently have many areas that preserve open space and offer recreational uses, such as Umstead State Park, Blue Jay Point and the County’s other parks, and many city and town parks around the county. However, given that the top priority of this program is to protect and improve water quality in Wake County, we need to take a multi-pronged approach to preserving open space. We need to consider stricter zoning regulations, and we need to act as a partner in acquiring land now to preserve these areas for the future. Besides the environmental benefits, preserving open space also provides important recreational benefits through passive recreation* parks and greenways, protects wildlife and plant species, and preserves important cultural and historic resources. We have many unique areas that make Wake County special, and it is important to maintain our unique character.
- Active – consists of structured high impact and consummative activities; relies heavily on infrastructure, facilities, and/or developed surfaces; is the primary use of a property that was set aside for parks and recreation purposes.
- Passive – consists of unstructured, low-impact, and non-consummative activities; requires minimal or no infrastructure, facilities, and/or developed surfaces; does not include the ability to provide for organized sporting facilities (such as baseball diamonds, soccer fields, football fields); does not allow for the use of motorized vehicles (except for those needed by the physically impaired to access passive recreation opportunities; does not include structures such as pools, marinas, paved lots or trails, community centers, office buildings, playgrounds, ect; does not allow for any activity that disturbs sensitive environmental resources.
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Why can’t someone else do this, like a private or nonprofit organization?
Other organizations are interested in protecting the environment and open space, and all play vital roles. However, few environmental organizations actually acquire land for preservation purposes. Because local government plays a vital role in protecting the environment and planning for the future, we must be a partner in this effort. No single group or organization can tackle this issue alone, and we get more for our money if we work together. We will acquire the land ourselves or will rely heavily on partnerships with municipalities and non-profit organizations for open space preservation.
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What have you done with this program so far?
Wake County has used general budget funds and proceeds from voter-approved referenda of $15 million in 2000 and $26 million in 2004 to foster partnerships with municipalities, state agencies and nonprofits to preserve land as open space. So far, 3,548 acres worth $62.2 million have been acquired; of this amount, $36.5 million has been County funding. Some partners have included Apex, Cary, Raleigh, Wake Forest and Wendell, along with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources.
Some Open Space Preservation Program accomplishments to date include:
- Partnership with the City of Raleigh to preserve 182 acres in the Swift Creek corridor, between Lake Benson and Lake Wheeler. This area is important to water supply and quality.
- Purchase of 116 acres with the Town of Cary on White Oak Church Road; this is in the important Jordan Lake Watershed.
- The pastoral 117-acre Joyner Farm, purchased with the Town of Wake Forest.
- Future site of a municipal park with connections to the American Tobacco Trail, purchased with the Town of Apex (Holleman tract).
- A 252-acre parcel, in partnership with the State of North Carolina, to expand Clemmons Educational State Forest into Wake County. This area will protect water quality, provide recreational opportunities and be used as a research area by North Carolina State University.
- A 116-acre parcel, in partnership with the State of North Carolina, to expand Umstead Park.
- Protection of the Marks Creek area, a watershed that straddles the Wake and Johnston County lines, in partnership with the Trust for Public Lands and the Triangle Land Conservancy. So far, 872.8 acres have been protected.
- A 50/50 partnership with the City of Raleigh for the purchase of Randleigh Farm, a property of North Carolina State University. The 480 acres in the Neuse River Corridor will be used for public education, parks and recreation, and open space purposes.
- Wake County has also acquired land within these watershed corridors:
- Little River Corridor: 282 acres
- Lowery Creek Corridor: 165 acres
- Beaver Creek Corridor: 109 acres
- Cedar Fork Creek Corridor: 110 acres
- Hominy Creek Corridor: 7.7 acres
- Steep Hill Creek Corridor: 126 acres
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If you create certain open spaces or greenways, how does that affect property values? Will it affect homeowners’ privacy?
Homes that are built along greenways or amenities such as parks or golf courses tend to be more attractive to buyers, so the property value increases with the open space nearby. The sales prices of lots and building units in these types of areas have consistently higher sales prices nationwide. Here in the Triangle area, comparative sales have been researched and show that the lots not only have higher value but also sell more quickly (source: National Park Service Research Reports). The privacy decision is one that only an individual can make, as some people love living near greenways and some people prefer not to. Greenways offer the advantage of being a “managed use,” meaning they are managed and maintained. We also make every effort to provide buffers, whether natural vegetation (shrubs and other plantings) or actual fencing, as appropriate for safety and privacy. For instance, the American Tobacco Trail plans call for fencing in certain areas to create a buffer between the trail and people’s yards.
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How do you decide which land to acquire?
The County has identified the watersheds geographically in our area. The watersheds have been further classified in terms of identifying those that are the most critical to the protection of our water supply. We use criteria to evaluate each acquisition, such as location, water quality protection potential, linkage to other parcels, accessibility, aesthetic quality, threat of loss to development, size, rarity and use potential. Other criteria include cost, management potential, potential for partnerships, and parcel configuration.
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Doesn’t this actually cost us by taking this land off the tax rolls? Should we let the land be developed so more taxes are paid?
Some of the land can be acquired in fee simple, but in many cases we use other methods of protection. Some examples are conservation easements that prevent any disturbance of the open space; purchase of development rights, which would prevent any type of commercial or residential construction; and easements that allow public access but also allow the property owner certain privileges. It is true that land owned by local government is not taxable, but there are some offsetting benefits to open space that provide a good return on our investment. For instance, open space and additional recreational and leisure opportunities make the area more attractive to businesses and industries, and also to families seeking a high quality of life. We don’t have to provide services to these areas, which saves money. Also, if we do a good job of protecting our drinking water supply, it requires less treatment, which saves money in the long run.
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Learn more about each:
Wake County Public Libraries:
$45 million
Wake Technical Community College:
$92 million
Wake County Open Space:
$50 million
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