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Great thoughts and both valid arguments that illustrate the difficulty leaders/cities have in decision making. I'm not privy to the geographic footprint of Greenville. I wonder how it compares to other cities we aspire too. I don't know a lot more than I know, but IMO density is a the future especially for smaller urban areas to prevent the degradation of existing neighborhoods. There is certainly more to it than just density and HP91 mentioned. I do not know the value of having schools in the city limits vs out...
That being said, making a plan and sticking to the plan should make these decisions easier.
Honestly, it shouldn’t that difficult of a decision to make though I can totally understand why the city would desire to grow it’s tax-base by approving this subdivision, among others. The City of Greenville desires to be like Greenville, SC and we’re modeling our economic development office off their efforts. But SC has very strict annexation laws on their books, so Greenville, SC is about 27 Sq miles and therefore there’s a lot of infield construction happening.
We need to be focused on smart-growth. Pitt County needs to help us fund the expansion of GREAT so we can increase frequency, routes, provide shelters, etc. We can have dense, mixed use along bus routes instead of having more suburban subdivisions that aren’t even that popular today. But that requires saying “hey, that $1,000,000 in extra revenue is nice, but it doesn’t align with our goals.”
Honestly, it shouldn’t that difficult of a decision to make though I can totally understand why the city would desire to grow it’s tax-base by approving this subdivision, among others. The City of Greenville desires to be like Greenville, SC and we’re modeling our economic development office off their efforts. But SC has very strict annexation laws on their books, so Greenville, SC is about 27 Sq miles and therefore there’s a lot of infield construction happening.
We need to be focused on smart-growth. Pitt County needs to help us fund the expansion of GREAT so we can increase frequency, routes, provide shelters, etc. We can have dense, mixed use along bus routes instead of having more suburban subdivisions that aren’t even that popular today. But that requires saying “hey, that $1,000,000 in extra revenue is nice, but it doesn’t align with our goals.”
I agree with your thinking...however, there are so many other factors DICTATING where growth is occurring. One of Greenville's biggest issue's is the lack of Interstate type roads to handle the capacity of growth. It has virtually none. The Southwest bypass is almost done and is a major regional road. Growth will go toward it towards the West.
But in the Southeastern part of Pitt County (which by the way Pitt has so much farmland to grow on, so not as many geographical boundaries) where the schools are considered good, more and more farmland gets developed into subdivisions. And its not like Greenville isnt adding multi family closer in town. It is, whether on Firetower Rd or downtown. Where does single family housing get built in the current city limits? There is no place for it. So you go to the outskirts.
But the State has not released any long term plans for transportation around Greenville....its not even keeping up with the widening of some existing roads, although maybe in 10 years we will see it. So think about where that future Interstate connector will be located in this area...and then think about this being 5 miles out...
The reality is that it isnt 5 miles out. Its probably inside a future beltway around Greenville. Blame the State for that. They put off stuff for so long, Greenville continues to sprawl.
GREENVILLE- Contractors for the N.C. Department of Transportation will continue work on a Pitt County road today.
Crews are milling and paving Evans Street, from Red Banks Road to Greenville Boulevard. One lane in each direction will remain open. The work is expected to be complete this evening.
Drivers are asked to use an alternate route if possible and slow down when approaching the work zone.
I see on Mayor Connelly's facebook page, the city will charge the contractor in charge of the Arlington Blvd project $1000 a day for not meeting the completion date. Good for the city, this is going to be a mess for Rose High...
Quote:
Arlington Boulevard, one of our main thoroughfares, is being reconditioned for traffic volume. I recently learned that the project has been delayed. According to Public Works and the contractor, the section in front of J.H. Rose High School will not be completed until mid-October. That is disheartening news and I am, to say the least, unhappy with the revised timeline.
Upon accepting on 9 May the bid amount for this project, we also approved a completion date of August 15th for Phase I (Hooker Road to Evans Street). Stretching out construction for an additional two months is unacceptable, especially in light of easily anticipated logistical difficulties for the return of students to Rose High. Starting on 2 September, the contractor will be charged by the City of Greenville $1,000/day in liquidated damages until phase completion. Moreover, the City of Greenville will take additional measures to ensure the safety of Rose High commuters by placing police officers at potential bottlenecks for as long as necessary to ease traffic flow and minimize inconvenience.
As always, thank you for your continued patience as we address our infrastructure needs. It's a busy time in Greenville, but it's a time of growth and progress. Be that as it may, I assure you that contractors will be held responsible for failure to complete projects in approved timelines. Maximizing value and convenience for you, the Greenville citizen and taxpayer, is the main motivation behind #GreenvilleMeansBusiness, and I will not stop working on your behalf.
City council presentation the other night about creating an entertainment district within Uptown, as well as parking recommendations, and a proposal for a New Year's eve celebration at the Town Commons
Lanoca Coffee opens its institute in Farmville per the Times-Leader. They've needed a true shop for a while. Glad they're going to end up a part of Farmville's ongoing downtown growth.
GREENVILLE – Part of a Pitt County road will close for a day this week so N.C. Department of Transportation contractors can install water lines under the road as part of the Southwest Bypass project.
Frog Level Road will be closed near Turnage Lane, between Bell Arthur Road and U.S. 13/264 Alternate, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15.
People wishing to access Frog Level Road from U.S. 13/264A will be detoured 1.5 miles along Bell Arthur Road to return to Frog Level Road. In the opposite direction, the detour will follow Bell Arthur Road and U.S. 13/264A to access Frog Level Road on the east side of the project site.
Drivers should slow down and be cautious near the work zone and allow for extra travel time because of the detour.
City council presentation the other night about creating an entertainment district within Uptown, as well as parking recommendations, and a proposal for a New Year's eve celebration at the Town Commons
For clarity's sake - would the entertainment district be similar to Uptown when it was still downtown Gville? Lots of bars and clubs in close proximity?
Also, I really like the uptick and usage of The Emerald City as the moniker for Greenville. I have seen in on the official media outlets and I love the Emerald drop proposal for New Years.
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