Thanks to a twist in proceedings, Red Hat Amp could still be demolished.
ICYMI, Red Hat Amphitheater is still at risk of being lost, due to a rare (and unfortunate) twist in City Council proceedings.
The South Street plan is now slated to be voted on a second—and hopefully final—time Oct. 15, with the same consequences as before if the vote fails (bye-bye, Red Hat Amp). So, if you’re wondering how this happened—after weeks of advocating for the amphitheater and celebrating an apparent victory—we break it down for you.
This vote is only a recommendation to City Council, and council members are not required to accept their decision. And, so, on Oct. 15, the Comprehensive Plan amendment will head back to council for approval, without the recommendation of the Planning Commission.
As a result, like before, if this City Council vote does not pass, the Red Hat Amphitheater expansion project is dead, meaning the amphitheater would be demolished for good and Live Nation is likely to take their booking outside of Raleigh.
So, what can you do to support the amphitheater and help (finally) put the issue to rest? Show up at the Oct. 15 City Council meeting wearing red. A large in-person presence will show Raleigh is still paying attention—and isn’t going to let this issue fly under the radar. Once again, let’s band together to save Red Hat Amphitheater.
Red Hat Amphitheater lives on! (Pause for applause and happy tears.) Raleigh City Council voted unanimously (with exception of the absent Mary Black of District A and Christina Jones of District E) to expand and update the popular DTR concert venue—and close the one highly debated block of South Street necessary to prevent Red Hat Amp from shuttering permanently.
The planned expansion will accommodate ~1,000 more seats and a larger loading dock and backstage area, as well as increased concessions, with the project slated for a late Q1 2025 groundbreaking and a reopening in 2026—just in time for outdoor concert season (!).
That said, expansion will have its obstacles, as pointed out by concerned residents of the surrounding neighborhoods. The city is working with NCDOT to offset the closure of the block of South Street—also slated for Q1 2025—with a yet-to-be-approved slip lane connecting Dawson and McDowell streets, which is estimated to cost $2–3 million.
“The money is there, but we need to figure out what pocket to take it from, such as Capital Reserves,” says Jonathan Melton, member at-large. “My primary goal here is to maintain as much connectivity for South Street as possible. And I think that connector will help with that, and also, to improve the condition for bicycles, pedestrians, wheelchairs, scooters and strollers in that area.” Melton, as well as council member Corey Branch of District C, also suggested incorporating some sort of significant nod to the history of the Fourth Ward.
Despite the remaining details , the health and future of Downtown has been saved, with Red Hat Amp and all its economic impact ($17.5 mil in 2023!) staying put in our city’s center to benefit surrounding small businesses, restaurants, bars and breweries—not to mention Raleighites near and far. Let the music play on!
Bloomberg Philanthropies helping Raleigh advance green infrastructure—and leveling the playing field for all.
“Expensive” is a phrase often used around discussions regarding infrastructure, especially when it comes to overcoming the climate change crisis. But change is on the horizon.
Enter the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative. Launched in March to utilize local solutions so cities can build economically thriving communities with low-carbon emissions, the initiative is leveling the playing field for Raleighites and will ultimately help “close the racial wealth gap, address affordability and entrepreneurship, and build a more equitable and resilient community,” notes Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin.
As one of only 25 cities selected to participate in the three-yearlong project funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Raleigh was selected based on “the city’s leadership and ambition to build resilient equitable communities,” per the charitable org.
As part of the funding, the city will receive an innovation team (dubbed an “i-team”) to provide knowledge and direction in terms of data analysis, insight development, human-centered design and project management. Read: Amping up our city’s capability to progress toward promoting equitable outcomes and climate mitigation. The i-team will also assist Raleigh with growing leadership piloting sustainable and efficient affordable housing, equitable access to electric vehicles, and infrastructure while accelerating the transition to clean energy.
To boot, the project includes an in-depth customized policy and technical assistance in collaboration with community-based organizations and local stakeholders, thus utilizing public and private investments to achieve its goals.
Thanks to the work the city has put in up to this point, Raleigh is already a leader in pioneering solutions to overcome racial wealth inequity and climate change, with more community advancement on the way thanks to the initiative.
“We are honored Raleigh has been selected for this program, recognizing the many innovative ways we are already tackling today’s biggest challenges,” adds Baldwin. Cheers to greener pastures and positive change for the city!
After serving two terms, Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin has announced she is not running for reelection. In an exclusive video, Baldwin shares her difficult decision not to run again due to personal and family health concerns.
“Raleigh is growing—that’s an inescapable fact,” says Mayor Baldwin. “We’ve got a lot going for us. I look forward to seeing who decides to step forward to offer themselves to serve our great city. We need to support candidates who have experience in government and the know-how to keep Raleigh moving forward.”
In the video, the mayor thoughtfully reflects on her nearly 15 years serving on the Raleigh City Council—as well as her hopes for the city to fulfill its high potential moving forward. Watch the full announcement video below.
Cooper Charitable Foundation is now providing housing stability grants to Raleighites in need.
“There is housing around us. It’s just not always affordable.” So says John Cooper, founder of the Cooper Charitable Foundation, a recently debuted nonprofit with a mission to provide support to locals who need help to secure housing or remain in their homes via housing stability grants.
The foundation’s operations will be overseen by longtime affordable housing advocate Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, who is positioned to further her passion for positive change via her recently instated role as executive director. “This spoke to me because of the mission,” shares Baldwin. “I’ve been working on affordable housing, housing choice and providing more housing—that’s been my top priority since I’ve served on the city council and as mayor—so this seemed to be a natural progression. And I have to say, I’m really excited.”
The grants—poised to provide more immediate housing assistance—will operate as a means of bridging the gap for those working to meet their expenses but unable to keep up. Essentially, if someone can afford a rent payment of $600 per month and applicable housing options cost $900, the housing stability grant provides that $300 difference. Note: The grants run between one to six months, with each amount given dependent on the situation at hand.
Cooper, also the president of Cooper Tacia General Contracting, has a personal stake in the cause that led to the founding of this benevolent endeavor. Growing up, his mother worked multiple jobs and struggled to get by while experiencing domestic violence, and his grandmother lived on a meager fixed income. And, so, when his grandmother passed, Cooper sought a way to memorialize her, landing on the cause for housing assistance due to the steadiness she offered him during his youth.
“She provided a lot of stability for me in a childhood that was often chaotic,” he recalls. “That was the foundation of me going to college, starting a company and pretty much every achievement I’ve ever had.”
Truly paying kindness forward, Cooper is now funneling a personal contribution to the cause by making the first $100,000 donation—plus covering all overhead expenses—with the foundation’s first public fundraising event slated to take place June 12 at Mulino.
What’s more, the Cooper Charitable Foundation is teaming up with a trio of local nonprofit organizations: Wake Tech’s Fostering Bright Futures program, Oak City Cares and Healing Transitions to assist with verifying circumstances, identifying locals in need and connecting them in a process positioned to fulfill grant requests fast.
“These organizations are working with the people needing the grants—and they know them,” says Cooper. Adds Baldwin: “We are looking to get this streamlined and simple [in partnership with] organizations that do this all the time.”
Fueled by the mission to spark positive generational change in families, Cooper’s inspiration stems from a desire to show those in need there are people out there who care. “To put your hand out and tell someone, ‘You matter’—that’s a lot of encouragement to folks.” Clearly, caring about your community carries power indeed.
