[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6643341,"mediaKeyId","2532492-b8a512e7a1dace581996775a3b591623","parentId",2532492,"title","Wake County proposes Southgate library replacement with stronger digital services after debate over standalone digital equity center","audioSeconds",1183,"startMs",8441000,"endMs",9624000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532492-b8a512e7a1dace581996775a3b591623&start=8441&end=9624","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532492-b8a512e7a1dace581996775a3b591623/thumbnail_8441000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6643341/Wake-County/North-Carolina/Wake-County-proposes-Southgate-library-replacement-with-stronger-digital-services-after-debate-over-standalone-digital-equity-center","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643341-2417670efc75133c0f6ad888578c99f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770950847&Signature=kjQbE5Vw4o1-Pqnp2ScMmi4C5YdCkkp1cbZyHiwPJ5yF-6eAubPZKob3jsae735gxRiJb29dfJytHEq6mNcuWD9BDX2LLullYQsC27gYKq8nahaRclBXNeSTXg43Zjdq6D~5dFzSBNAkT3BCKgmbwKEsacdCBz-Ew7sBtQQbJKH~5DHZoYXLqicZr3TOO9jUUEvBuH2c-pv4CH~D7vph1vG~29LQ72D9r2woMkXJjba2yyH43rYMUG-7iFYPt55ILxpB2msdEiO6izuqhKjxuGAlH~pr~ogBWjf615Bw8MQYeQSUJFcsNKQISweIkM~W2ZC43D3l0nHiuxdvG1WQ3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wake County","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","Wake County library staff presented timelines and options for 14 library projects funded by a voter-approved $142,000,000 bond and sought direction on a single “to be determined” (TBD) project: a stand-alone Digital Equity Center or a replacement of the Southgate Community Library using the bond’s prototype (a 12,000-square-foot facility).

\"The bond voters approved a hundred and $42,000,000 and that was for a total of 14 different, bond funded projects,\" Matt Roylance briefed the board, noting the library system includes 23 branches and that the bond funds cover a mix of new buildings, an expansion and renovations across the system.

What staff said
- System size and coverage: Wake County has 23 libraries (11 in Raleigh), and county planning uses a 10-minute drive-time goal. Roylance said current coverage is roughly 85% of residents; projects in the bond would raise coverage to about 89%.
- Prototype and sizing: staff said the bond-funded new libraries will use an updated community-branch prototype of about 12,000 square feet (an up-size from prior ~8,000 sq. ft. community branches) to add enclosed programming space, teen areas and more public PCs.
- Computers and digital access: staff reported about 373 public internet computers in the system, 81 catalog computers, and about 16 public computers currently at Southgate. Tammy Badgett said the county had been awarded a two-year digital championship grant for nearly $400,000 to pilot device lending (Chromebooks and hotspots) and fund two positions: a \"digital literacy navigator\" and a device-support technician.

The TBD choice: digital center vs Southgate replacement
Tammy Badgett framed the two TBD options. She said a Digital Equity Center would provide dedicated space and staff for technology training, makerspace-style equipment and more advanced software and devices. \"This would allow an opportunity to foster additional partnerships that are specific to digital equity,\" she said.

For a Southgate replacement, Badgett noted constraints at the current location (a shopping-center lease) and argued a larger, purpose-built 12,000-sq.-ft. prototype would expand programming rooms, computers, meeting space and collection capacity in Southeast Raleigh. Commissioner Waters, who represents the area, described the current site and urged replacement: \"It broke my heart to see that level of resource for a community that sees such literacy disparities,\" she said, noting vulnerable neighborhoods and proximity to Title I schools.

Commissioner positions and staff response
Commissioners expressed two themes: (1) the strong equity case for a larger Southgate replacement in Southeast Raleigh to address literacy disparities, program space and the cramped current site; and (2) interest in countywide digital-skilling capacity. Several commissioners urged that the Southgate replacement be designed with robust digital-skilling infrastructure, equipment and staffing so it can operate as a local hub for advanced training while distributing basic digital services across other branches.

Staff cautioned the board that bond funding and timing constrained doing both projects simultaneously. Roylance and facilities staff said the original bond program and cost estimates were built around more traditional library standards; adding makerspace infrastructure, vented rooms or extensive specialized technology increases capital costs and could affect the number and order of projects the county can deliver within the approved borrowing.

Timing and sequence
Roylance showed a staggered timeline that limits concurrent major projects, explaining the county plans to sequence two major (new) projects and two smaller (renovation) projects at a time to match county construction staff capacity and to preserve competitive contractor responses. Staff noted Athens Drive has scheduling pressure because construction on the high school campus will start in summer 2026, and staff asked commissioners to confirm sequencing and priorities so site work and design can proceed.

Decisions and next steps
During the session commissioners signaled support for replacing Southgate with a larger, modern branch that incorporates enhanced digital services and programming; staff said they will return with site-selection options, refined cost estimates that reflect upgraded digital infrastructure, and a public engagement schedule. Roylance reminded the board that Southgate’s lease currently runs through June 2028 and that staff will use the lease timeline to coordinate replacement planning.

Provenance: Presentation and Q&A occurred during the March 10, 2025 Wake County Board of Commissioners work session on library bond projects and the TBD site decision.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wake County - Regular - Mar 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Wake County staff asked commissioners to choose whether the bond’s unnamed project should be a stand-alone Digital Equity Center or a replacement for the Southgate Community Library; commissioners signaled support for a Southgate replacement with stronger digital-skilling capacity.","taxTitle","Wake County, North Carolina","taxId",3336,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6643345,"United Arts and consultant present draft Wake County cultural plan; staff urged to expand municipal partnerships and funding",359,2950000,3309000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532492-b8a512e7a1dace581996775a3b591623&start=2950&end=3309","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532492-b8a512e7a1dace581996775a3b591623/thumbnail_2950000.jpg","/articles/6643345/Wake-County/North-Carolina/United-Arts-and-consultant-present-draft-Wake-County-cultural-plan-staff-urged-to-expand-municipal-partnerships-and-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643345-8f8fa863c4f4cc980813a5f7f36f9ec6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770950847&Signature=cYRBxj3-DOBfOlftH5VUHSLhI~0mGAc~tjEXbeuNWwUrTdfy4WDKCTBgBeWrQ6QOIK1bvpIk0vn3~lND1GSO-mfKTvCNLps9GnOP0J2OaxYIUAsn7PQsYvk8HEsT~7yE~RLVMl88VgMyRcLtrE5xO4Z5E3DPW8Av79jlBNt2WL7kmZFfDyW7iz8Yfwq-WLrnya4iaW65RbA5OsJrqETUrB5YJUf0HZYbIx8y5eNF1jhmWIFpRm~zhmRR0xBf3dXaFKmNeusMS65WZ-EyY49vYousuY7lM4BxDTBAWTbybHaonVM6iGhnPAU1bVsV1p2xMdb9Md2nvakz~F2rAxwm3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultants from Cultural Planning Group and staff from United Arts presented a draft cultural plan and community-engagement findings to the Wake County Board of Commissioners on March 10, 2025, asking for commissioner feedback on draft goals and priorities.

Linda Flynn (Cultural Planning Group) said the planning process included a community survey, interviews, and discussions with municipal leaders and arts stakeholders, producing more than 1,700 community survey responses and extensive qualitative input. \"They want creative experiences across the county,\" Flynn said, summarizing public input on access and cultural representation.

Martin Cohen and Flynn outlined a three-goal framework that the consultants said aligns with the county’s strategic plan: (1) strengthen municipal cultural capacity and place-based programming, (2) support a sustainable nonprofit arts and creative economy, and (3) expand access and awareness so residents can find arts opportunities in their communities.

Funding and benchmarking
Consultants showed Wake County’s current per-capita county investment in arts as about $0.42 per resident and compared it to peer counties with substantially higher per-capita support. \"The per capita allocation from each county shown in the fourth column is rather stark,\" Cohen said, urging the county to consider phased increases tied to fiscal planning.

Consultants recommended bolstering United Arts Council’s role as a designated local arts agency and using existing county platforms to coordinate technical assistance and cultural-district-like incentives for affordable space, rehearsal and studio access, and business development support for creative-sector small businesses.

Why it matters: commissioners said the plan would help the county leverage arts and culture to support workforce retention, economic development and quality of life. Commissioners asked the consultants to develop implementation tactics with short-, medium- and long-term milestones and to identify likely partners and funding approaches.

Next steps
Consultants said they will return with a fuller implementation plan and prioritized tactics, including early wins such as public-art toolkits and municipal technical assistance. United Arts staff and consultants said they will involve municipal partners and corporate supporters in implementation steps and align the cultural plan to the county strategic plan.

Provenance: The presentation and Q&A took place during the March 10, 2025 work session and included consultants from Cultural Planning Group and United Arts staff.","United Arts and Cultural Planning Group presented a draft countywide cultural plan that emphasizes municipal capacity building, workforce pathways and support for small/mid-size arts organizations. Consultants highlighted Wake County's low per-capita public arts funding compared with peer counties.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6643350,"Wake County presents preliminary 'Wake Insights' survey: affordable housing, growth and infrastructure top residents' concerns",2413,1731000,4144000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532492-b8a512e7a1dace581996775a3b591623&start=1731&end=4144","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532492-b8a512e7a1dace581996775a3b591623/thumbnail_1731000.jpg","/articles/6643350/Wake-County/North-Carolina/Wake-County-presents-preliminary-Wake-Insights-survey-affordable-housing-growth-and-infrastructure-top-residents-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643350-e189cdc6ec939058a9b0dc97978ed8c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770950847&Signature=Rwtgo-fLde26YoU1F3br2H3E97FZ8Y9ctZTLKzVaLgGpsL5EsDp5j75ARWXsCKu0aIewkPbsKeDjmdyLg5e5LAMLwqgd6waLoFQdFb1USXTS7BdIha-D1ZQIhuFVkg-8CXHa6hIPEis-oUurhfbB7xYTcZcqtHJH8Ieceagy8lbkswTNpxa3RGkEaaxPRqOC8j26wIU-r-5oftQ05otEcb7kYjI5fqzOajFwSBOKGyYlQDqo3IpPKJyYSO3zCzAwUZ06Ez8QyFW1H5GF~T-o8TrFBBdOIu4W52jOB-IUc6KoBCSwpKEBSG-6k~~E6ws84Ka8J0K5J4aUVTPW8CkIAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wake County staff presented initial results from Wake Insights, a countywide community survey, during the March 10 Board of Commissioners work session, saying the technical sample included 1,006 respondents with a 3.1% margin of error.

The survey, which ran from November 2024 through January 2025, was designed to measure resident perceptions rather than service satisfaction. \"A community survey is, really the way our approach to it is a public opinion poll,\" Jason Horton told commissioners, explaining the vendor selection and sampling approach.

Horton said the vendor, ETC Institute, sought a representative statistical sample by gender, age, race, ethnicity, income, education and geography and that the county also provided an open link for additional responses. He said staff plans to share final results with departments and to use the survey to establish baseline metrics for the county’s strategic plan.

Why it matters: commissioners said the findings will shape county priorities and performance targets. Horton said question 1 — an open-ended field asking respondents to name the most important issues — produced a clear ranking. \"Number 1 and 2, affordable housing and homelessness as well as growth management infrastructure are by far the most important issues unprompted that residents stated,\" he said.

Key findings presented by staff
- Sample and margin of error: 1,006 technical respondents, 3.1% margin of error; the vendor also collected additional open-link responses. Horton said the vendor achieved roughly a 15% response rate among mailed samples.
- Veteran status: about 14.4% of respondents reported active-duty or veteran status; Horton said about 4% reported veteran status alone.
- Top issues: unprompted responses ranked affordable housing and homelessness first, and growth management/infrastructure second. Transportation, school funding/public education, public safety, and property taxes/cost of living rounded out the top concerns.
- Service strengths: Fire services, access to clean water (approaching 90%), Wake County EMS, Wake Tech partnerships, parks and libraries scored highly in service-quality questions.
- Housing access: nearly 46% of respondents disagreed with the statement that they could access affordable housing in the county; Horton said that lack of perceived access showed up across income brackets.

Commissioner response and follow-up
Commissioners pressed staff on outreach to vulnerable groups and on sample-size sufficiency for subgroup analysis. Commissioner Waters asked whether people experiencing homelessness were reached; Horton said staff worked with shelters and service providers and that a print option and in-person collection produced additional responses. \"I also went to Healing Transitions... and collected, honestly more surveys than I anticipated,\" Horton said.

On sample size, Horton and commissioners noted statistical tradeoffs: Horton said a representative sample for county-wide results required about 600 responses and that additional responses help only when analyzing small demographic subgroups. He said the county will ask the vendor for geographic aggregation by census tract to support neighborhood-level reporting.

Next steps
Horton said staff will continue cross-tab and geographic analysis, provide results to internal focus teams and departments, and return to commissioners with additional breakdowns and recommendations for follow-up engagement, including demographic and census-tract reporting. He said the county plans to repeat the survey about every two years to measure progress against strategic-plan goals.

Provenance: Initial presentation and detailed discussion with commissioners occurred during the March 10, 2025 Wake County Board of Commissioners work session. The vendor was identified as ETC Institute and staff used the Wake Insights brand for public materials.","County staff showed initial results from the Wake Insights community survey, based on 1,006 technical respondents (3.1% margin of error). Affordable housing and homelessness, and growth/ infrastructure, led unprompted lists of top concerns; staff said results will help set baselines for the county's strategic plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wake County proposes Southgate library replacement with stronger digital services after debate over standalone digital equity center

United Arts and consultant present draft Wake County cultural plan; staff urged to expand municipal partnerships and funding

Wake County presents preliminary 'Wake Insights' survey: affordable housing, growth and infrastructure top residents' concerns