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City details support, next steps to recognize Fourth Ward history and Chavis Strollway
Summary
City staff summarized support provided for Fourth Ward historical recognition events and outlined plans to incorporate Fourth Ward history into the Chavis Strollway design and Convention Center expansion; council members asked for continued community engagement and discussion of acknowledgment and atonement.
City staff on Wednesday reviewed commitments made over the past year to recognize the history of Raleigh's Fourth Ward and described next steps to incorporate that history into upcoming public projects, including the Chavis Strollway planning work and Convention Center opportunities.
Assistant City Manager Evan Raleigh summarized the city's recent support for Fourth Ward organizers, saying staff across departments provided event resources and that the Convention Center awarded a $10,000 community grant to organizers. "That event was a recipient of dollars — $10,000 community grant" Raleigh said, and staff estimated the total value of city monetary and in‑kind support for the recognition event at roughly $30,000.
Raleigh told council the city is in the process of hiring a firm to lead planning and design work for the Chavis Strollway and that staff intend to use that project to celebrate Fourth Ward history. He also said Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources provided fee waivers and facility support for the August–September events, and that additional park support requested by organizers is under review and estimated to be in the low thousands.
Several council members emphasized the need for continued conversations with organizers. One council member said they would follow up with Ms. Rainey and Fourth Ward stakeholders to better understand additional needs and cautioned that any specific budget request would likely need to be considered in the next fiscal year. Another council member urged a deeper approach that would "apologize, to acknowledge, and atone," saying the work of acknowledgment can take multiple forms and should include direct engagement with community leaders. "I look forward to ongoing conversations, with the council, particularly Council Member Harrison, it's her district, and Ms. Rainey and others to find the appropriate path forward," that council member said.
Council discussion noted the Convention Center expansion and the Chavis Strollway as opportunities to incorporate historic recognition into larger capital projects; staff said they will continue to explore ways to recognize the Fourth Ward beyond one‑time events. Council members asked staff to maintain communication with organizers and to return with any requests that would require budgetary consideration in a future cycle.
Staff indicated the Fourth Ward materials and a memo summarizing commitments were uploaded to BoardDocs for council reference and that additional follow‑up with organizers will be scheduled.
