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Raeford council adopts parks priority list and authorizes steps to pursue partial Racket Alley closure for courthouse project
Summary
The council approved park-priority rankings recommended by the Parks and Recreation Board and authorized staff to pursue the procedure for a partial closure of Racket Alley—subject to county payment of legal fees and preservation of utility easements—to accommodate Hoke County courthouse construction.
The Raeford City Council approved parks priority rankings and agreed to pursue the procedural steps needed for a partial closure of Racket Alley to accommodate Hoke County’s courthouse and administration building.
City Manager Dennis Baxley presented a Parks Board ranking prepared with LKC, LLC. McLauchlin Park received the highest score, followed by Robbins Heights Park, City Pond and Freedom Park. Councilman John Jordan moved to accept the rankings as presented; the motion carried unanimously.
On the Racket Alley request, Baxley told the council he had received a request from the Hoke County Commissioners to close Racket Alley from E. Elwood to E. Edinborough Avenue for the new courthouse and administration building. Manager Baxley proposed a narrower closure—from the southwest corner of the county jail parking lot to E. Edinborough—leaving access to Sandhills Center for Mental Health parking and the jail. He recommended that the county pay associated legal fees and that the city maintain existing utility easements. Designer Dell Crawford confirmed a portion of Racket Alley would need to be closed for a sallyport and said the remaining portion would be improved with curb and gutter.
Councilman Wayne Willis moved and Councilwoman Mary Neil King seconded a motion to move forward with the procedures necessary to effect the recommended partial closure; the motion passed unanimously. The transcript indicates the action was to initiate proper procedures rather than to execute a permanent closure immediately; further legal and procedural steps and agreements with Hoke County are implied before any final closure is implemented.
The meeting adjourned following the vote.
