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Residents push council to reassess greenway route and back 24,000‑tree 'Leaf Out' goal
Summary
Speakers asked the council to choose less costly greenway options amid a budget shortfall and urged funding for a Leaf Out initiative to plant 24,000 trees in Raleigh by 2032 as a climate, health and equity investment.
Jane Hubben told council members that the Anderson Drive greenway route could cost far more than originally budgeted: a bond referendum initially allocated about $4.5 million for three segments, but one segment's cost may rise toward $11 million. She suggested choosing a less expensive alignment to fill budget gaps and questioned whether Clean Water Management funds should be spent on the project when other watershed needs exist.
Maggie Bailey, executive director of the local nonprofit We Plant It Forward, urged the council to fund the 'Leaf Out' goal — planting 24,000 trees in Raleigh by 2032 — pointing to a recent partnership that planted nine trees at five bus stops in South Raleigh as a model. George Jones of Partners for Environmental Justice echoed the call, described NOAA‑partnered work on heat‑island mitigation and watershed stewardship, and pressed for tree protections, native replacements, and green stormwater infrastructure.
Why it matters: Rising costs for the greenway and tight city budgets make route choice and funding decisions consequential; tree‑planting initiatives seek long‑term health, equity, and resilience benefits but require sustained fiscal commitment.
What to watch next: Any staff cost analyses on greenway routing, proposed reallocation of bond funds, or council budget amendments; also, follow‑through on funding commitments for the Leaf Out target.
