BCR's Daily Fishwrap Report for July 29, 2010

Ah, summertime. When the vacations are on and the news is slow -- well, when we're not dealing with 751 South, billboards, or property taxes, that is.

But there'll be plenty of time for those stories in the coming days. For today, the pickings are slim in newsworthy fare:

South Regional Opens: The new south Durham regional library opened to great fanfare and applomb, with the BOCC's members even being civil to each other and resisting what we're sure was an urge to try to shove their opponents Flat-Stanley-style through the book return. Our fave quote in the story: one Matt Rogers, a SoDur resident who complains that he's usually against bond issues, but notes the library (built near the county line, where new population growth is limited due to environmental constraints, and from which the Southwest library not-really-so-far-away) is "something people will use," calling it "nice to see some of our money well spent." (Herald-Sun)

Raleigh Struggles With High-Speed Plans: The Indy's Bob Geary takes a look at the challenges present in Raleigh as the City of Oaks struggles with how to route high-speed rail service between Richmond and the Triangle -- something that has led to an NCDOT proposal to close several downtown streets there that are gateways to nightlife areas like Glenwood South. Local officials are pleading for "sealed corridors," an alternative that would put gate arms at all four conflict points to prevent routing around arms -- but state officials still seem wary. Pay attention, Bull City: Even without high-speed rail plans, the same has been under discussion for years for Mangum and Blackwell in our downtown, with similar problems for keeping the burgeoning ATC/ballpark/DPAC district connected to the rest of the urban core. (Indy)

Pro-Am Featured: The SJG Greater NC Pro-Am gets still more feature coverage, this time from the N&O's Luke DeCock. Last year featured John Wall; this year a number of ACC stars-to-be are mixing it up with NBA players and the like at Central in a summer league which NCAA rules requires to be free admission. Which makes it one of the not-to-be-missed events around here this summer. (N&O)

Comments

[Seth Vidal]

"Our fave quote in the story: one Matt Rogers, a SoDur resident who complains that he's usually against bond issues, but notes the library (built near the county line, where new population growth is limited due to environmental constraints, and from which the Southwest library not-really-so-far-away) is "something people will use," calling it "nice to see some of our money well spent." (Herald-Sun)"

Schaden-freude?

[Bull City Rising]

@Seth -- I hesitate to get too snarky in the 'Wrap, but I always find it amusing when folks are convinced all government spending is waste except when it's something they want. Such as we're seeing with opponents of stimulus programs at the federal level still lobbying the administration for projects in their necks of the woods.

[Rob Gillespie]

I wonder what the cost of trenching the rail corridor would be, in comparison to building the overpasses suggested by NCDOT. I know trenching requires building a new line a block down, as the current line won't be able to shut down for the months it takes to dig it in, but Los Angeles and others have had success with trains in trenches.

Re: Ambacco and the loop-- I keep hoping that we'll see that aerial ice skating rink DDI mentioned in one of their master plans.

[Tina]

Given the number of counties around the country who are moth balling libraries for the lack of funding, I'm thankful I live in a county where libraries are valued and supported by the public. Like Durham the Grand Opening was a wonderful mix of ages, races, religions, and cultures. There were several senior citizens recording their memories of the Lowes Grove area and several more reminiscing over old community photos. And lots of young kids dancing and enjoying the new library. The new South Regional Library is something we all should be proud of.