Best for all

We want to strongly encourage the Council of State to support the market value lease of the Dorothea Dix Hospital property to the City of Raleigh for development as a public park. We are confident that it will be remembered and appreciated by many North Carolinians for the quality of life and economic development that will result.

By leasing the Dix property to the City of Raleigh, Gov. Bev Perdue and the Council of State will have realized a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will benefit our community for many generations Those future generations will greatly appreciate the foresight shown by the governor and Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane in developing this park.

The governor has worked on the Dix project for four years. Like everyone involved, her goal was to find the plan that most benefited both the City of Raleigh and the State of North Carolina, and she is presenting a plan to the Council of State today. All parties involved stress that the important work of DHHS will continue at the Dix location until a replacement facility is established. Everyone respects the legacy of the mental health services provided on the Dix campus, which will be recognized as part of the park.

We are not the oldest rats in the barn, but almost; we can’t remember a more exciting opportunity for all of us.

Jim Goodmon

CEO, Capitol Broadcasting Company

Smedes York

Former mayor

Raleigh