7/22 Letters: Instead of a new park, build more affordable housing in downtown Raleigh

Regarding “Demolition near downtown clearing way for future park” (July 9): Does Raleigh really need another park? There have been reports recently that three apartment homes that house low-income residents, including seniors with disabilities, are being displaced. This leaves hundreds of vulnerable people with nowhere to go.

I suggest that affordable housing be built on this lot instead of another park. Fayetteville Street has been re-done to offer government employees areas for enjoying their lunch breaks along with the Capitol Square and Moore Square. Senior citizens must be provided for, and this would be a perfect location because it is near downtown, Cameron Village and on the bus line. I feel another park is not needed. Let’s do the right thing for seniors and build affordable housing.

Cold War-era veteran ‘confused’

I’m a grumpy old veteran who spent many years in the military during the Cold War era. It seemed clear then that Russia was America’s main adversary and the NATO countries were friends.

Now everything has been turned upside down: Russia is a friend and Western Europe doesn’t matter. I’ve always tried to stay alert to world news and I’ve traveled a lot, but I didn’t see this coming. Has Russia changed? Has Western Europe changed? There must be other Cold War veterans who share my confusion.

Soccer team would ‘make Raleigh better’

Over the past 10-plus years, Raleigh has transformed from a sleepy state capital to a booming economic engine. In 2016 alone, 47 new downtown street-level businesses opened. And much more is coming. The key is having the right balance and saying “yes” to opportunities that will enable Raleigh to further thrive.

Such an opportunity is in front of Raleigh now – to bring a Major League Soccer team to our capital city. The league is currently determining its next round of expansion, and the Triangle is one of 12 markets in the running following a bid submission from the North Carolina Football Club in January 2017. NCFC has already done its part to keep our community thriving. Its men’s and women’s teams are buoyed by excited and engaged fan bases; ticket and merchandise sales are growing; and the teams have garnered positive national attention for the Triangle and North Carolina. Bringing an MLS franchise to downtown Raleigh would amplify these efforts, making our area an even better place to live, to work and do business, to raise our children and to enjoy access to the highest level of soccer.

This story was originally published July 22, 2017 at 6:00 PM with the headline "7/22 Letters: Instead of a new park, build more affordable housing in downtown Raleigh."