Apex, Holly Springs share similar priorities, concerns over growth, traffic and housing
Affordable housing, improvements to parks, new greenways and sports competitions are just some of the things in the works for two western Wake County towns.
Members of the Holly Springs and Apex town councils met Tuesday night at Bass Lake Park to share ideas and strategic growth strategies for their respective communities.
The towns, about 15 minutes from each other, have seen exponential growth over the past 30 years with the expansion of infrastructure, life science and technology companies in neighboring Research Triangle Park, economic development and an influx of new residents.
The leaders say they recognize the growing needs of their communities and saw the meeting as a chance to learn from each other and potentially collaborate together on future projects, even a lacrosse tournament.
“Next to pickleball, lacrosse might be the next fasting growing sport in our community,” said Randy Harrington, the town manager for Holly Springs. “This has been an area to advance among Fuquay-Varina, Apex and Holly Springs with the possibility of benefiting all three communities.”
Harrington said the town is planning a men’s and women’s lacrosse tournament next fall.
Here are some of the other plans the town leaders discussed.
Apex
Apex is about 20 minutes from RTP and neighbors Cary and Morrisville. At the end of 2022, the town had a population of about 75,000 residents. The town estimates that by 2030, there could be more than 120,000 people living in Apex.
Catherine Crosby, the town manager, said some of the town’s priorities, as identified in its strategic plan, include transportation, economic development, long-term planning for sewer and water and for parks and recreation.
There are also plans for a community service phone line for residents to ask questions or to get information.
“We really have to look at how we’re providing services, how we communicate to our residents in a different way to make sure that we’re still maintaining a high level of service that we take great pride in,” Crosby said. “I’m really excited about some of the things related to affordable housing and transportation.”
Crosby said housing affordability is an issue throughout the region. In 2020, the Apex Town Council approved the Apex Affordable Housing Plan.
The main focuses for the plan now are building the town’s capacity and advancing advocacy and public education.
Other priorities include:
Apex’s 150th town celebration in March
- The addition of a second route for GoApex transit
- The Vision Zero Action Plan that works to reduce fatalities on Apex roadways by 2035
- Middle Creek Greenway
- Future greenways
Holly Springs
In 1990, Holly Springs had a population of 908, Harrington said. The town is tucked in the corner of southwest Wake County between Apex and Fuquay-Varina, and until recently, was mostly a rural area.
More than 30 years later, the town has over 47,000 residents and continues to grow. Harrington said by next year, officials project the population to hit 50,000 residents, and 60,000 by the end of this decade.
In 2018, Holly Springs approved a $40 million bond referendum for transportation projects. Currently, there are four active projects in the town’s downtown area, the bypass and the Holly Springs Road widening project.
The road is being transformed into a four-lane, median-divided road with sidewalks and pedestrian crossings from Flint Point Lane to Sunset Lake Road in Holly Springs.
Harrington said officials have been planning for the new N.C. 540 interchange with the Northeast Gateway Master Plan. Harrington said the area could resemble North Hills in Raleigh or Fenton in Cary.
“It’s really innovative planning that mixes commercial, mixed use, residential components in a fun and exciting way,” Harrington said.
Other priorities for the town are:
A customer service line. The town has been working on a phone line for residents to get information. It is expected to be working by late spring, Harrington said.
- More economic development
- Potential collaboration opportunities with neighboring towns
- A future parks and recreation bond referendum
- The relocation of Fire Station 3
- The downtown village district plan
- A new yard waste collection model
This story was originally published February 2, 2023 at 8:00 AM.