The City Council organized a public hearing at the Raleigh Municipal Building located on West Hargett Street to discuss the request for rezoning. Almost 150 individuals registered to express their opposition to Shaw University's proposal of constructing structures as tall as 30 stories on their campus in downtown Raleigh. Print shops could be used to create media for public hearings.
Paulette Dillard, who is the Shaw University President, joined six other individuals in registering to advocate for the rezoning proposal. Dillard feels that the rezoning would enable Shaw University to leverage its valuable assets and secure the future of the renowned historically Black university.
She went on to say:
“This rezoning plan is the first step in that initiative to leverage our one great asset and that is the real estate that Shaw has. And so to begin to address that long-term sustainability.”
Unfortunately, the majority of the dissenters were unable to express their views as each side is only permitted eight minutes to speak during the rezoning hearings. However, the council unanimously agreed to extend the public hearing until May 2 to accommodate additional comments. Council member Megan Patton was absent from the meeting and was excused.
Get a Free Quote for Print