FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 29, 2000

CARY, NC— Work has begun on more than $2.4 million in projects designed to improve basic infrastructure and the overall quality of life in "Old Cary", loosely defined as those areas in and around the Maynard loop. This includes more than $1.2 million in water, sewer, and sidewalk improvements as well as another $1.2 million in parks and greenways projects.

"These projects help the Town meet Council’s goal of providing for the highest achievable quality of life for all Cary citizens, especially those living in the "heart" of this great community," said Town Manager Bill Coleman. Coleman noted that this level of activity in one year may lead to some inconvenience for people traveling through the area and asked that motorists as well as pedestrians remain alert to changing conditions.

Water quality and water pressures will improve for many businesses and residents in Old Cary with the replacement of several water lines including some along Bryce Place, Chapel Hill Road, Magnolia Drive, Murphy Drive, and Pleasants Avenue.

To help ensure that Cary can continue meeting high environmental standards for the proper collection and disposal of wastewater, including reducing the likelihood of sewage spills, the Town will replace portions of the sewer system at key points along Chapel Hill Road, Delta Court, Heater Alley, Manchester, Pleasants Avenue, Ward Street, and West Chatham Street. In addition, more than 5,000 feet of sewer mains generally north of Chapel Hill Road and south of East and West Johnson Streets will be rehabilitated. Finally, the wastewater pump station at the end of Honeysuckle Lane will be removed and a gravity service line will be extended to the sewer main on Castlefern Drive, thus eliminating the requirement of routine maintenance and further reducing the risk of overflow during power outages.

As for parks and greenways, residents using Dunham park have already seen the children's playground and basketball court area renovated and expanded; next up is the addition of a practice court and wall as well as court resurfacing and fence repairs, all expected to cost about $227,000. Lexie Lane and Lions parks will get paved parking lots as well as sidewalks and new fencing at Lions. Godbold Park will receive about $50,000 of work to include a new gazebo and more picnic tables. As for greenways, Higgins—located off Danforth Drive to Maynard—is in the final stages of a facelift that includes resurfacing, new seating, signage, and trash receptacles. And as one of the largest projects at $786,000, phase four of the Black Creek Greenway will extend it four miles, linking Godbold Park to Bond Park with a 10’ wide paved trail.

Details on each of the projects, including maps and timelines, are available under WHAT’S NEW on the Town’s website, www.townofcary.org.

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