Corridor 55 Chronicle 9.18.25
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🌳 Library Park Is Getting a $2.5M Glow-Up
Two new concepts unveiled for Library Park
Fuquay just unveiled two bold visions for Library Park, that little green patch on South Aiken where the old library used to be. (You know, before it became the Library Steakhouse — because why read when you can eat?)
One concept features a full mini golf course tucked into the slope of the land. The other goes full urban plaza with a water wall, creative play zones, and a community lawn. Price tags range from $2.1 to $2.5 million.
Now, I’m not saying we’re going for a downtown Cary Park vibe… but I’m not saying we aren’t.
🏗️ South Park Community Center Renovation
Plans move forward to renovate the Fuquay’s original community center
If you live on the south side of Fuquay, it’s probably been hard not to feel a little jealous watching everyone enjoy the fancy schmancy new community center up on Hilltop Needmore. But good news — South Park is next in line.
Town leaders just approved a contract with HH Architecture to design a full renovation of the South Park Community Center. It is funded by $200,000 already set aside in the 2026 budget. The project is expected to go out for bid in spring 2026, with construction starting by summer and lasting 9–12 months.
Updates will focus on modernizing the look and feel of the building, reworking the floor plan for more flexible programming space, and improving how visitors move through the facility.
I’ll go ahead and put in my vote now for a coffee bar and some seriously comfy chairs.
🚐 Microlink Transit Coming to Fuquay-Varina in 2026
On-demand transit will connect Fuquay-Varina riders to schools, hospitals, and Raleigh—no tax hike required
Fuquay-Varina is getting a major transit upgrade in early 2026 as GoRaleigh launches its new Microlink service—an on-demand, curb-to-curb ride option described by town leaders as “government’s version of Uber.” Their words, not mine.
The Microlink zone will include key destinations like local high schools, Rex Hospital in Holly Springs, Wake Tech, and connections to downtown Raleigh. It will replace the current FRX route but offer far greater flexibility—at no additional cost to taxpayers. A vehicle and info booth will be at this year’s Celebrate Fuquay-Varina event so residents can preview the service.
💰 $23.5 Million Available for Local Project
Wake County Launches Grant Cycle for Arts, Culture, & Sports
Wake County just announced a new competitive grant cycle for tourism, arts, culture, and sports-related capital projects—offering $23.5 million total, with individual awards up to $5.5 million. The money comes from the hospitality tax—those extra pennies paid when eating out or staying in a hotel. So basically, people visiting Raleigh are paying to make Raleigh an even greater place to live and visit.
This fund has already supported major local landmarks like Marbles Kids Museum, the NC Museum of Art, and Cary Tennis Park, so the bar is high. To qualify, your project must cost at least $100,000 and the grant can only cover 50% of the cost.
🛡️ Raleigh Doubles Down on Downtown Safety
Violent crime is down 42%—and City Council wants to keep it that way
The Raleigh City Council voted to continue their commitment to keeping Raleigh one of the safest cities in the nation. Since 2023, violent crime in the downtown business core is down 42%—a drop city leaders attribute to a combined effort by Raleigh Police and layered private security.
To keep that momentum going, Council approved three contracts: continued Park Safety Ambassadors in downtown parking decks, daytime security at Moore Square, and overnight guards at the popular new Gibson Play Plaza.
The vote passed unanimously. Council members emphasized the need for consistent coordination across agencies to ensure public spaces stay secure and welcoming. You can stay up to date on Raleigh City Council meetings here.
🚧 Downtown Raleigh’s Gettin’ Another Glow-up!
$29.3M redesign includes new community center, playground, and more
Raleigh just approved the schematic design for a major $29.3 million redevelopment of Tarboro Road Park. Plans include a two-story, LEED Silver-targeted community center, a central plaza, multipurpose courts (including space for bike polo), a brand-new playground, and upgrades to the St. Monica Teen Center.
The existing center will close in fall 2026, with construction expected to run from 2027 to 2029. If this sounds like a lot—it is. But the design renderings show a vibrant and modern gathering space that could become a crown jewel in Raleigh’s park system.
