Editing New Bern Avenue BRT (section)

=== Incorporation of transit-oriented development ===
In July 2020, building off the community engagement work lead by WSP, the City published [[Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Guidebook]], which provided policy and design guidance on how to ensure the benefits of transit and related development were felt equally across residents of all income levels. The guidebook noted that New Bern had the highest share of black residents relative to the other BRT corridors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cityofraleigh0drupal.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/drupal-prod/COR22/EDATGuidebook.pdf|title=Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Guidebook|website=City of Raleigh|date=July 2020|access-date=February 2, 2026}}</ref> 

On February 2, 2021, the City signed an MOU with the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to use part of their right-of-way on New Berne Avenue for the BRT route.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://go.boarddocs.com/nc/raleigh/Board.nsf/files/BXLQFV692627/$file/20210202ESDNewBernBRTMOUTermSummary.pdf|title=City of Raleigh – North Carolina Department of Transportation
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Terms Summary for New Bern Avenue Bus Rapid Transit|website=City of Raleigh|date=February 1. 2021|access-date=February 2, 2026}}</ref>

During that meeting, council also authorized a $750,000 contract with Stantec, Inc. for community engagement and planning services for the areas surrounding the proposed bus station stops. The funding was paid for with a $600,000 grant from the FTA and $150,000 in matching funds from the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://go.boarddocs.com/nc/raleigh/Board.nsf/files/BXUNV7616655/$file/20200202PlanDevNewBernStationAreaPlanningPresentation.pdf|title=New Bern Station Area Planning Pending Public Review Contract and Project Approach|website=City of Raleigh|date=February 2, 2021|access-date=February 2, 2026}}</ref>

Final designs were shared with council June 15, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://go.boarddocs.com/nc/raleigh/Board.nsf/files/C3ZLHY52C8D6/$file/20210615RDOTWakeBRTStationDesignArtBrandingPublicEngagementPresentation.pdf|title=Wake Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System Standards Update|website=City of Raleigh|date=June 15, 2021|access-date=February 2, 2026}}</ref> Engineering reports indicated that the full cost of construction would be $76.2 million with an additional $6.1 in needed water and sewer investments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://go.boarddocs.com/nc/raleigh/Board.nsf/files/C3RNGZ5E8EC5/$file/20210615ESDEngineersReport.pdf|title=Wake Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): New Bern Corridor Project Roadway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Improvements along New Bern Avenue from Downtown Raleigh to New Hope Road.|website=HNTB|date=June 1, 2021|access-date=February 2, 2026}}</ref> <blockquote>"The total budget for the New Bern Ave BRT project is $72.5 million and includes design, construction, right-of-way, electrical relocation and permitting costs. Included in the construction budget of this project are the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant funds of $35 million. The current total estimated cost for the project is $76.5 million (Still Finalizing the Advance Design Construction Cost Estimate). Separately, Raleigh Water’s water and sewer improvements projected to be $6.1 million."</blockquote>At the same meeting, Council adopted Resolution 267, authorizing the use of eminent domain if negotiations with property owners failed. In total, 153 properties along the corridor were identified as potentially impacted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://go.boarddocs.com/nc/raleigh/Board.nsf/files/C3RNGW5E8478/$file/20210615ESDWakeBRTNewBernBackupMemo.pdf|title=Wake Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): New Bern Avenue Advance Design Presentation|website=City of Raleigh|date=June 15, 2021|access-date=February 2, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://go.boarddocs.com/nc/raleigh/Board.nsf/files/C3SQWK664268/$file/20210615ESDExhibitAPropertyListing.pdf|title=Exhibit A Wake BRT - New Bern Ave. Corridor Properties Listing|website=City of Raleigh|date=June 15, 2021|access-date=February 2, 2026}}</ref>