During the ad-nauseam discussion one small quote in the News & Observer stood out more than any other.
“To me, gentrification, though it has its negative connotations, is part of the healthy cycle in a city,” he said.
N&O, 5-4-19
Who said this? None other than Charles Meeker - the Democrat Raleigh Mayor from 2001 to 2011.
"Gentrification" is "Healthy." I'll let you read into that what you will. May I suggest that many in SE Raleigh would consider that grossly racist. It would seemingly suggest that SE Raleigh was sick and getting young, white, hip, urban folks in would be the medicine it needs. Rather than repair the existing heart, SE Raleigh would receive a new, "cooler" heart.
Charles Meeker and his progressive downtown elite have lauded the "transformation" of downtown Raleigh - with investments that will total over a billion dollars made into downtown Raleigh and the surrounding area. Meeker made substantial investments for downtown urban young whites - free bus services while Southeast Raleigh African-American residents faced increases; Fayetteville Street re-opening; Red Hat Amphitheater; Convention Center; Moore Square; and Dix Park. The list goes on and on. Chavis Park will open in time for the gentrifiers to enjoy it.
It's also worth noting the Meeker family has a personal financial investment in its success. Charles Meeker's son has bars that depend upon this young urban white population thriving in downtown Raleigh.
The Indy article "Three Raleigh friends have found that beer makes good communities" is well worth a read.
During this same time while Meeker put in place the gentrification of SE Raleigh, the Raleigh-Wake Citizens Association - the African-American political voice for SE Raleigh, heavily courted his financial support.
And Meeker came through for them.
In relation to the items below, we note the associated campaign finance shenanigans by Meeker and SE Raleigh's African-American voice.
The point is this - SE Raleigh spent years cozying up to Meeker & Co. while he put the pieces in place to gentrify SE Raleigh. If you want to play Democrat politics in SE Raleigh, that's fine. At the municipal level and beyond, SE Raleigh's political leadership should become more savvy. I know many Republicans would welcome a constructive dialogue.
But to bemoan gentrification now, well, doesn't get much sympathy. In the words of Tina Turner, "You got what you wanted, now you don't want what you got."
