Mold Remediation in Cary, NC

Cary's population is fast approaching 200,000 with the town putting two bonds on the ballot that could shape how the town looks over the coming decades.

CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- The town of Cary looked a lot different when James Powers moved here 38 years ago.

"Right down the street here is High House Road and Cary Parkway. That was gravel when I moved here. There was no road to the left, no road to the right," said Powers, standing outside the Cary Senior Center Thursday afternoon.

Today, the town's population is fast approaching 200,000 residents, with the town putting two bonds on the ballot that could shape how the town looks over the coming decades.

The first measure is a $30 million housing bond, which would help expand housing options, property acquisition, preserve affordable housing supply, provide rehabilitation gap financing for property owners who rent multi-family units, amongst other efforts to ease access to home ownership.

"It's kind of a no-brainer. I actually wish it was slightly larger than this because I really need to think about and work on making Cary more affordable for people who work here. Firefighters, teachers, just regular people like us need to have an affordable place to stay," said resident Mona Singh.

"It only serves to improve the community, which I think in the long run makes it more diverse and more valuable," added Jeff Jefferson.

However, some voters feel there were more effective ways to address population growth.

"I would hope that there is another solution to help people with the housing and everything without raising taxes so much and so quickly," said Sandy Joiner.

"If you constantly are raising the taxes and everything else, the property values to go up and then guess what? It's out of reach for most people," added Powers.

According to Zillow, the median sales price as of August 31st in Cary was $612,000, with home values increasing by 60% over the past five years.

It only serves to improve the communityJeff Jefferson, Lives in Cary

The second bond has garnered far more reaction: a $560 million measure that covers six parks and recreation projects. The projects include $10 million for an Asian Garden Master Plan, $60 million to expand the Cary Tennis Park and add new pickleball courts, $150 million for the Mills Park Community Center in western Cary, $10 million for the Nature Park Master Plan, $300 million for a Sports and Recreation Community Center in the South Hills District, and $30 million towards the Walnut Creek Greenway.

"The Cary Parks and Rec was able to provide (my children) with extracurricular activities, you know, sports, whether it was soccer or softball or baseball. And we need to continue to do that because it gives the kids something to do and they learn a lot of things by participating in sports," said Steve Assaid.

"My son played in the Cary Rec leagues and thought that did a lot for his personal development," added Jefferson.

However, the size and amount of the bond has led some taxpayers to balk.

"Raising taxes too quickly for six different projects. If it was one project, one at a time, maybe raise it a little bit. You know, I can understand that. But when they roll it all into one, I'm not ready for my taxes to go up again so quickly," said Joiner.

"I was concerned about spending. Obviously, we have to pay back these bonds and they get paid back out of property taxes. So I'm looking at the future and also concerned about the fact that our downtown park, which was budgeted in the 2019 bond for $50 million, ended up costing $69 million," added Mary Collins.

Collins created a website, laying out her reasoning why she opposed the measure. Like Joiner, she acknowledged the value of parks and recreation, specifically praising the Mills Park Community Center plan. However, the number of projects in one bond ultimately was a deterrent for Collins.

We have to pay back these bonds and they get paid back out of property taxes.Mary Collins, Lives in Cary

"I like young people and I want a vibrant community. Problem I have is that we're being basically told (to) build these things in anticipation of the future, but we don't have a prudent budget. We don't have a sound way to pay for them without causing all of the taxpayers, the community of taxpayers here now to have to foot this bill," said Collins.

Assistant Town Manager Danna Widmar says the town has historically put forward individual bond measures which include several projects.

"We do believe that the projects are widespread enough that they appeal to a good majority of our citizens," said Widdmar.

SEE ALSO | ABC11 2024 Your Voice Your Vote Voter Guide

If both bonds are approved, Cary's property tax rate would increase by nine cents per $100 of assessed property value; of that amount 8.5 cents is from the parks and recreation bond, and half a cent is from the housing bond. The current increase would be three cents in the 2026 calendar year, three more cents in the 2028 calendar year, and three additional cents in the 2030 calendar year. The parks and recreation bond does not cover operating costs, which the town says would likely be paid for through additional property tax increases.

"There's a long history of the projects that are on the parks and rec bond. When you look at the specifics, there's decades-old proposals associated with them, some master plans that go back quite a range of years that have identified these projects. And so really that's the reasoning. It really is kind of moving into this next generation of projects which includes new facilities. As it relates to the housing, we've done a lot of work over the last several years. We approved our Imagine Cary Community Plan in 2017 and then our housing plan in 2021, and that housing plan got much more specific for where we are going, and what we are doing and the development of housing. And so this is just the next logical point of improvement associated with our housing," Widdmar explained.

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As the North Carolina and Wake Forest women’s soccer teams prepared to play for a national title at Cary’s WakeMed Soccer Park on Monday night, the NCAA announced the College Cup would be coming back again. And again. And again.

The NCAA on Monday named Cary as the host site for future men’s and women’s College Cups through 2028. It also named the USA Baseball training complex as the host site for the Division II World Series, an event Cary has hosted in all but one year since 2009, making it the Omaha of Division II baseball. That agreement runs through 2038.

Cary is hosting both the men’s and the women’s College Cups this year and the men’s finals next year. In October, the NCAA awarded both the men’s and women’s College Cups to Cary in 2026 and 2027. Monday’s new agreement only extends that by a year, with WakeMed hosting one or both in 2028, but with the intention to extend that through 2038 as well.

The town’s ground lease on the soccer-park land expires in the summer of 2029, so legally there’s nothing Cary can do until that lease is extended or the land is purchased from the state.

For the Town of Cary and the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, Monday’s announcement was the conclusion of a decade-long quest to secure host-city status for both events. This specific proposal was submitted to the NCAA in the summer of 2022; the first was sent in 2010.

“We’ve been talking about it for what seems like forever,” said William Davis, the sports venues manager for the Town of Cary. “We’ve been consistently hosting D2 baseball and the men’s and women’s College Cup year after year. Why not get a commitment on both ends to do something long term?”

The NCAA cited a “proven track record of successfully hosting NCAA events” in announcing the new host sites, along with Orlando for tennis and Gulf Shores, Ala., for beach volleyball. The relationship between Cary and the NCAA took on a new depth in the spring of 2021, when the NCAA asked Cary to host the entirety of both men’s and women’s tournaments, a total of 82 games, within the state of North Carolina and primarily in Cary.

And by hosting the College Cup alongside large NCFC Youth tournaments, Cary has been able to fill WakeMed on a regular basis when other sites have struggled to sell as many tickets. In addition to ongoing cooperation with North Carolina FC and USA Baseball, North Carolina (soccer) and Mount Olive (baseball) committed as long-term host schools as well.

“The commitment to invest and support these championships in terms of facilities, staffing, marketing and more were integral data points to our decision-making process,” Anthony Homan, the NCAA’s vice president of championships and alliances, said in a statement. “We feel the efficiency of scale that can be realized with these long-term commitments between the NCAA and our hosts provides an opportunity for more enhancement of these championships, leading to an increased student-athlete and fan experience moving forward.”

In return for the NCAA’s commitment, Cary agreed to replace the video board at WakeMed Soccer Park and upgrade the locker rooms, while adding a video board at the USA Baseball complex. Davis said it had yet to be determined whether that would be a permanent fixture or just temporary for the tournament.

“We have been submitting bids during their bid cycles every two to four years and constantly getting awarded,” Davis said. “That’s a really good feeling. But for them to say ‘We want to be here for a while,’ it just reinforces the relationship with the NCAA.”

This story was originally published December 9, 2024, 3:04 PM.

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Sports columnist Luke DeCock joined The News & Observer in 2000 and has covered seven Final Fours, the Summer Olympics, the Super Bowl and the Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup. He is a past president of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, was the 2020 winner of the National Headliner Award as the country’s top sports columnist and has twice been named North Carolina Sportswriter of the Year.

CARY, N.C. – For the 28th time in program history – and fourth time in the last seven NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournaments – the North Carolina women's soccer team will be playing in the national championship match.

No. 2-seeded Carolina blanked top-seeded Duke, 3-0, on Friday night in the 2024 NCAA College Cup semifinals in front of a sold out crowd at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. It was the fourth meeting between the two teams this year, with UNC winning both of the postseason matches.

The Tar Heels, who are ranked eighth nationally, improve to 21-5 (7-3 ACC) on the year. The top-ranked Blue Devils finish their season at 18-3-1 (9-0-1).

Seeking its 23rd national championship, the Carolina will now face Wake Forest in the national title game on Monday, Dec. 9, at WakeMed Soccer Park. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

How It Happened

Inside the Box Score

NCAA Tournament Tidbits

Up Next Now one step closer to their 23rd national title in program history, the Tar Heels return to Cary on Monday, Dec. 9, to play in their 28th national championship game. No. 2-seed Carolina will take on fellow No. 2-seed Wake Forest.

Action at WakeMed Soccer Park will begin at 7 p.m. ET and will broadcast nationally on ESPNU with Marion Crowder, Jenn Hildreth and Lori Lindsey on call. Tickets are available for purchase here.

This will be the second meeting this season between the Tar Heels and Demon Deacons. UNC defeated WFU, 1-0, on Sept. 12 in Chapel Hill with Faasse scoring the game-winner. Monday will mark the fifth time Carolina and Wake Forest will play each other in the NCAA Tournament, and first since 2009. UNC leads 4-0 in NCAA matches.

This will also be the first NCAA title game since 1992 that two North Carolina teams will face each other.

Stay up to date with UNC women's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

A Cary man is getting a lot of attention for his dazzling display of lights all for a good cause.

CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Cary man is getting a lot of attention for his dazzling display of lights all for a good cause.

For 17 years, Rick Grandinetti has lit up his home to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. He began the long work of setting up his magical display in September, and his large setup covers 270,000 lights. It is a reminder of the Christmas magic Rick Grandinetti learned from his dad.

Growing up, they didn't have much, but his dad always made the holiday special for his family.

"Every year we got two sets of lights more each year, and he made it fun for us," Grandinetti said.

His dad also loved helping others. As a devout Catholic, Grandinetti's dad was inspired by Saint Jude and their work helping kids in need.

"He loved Saint Jude's and he loved the story of Danny Thomas with Saint Jude's to help out children with cancer, and I have two healthy daughters and that's why I do it," he said.

Everyone who comes to visit is given a candy cane with a web link to stjude.org and is asked to donate to Saint Jude's Hospital.

ALSO SEE: NC Courage owner Steve Malik talks future opportunities after deal to buy women's team falls through

In return, visitors get a chance to see the Winter Wonderland up close - from Rudolph and Santa to a giant polar bear, and a dazzling display of light, reaching towering trees 150 feet in the air.

One question Rick gets the most--How did he get the lights to reach so high? The answer is a fishing rod and a lot of patience.

"I take a socket wrench and tie it to the end of this and I cast the socket wrench over the tree," he said.

Grandinetti said he is also going to appear on the Great Christmas Light Fight next year, marking another North Carolina appearance after a family from Oxford was featured on this week's episode.

The display is open to the public. You can find Rick and his lights at his home at 110 Council Gap Court off Davis Drive near High House.

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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – It will be a rivalry game between North Carolina and Duke for the fourth time this season – this time, on the biggest stage with a spot in the national championship game on the line.

The second-seeded Tar Heels and top-seeded Blue Devils will meet once again in the NCAA College Cup semifinals on Friday, Dec. 6, at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. The match will start 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first semifinal, at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET.

Action will broadcast nationally on ESPNU with Jenn Hildreth, Lori Lindsey and Marion Crowder on call.

Match Info Who: (2) Carolina vs. (1) Duke What: NCAA Tournament – College Cup Semifinals Where: Cary, N.C. – WakeMed Soccer Park When: Friday, Dec. 6 – approx. 7:30 p.m. ET Links: Live Stats | Live Stream

NCAA Tournament Tidbits

The Tar Heels enter the match with a 20-5 (7-3 ACC) record. They punched a ticket to their 32nd College Cup after defeating No. 4-seed Penn State, 2-1, after Faasse's golden goal in the 98th minute of overtime in the NCAA Quarterfinals on Nov. 29 in Chapel Hill.

The Blue Devils boast an 18-2-1 (9-0-1 ACC) mark on the season and will be making their fifth College Cup appearance. They knocked off No. 7-seed Virginia Tech, 1-0, in the quarterfinals last Saturday in Durham.

Ten Things to Know

The winner of Friday's game will advance to the national championship match at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, Dec. 9, also at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. It will air nationally on ESPNU.

This is the first time in the 43-year history of the Women's College Cup that all four teams are from the same conference. This ensures the ACC will earn its 26th women's soccer national championship and 32nd among current membership. No school outside the ACC has won more than two national titles.

Stay up to date with UNC women's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.