Emilee Dawes

Com 345

Professor Rohler

November 9, 2009

Lobbying Speech

Good evening. I would like to thank the city council for giving me the opportunity to speak at this meeting. I am here today on behave of Cape Fear Community College and the Foundation office to propose above ground renovations be extended on North Front Street between Walnut Street and Hanover street. This could occur after the conclusion of stage two in the 2010 Front Street project. I would like for attention and consideration be made to cross walks and parking spaces. Most importantly, I am here today to draw attention to the need for wider sidewalks leading to student parking lot #2 as well as pot hole repairs in student parking lot #2.

Cape Fear Community College is an open door, multi-campus, comprehensive community college. We strengthen the academic, economic, social and cultural life of the citizens of New Hanover County. The students that attend CFCC are of all ages and backgrounds. Many go to school, work or even raise a family, sometimes simultaneously. CFCC is an institution that fosters instances as I have mentioned. CFCC students are a key part of our economic vitality because they stay and work here when they graduate. You will find many working at your local stores and offices. CFCC students are dedicated and hardworking and deserve support with environments that are safe and advanced. I feel certain advancements need to be made to achieve this.

Student Parking lot #2 is located across the street from the Schwartz building. You must walk over the small bridge on Front Street to reach this parking lot. This section of the street is busy with traffic and pedestrians walking to work or to CFCC buildings. The width of the sidewalk on either side of the bridge is about two feet wide. With the amount of pedestrians traveling over the bridge going both ways, the width is inadequate and dangerous. Pot holes in this parking lot are large and obstructive as well.

CFCC is dedicated to providing a safe environment for students to learn and grow. Within CFCC’s mission statement we state that interacting and cooperating with others to encourage, promote and facilitate economic and community development is important as well as enlisting support for the college within the community. I ask for that support today. CFCC feels that the expansion to the sidewalks on the Front Street bridge as well pot hole repairs in parking lot #2 is part of the community development that is fundamental in the future of downtown Wilmington and Cape Fear Community College.

I hope you will consider these issues important and will dedicate some attention to providing a solution to these issues. I appreciate your concentration and time. Thank you.