The week of February 24 was bittersweet as Cary witnessed the demolition of the previous Cary Library. Many shed tears as the library once seemed to be a permanent fixture on Academy Street. This parcel now provides an opportunity for more new and exciting things in downtown. Demolition was the first step in the redevelopment of the site, and the next will be the issuance of an RFP. 

On February 20, Council unanimously approved a downtown development project that will create both mixed-use residential and mixed-use commercial products on the Cary-owned property around the recently-completed parking deck next to the Cary Regional Library. This project is the last component in finalizing the plans for the Downtown Park block. The development team plans to commence construction summer 2020. 

The retail strip center at 111 E. Chatham Street, now referred to by the new owners as “The Center,” was approved for Cary’s Façade Improvement Program, and many of the improvements of new storefronts, awnings and paint are well underway. New tenants will join the existing tenant mix and bring new life and activity to this significant area of Downtown Cary. The rendering above compared to the historic building below highlights the change.

A new year in a new decade introduced a holistic approach to the organization’s ongoing Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) efforts to ensure the organization allows employees to be their authentic selves while remaining a great place to work. By providing forums and activities where colleagues are invited to openly voice experiences and share ideas, the Cary’s 2020 D&I activities are helping guide ongoing efforts to build diversity, inclusion, equity, trust and respect within our organization. 

As the Signature Experience project team reimagines onboarding of new hires, many remarkable experiences created by this interdepartmental OneCary group continue to roll out. After streamlining cumbersome paper-laden new hire processes into electronic roadmaps combined with electronic drug and background checks, HR consultants successfully piloted these items for temporary and seasonal hiring. This included conducting training and turning over the process to PRCR Department and Public Works Department hiring managers. Additionally, a 12-member advisory group of hiring managers and other employees who expressed interest in onboarding joined the Signature Experience project team’s efforts to create remarkable experiences for new hires by providing input and guidance.

With the new year came new programs and initiatives to meet employees where they are while supporting their overall health and well-being. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, additional virtual resources offered employees a myriad of ways to take care of their whole selves physically, mentally, emotionally and socially.

Employees had the opportunity to engage in Wellable, a wearable tracking program that automatically tracks exercise and allows for manual activity recording to reward employees for healthy daily activities such as walking or running, biking, step climbing or drinking water. More than 110 employees engaged in the first Wellable challenge, enhancing their physical activity, heart health and nutrition.

Alongside Wellable, the annual Choose to Lose weight loss challenge kicked off in the new year and was extended into the spring with nearly 200 participants. Participants focused on losing weight and gaining muscle through their individual weigh-ins, support from activities like the Wellable app or resources on CNET, and one-on-one personalized coaching or nutritional counseling. The challenge also offered a series of round-table seminars covering topics such as self-esteem and movement, as well as Movement Mondays and monthly meditations.

Focusing on wellness was paramount when COVID-19 required many employees work from home. A new online Finding Your Center program integrated self-care techniques into daily life by suggesting at-home daily activities, options for WebEx classes and virtual or telephonic WakeMed health coaching supplemented by a series of weekly well-being posts covering topics from “Spring Cleaning Your Mind” to a deep dive into Resilience. These tips, tricks and tools for motivation and support stretched employees’ bodies and minds.

Other important activities this quarter included a Red Cross Blood Drive and the launch of the BCBSNC Smart Shopper program, which allows convenient price comparisons for medical services and procedures to help choose the best option, with the potential to pay a lower cost and to receive a cash reward based on the overall cost savings.