I have seen this work going on at the Moore Square bus station for a few weeks now but it was only today that I noticed the signs around the construction fencing. They say that new lighting, walkways, and seating will be put into this area.
As someone who walks here a few times a week to ride, the added room is welcome. At certain times of the day, the sidewalks are jammed with people. Hopefully this is one of many future additions that Raleigh’s central transit station should have in place.
Marathon runners pass through downtown Raleigh on a cool and bright November 7th, 2010 morning as part of the City of Oaks Marathon.
The Contemporary Art Museum under construction. Does anyone think that when open in Spring 2011, the epicenter of First Friday will move from Hargett Street to Martin Street?
I just want to warn you that this is a weak post but either way, there is construction happening on Progress Energy’s land on Lenoir Street near the intersection with Dawson Street, to the west of the rail tracks. I’m not sure what is being built but my guess is that it is the power station that they wanted to build to support the power demands of downtown.
I do remember this was an issue a few years ago but cannot find the articles online at all. I’ll keep attempting to locate something but comment if you recall any details.
The short version of the story is that Progress Energy wanted to build a power substation where Union Station would go now and that caused some controversy. The story never really seemed to end, unless I missed it in the news or no one was talking about it but now Progress Energy is working on something. Is this the same power station?
On October 24th, 2009, City Plaza was officially opened during Raleigh Wide Open 4. The open space towards the southern end of Fayetteville Street was called downtown Raleigh’s living room and for one year today it has served a unique purpose for downtown.
City Plaza has hosted a plethora of events from music and art festivals to the downtown Farmer’s Market and Winterfest. The plaza is a great gathering place in the core of the city and with the scenic Fayetteville Street view, it’s one of the best places to host an event in an urban area.
City Plaza is also about the pedestrian first. The plaza has fluid interaction with cars and people because of the flush street and sidewalks. It is easier to move around when on foot because there are no curbs, signs, or parked cars in the space. The fountain, the numerous tables and chairs, and lots of seating around the planted bushes and flowers makes it very inviting, open, and uncrowded.
The pavilions in the plaza also make it a destination. The four shops have been open for some time now and soon a fifth will open in the One Bank of America Plaza tower.
City Plaza is one of the most urban places in the city. here’s to many more years of hanging out there!
Oak in the Weeds by dtraleigh, on Flickr
Looks like Wilmington Street is getting some work done on her. The space at the corner of Wilmington Street and Martin Street is being renovated and according to a sign, shown above, will be finished in the Fall of 2011. The building, shown below, was listed in my Top 10 Empty Spaces To Fill Around Downtown, posted over two years ago.
I updated that list a year later and 237 Wilmington was still empty. This gives me an idea for a 2010 refresh by the way. Anyway, this is a good sign for a major hole in the slice of swiss cheese that is downtown Raleigh retail/restaurant spaces.
Forboding by dtraleigh, on Flickr