by Leo Suarez

Municipography: Public Safety and Downtown Update

Last week’s City Council meeting (watch on YouTube here) featured an important update on downtown Raleigh, covering public safety and ongoing improvements to our public spaces. The primary focus was on Fayetteville Street and security enhancements at GoRaleigh Station. There were some great takeaways, and overall, things seem to be moving in a positive direction.

What’s Been Done or Coming Soon

  • Downtown Businesses Holding Strong – Contrary to some concerns, (and TV news) more businesses are opening than closing. Get out there and support them.
  • Fayetteville Street Tree Lighting – Expect some fresh ambiance in May/June when new lighting is installed on the trees along Fayetteville Street.
  • City Plaza Enhancements – New shade structures, planter boxes, and “lookout” tables, all aimed at making the area more inviting, are coming this Summer.
  • GoRaleigh Station Security Upgrades – The city has hired its first-ever safety director to oversee security at the transit hub.
  • Crime Trends – Violent crime in downtown is down 3%, while property crime has seen a significant 29% decrease.
  • More Active Patrols – Expect to see increased foot and e-bike patrols to improve visibility and safety. Also, Raleigh’s ACORNS unit is fully staffed.

On the Glenwood South front, Raleigh Police Department (RPD) is satisfied with its current strategy, and we’ve shifted from focusing on violent crime to managing noise issues. That, in itself, is a positive sign.

Looking further ahead, the Fayetteville Street Streetscape Plan is expected to be officially adopted by Winter 2026. What does that mean? I take it to mean that the plan is agreed upon and when looking into my crystal ball, I hope the following takes place:

  • Winter 2026: Plan adoption and cost estimation
  • Spring 2026: Budgeting process begins
  • Summer/Fall 2026: Procurement and request process
  • Beyond that: Implementation—hopefully aligning with the opening of major downtown developments like the Omni Hotel, Convention Center Expansion, and Red Hat renovations.

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