by Leo Suarez

Try Transit, Win Prizes

This week is Try Transit Week. Jump into the event website or read the cliffnotes below:

Try Transit Week is an annual campaign sponsored by Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA), Cary Transit (C-Tran), Capital Area Transit (CAT), NCSU Wolfline and Triangle Transit. The goal of the campaign is to encourage Triangle Commuters to try an alternative mode of transportation in an effort to help save our environment, reduce the stress of traffic congestion and save money on expensive gas prices.

This year, each of the sponsors is hosting events across the Triangle area including a Fare FREE Day, a “Stuff the Bus” food drive and various give-aways to show appreciation to our bus riders and operators.

If you are on Twitter, you should be following these accounts

Go here is you want to participate in the scavenger hunt and win free stuff.

by Leo Suarez

Follow Up, Top Ten Empty Spaces to Fill Around Downtown

I may turn this post into a yearly thing so that we can follow the retail scene in downtown Raleigh. About a year ago, I posted a list of ten empty spaces that should be filled with retail or office space or something. In my opinion, they were the top ten spaces that get a lot of exposure and should be contributing to the downtown sidewalk culture. Now, we can take a look at the progress and see what else has changed in a years time.

The 2008 top ten list:

  1. Progress Energy II
  2. Wilmington and Martin Street
  3. 14 West Martin Street
  4. 114 Fayetteville Street
  5. The Raleigh Sandwich Shop
  6. Odd Fellows
  7. Commerce Place
  8. Boylan Pearce
  9. The Depot
  10. City Market

Unfortunately, there is not much to report. The current state of this list is very similar to the state it was in about a year ago. The old Music Hall at 14 West Martin street now has Club Fourteen and the City Market building has on-going construction work in the half facing Martin Street while the back half sits empty. Jibarra has opened in The Depot space but the rest of the building still sits empty. The emptiness at 114 Fayetteville has spread next door with the closing of the Fayetteville Street Tavern.

New Additions:

  • RBC Plaza – This tower offers three retail spaces to the core of downtown. Unfortunately, they have been empty for almost a year.
  • Hargett Street – The intersection of Hargett and Wilmington streets has become one of downtown’s busiest and the empty spaces along the 100 block of East Hargett street is missing out on the action.
  • The Hue – The condos are for sale and so is the empty retail space along Dawson and Hargett.
  • Joe’s Place – Who will add more neon to the now closed Joe’s Place at 301 Martin Street?

by Leo Suarez

Raleigh’s First Law School Opens Up

Campbell Law School started classes yesterday in their new building on Hillsborough Street. The renovations that have been taking place for over a year were mostly on the interior of the building. There is well-placed signage on each side of the building making it hard to miss. This is a unique addition to downtown and we’ll see lots of benefits in having the school located here. Raleigh is now NOT the largest capital city to not have a law school!

The parking lot across the street is now being used and the city definitely did not pretty up this lot. I’m not complaining though, the lot looks very temporary with gravel, wooden barriers, and moveable concrete curbs. Wires were probably not run under the ground too seeing as they are solar powered. If a developer was interested in this lot, the city could clear out on the cheap.

by Leo Suarez

.biz – State Bar plans new headquarters | newsobserver.com blogs

The N.C. State Bar is poised to build a four-story, $14 million headquarters in downtown Raleigh.

The state agency, which regulates the legal profession, has secured a site at the corner of Blount and Edenton streets for a new 60,000-square-foot building that it expects to begin constructing next year. Target date for occupying the building is the first half of 2012, said Tom Lunsford, executive director.

via .biz – State Bar plans new headquarters | newsobserver.com blogs.

by Leo Suarez

Candidate Forum Videos

I attended the Raleigh City Council candidate forum last night and decided to be a citizen and not a blogger. Transit dominated the questions from the audience and I believe it will continue to be that way from here on out. MyNC has some videos as well as some other information about the candidates posted here.

Need to know what district you are in? Go here for all the right information.


Opening statements from Russ Stephenson (At-Large), and Lee Sartain (At-Large), and closing statements from Nancy McFarlane. (District A) Video link


Opening statements from Rodger Koopman (District B), John Odom (District B), and James West. (District C) Video link


Opening statements from Ted Van Dyk (District D), Thomas Crowder (District D), and Bonner Gaylord. (District E) Video link

Source: MyNC – Raleigh Council Candidates Square Off