Downtown Raleigh is set for an exciting transformation, and Fayetteville Street, its central artery, is at the heart of it all. The Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA) and the City of Raleigh have unveiled the initial recommendations from the Downtown Raleigh Economic Development Strategy, spearheaded by Interface Studio. These recommendations, focusing on the revitalization of Fayetteville Street Raleigh Nc, aim to propel downtown growth and adapt to the evolving urban landscape.
As the core of downtown and a symbolic center for North Carolina, a vibrant Fayetteville Street district is crucial. These first ten recommendations provide a roadmap to activate Fayetteville Street, ensuring it thrives as downtown Raleigh continues to evolve and meet the challenges and opportunities of the modern era.
For a comprehensive look at these exciting plans, explore the full report and delve deeper into the Economic Development Strategy project on the dedicated webpage here.
Your input is invaluable! Share your thoughts and feedback on these draft recommendations with the project team through the feedback form available here.
This initial phase is just the beginning. The Economic Development Strategy is a dynamic process, currently at its midpoint. Future stages will further refine the Fayetteville Street vision and broaden the strategy to encompass downtown-wide initiatives, including:
- Developing a robust retail strategy for downtown Raleigh.
- Analyzing and strategically positioning the downtown office market.
- Enhancing opportunities for Women- and Minority-owned businesses.
- Generating innovative, big ideas for the future of Downtown Raleigh.
Stay informed about upcoming public engagement opportunities and track the progress of this transformative project by signing up for updates here.
Community Engagement: Shaping the Future of Fayetteville Street
The foundation of these recommendations is strong community involvement. Interface Studio, in collaboration with DRA, prioritized extensive community engagement to ensure the Economic Development Strategy truly reflects the shared aspirations and opportunities for Downtown Raleigh.
This commitment to inclusivity involved direct interviews with key stakeholders, focus groups, community meetings, and interactive pop-up events. Over 65 interviews and focus group sessions brought together a diverse spectrum of community members, ensuring a wide range of perspectives informed the process. This crucial feedback loop was instrumental in shaping resilient recommendations designed to foster a thriving and inclusive Downtown Raleigh, built for everyone.
Fayetteville Street in Raleigh, NC, showcasing a vibrant street scene with pedestrians and businesses.
Ten Bold Recommendations to Revitalize Fayetteville Street in Raleigh, NC
The “Activating Fayetteville Street” report presents ten key recommendations, each designed to inject new energy into Fayetteville Street Raleigh NC and forge stronger connections with surrounding neighborhoods. These ideas are bold, forward-thinking, and aim to create a more dynamic and engaging downtown core.
1. Reimagine Fayetteville Street’s Streetscape Design with Thematic Variations
Envision Fayetteville Street as the verdant heart of Downtown Raleigh and a welcoming gateway to North Carolina. The goal is to create a vibrant destination that attracts visitors and seamlessly connects neighboring districts. Proposed enhancements include modernizing street furniture, creating adaptable spaces for events and recreation, and clearly defining zones for commercial activity. This refreshed streetscape will enhance the pedestrian experience and create a more inviting atmosphere along Fayetteville Street Raleigh NC.
Conceptual sidewalk modules illustrating flexible space design for Fayetteville Street in Raleigh, NC.
2. Prioritize Foundational Elements: Cleanliness, Safety, and Vibrancy
A safe and well-maintained environment is paramount for a thriving downtown. Perceptions of safety are significantly influenced by the quality of public spaces, including street maintenance, sidewalks, and landscaping. By focusing on these fundamental aspects, Raleigh can create a superior visitor experience, fostering positive impressions, encouraging word-of-mouth recommendations, and driving repeat visits to Fayetteville Street and Downtown Raleigh.
3. Develop a Family-Centric Exploration Route around Fayetteville Street Attractions
Downtown Raleigh boasts an impressive array of attractions. However, these assets currently feel somewhat disconnected. By strategically investing in improved connectivity between business districts and neighborhoods, and by curating engaging, safe, and educational activities for families, Downtown Raleigh can become a more appealing destination for family outings. This approach will encourage families to spend more time downtown, creating lasting memories and benefiting local businesses.
4. Elevate Downtown Raleigh Marketing as “North Carolina’s Main Street”
Positioning downtown Raleigh as “North Carolina’s Main Street” can be achieved by strategically clustering retail and restaurant offerings around a “Best in North Carolina” theme. Coupled with thoughtful public space design, this approach will draw more people to the downtown core. Strategic reinvestment and support for current and future businesses, anchored by a unique district identity, will enhance downtown Raleigh’s attractiveness for both residents and visitors, solidifying Fayetteville Street Raleigh NC as a key destination.
City Plaza gateway in Raleigh, NC, depicting a daytime scene with pedestrian activity.
5. Celebrate and Promote Raleigh’s Historic Black Business District
Raleigh’s Black Business District holds significant cultural and historical importance and deserves greater recognition and integration within Downtown Raleigh. Enhancing the visibility of Black-owned businesses through targeted marketing, incorporating storytelling through public art installations, and hosting placemaking events will honor the rich legacy of this area and cultivate an environment where these businesses can flourish. This initiative will enrich the cultural tapestry of Fayetteville Street Raleigh NC and downtown as a whole.
6. Increase Residential Density On and Around Fayetteville Street
Despite the addition of over 5,300 residential units in Downtown Raleigh since 2020, a majority are not located directly on or near Fayetteville Street. Strategic redevelopment along Fayetteville Street, promoting mixed-use developments, attracting coffee shops and businesses that complement residential density, and addressing parking considerations are crucial steps. These measures will cultivate a healthy mix of residents, workers, and visitors, providing consistent support for businesses in the area and activating Fayetteville Street Raleigh NC.
Screenshot depicting residential development in the vicinity of Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC.
7. Leverage Public Spaces to Enhance Neighborhood Livability
Attractive and vibrant public spaces that cater to community needs are essential for a thriving downtown. Exploring innovative uses of lighting, public art, and creative wayfinding can strengthen connections between downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. Furthermore, developing flexible public spaces capable of hosting both large-scale and smaller community events will enhance the livability and appeal of Downtown Raleigh for residents and businesses alike, extending the vibrancy beyond Fayetteville Street.
8. Reposition City Plaza as Downtown Raleigh’s Welcoming “Front Porch”
City Plaza has the potential to become the true heart of the city, a dynamic public space offering a diverse range of experiences, from food and beverage options to artisanal products, art exhibitions, and live entertainment. While City Plaza is currently designed to accommodate major festivals and concerts, its everyday appeal can be significantly enhanced. Strategic investments in City Plaza can transform it into a welcoming “front porch” for Downtown Raleigh, inviting residents and visitors to experience all that the city has to offer, starting right on Fayetteville Street.
Aerial view of City Plaza in Raleigh, NC, showcasing the potential for public space activation.
9. Cultivate Growth in Raleigh’s Arts and Entertainment District
Capitalizing on larger-scale development opportunities to create customized venues for destination entertainment and unique restaurant concepts will significantly bolster Fayetteville Street’s appeal. This strategic development will strengthen Downtown Raleigh’s association with arts and entertainment, attracting a wider range of visitors, workers, and residents seeking engaging experiences beyond the typical workday, further activating Fayetteville Street Raleigh NC.
10. Establish a Bold and Seamless Connection South of Downtown
Significant investments are underway south of the downtown core, including the transformative Dix Park, Heritage Park, and numerous mixed-use developments. Creating strong connections is paramount, not only linking Dix Park directly to the downtown core but also integrating neighborhoods and key destinations along the connecting routes. This enhanced connectivity will expand the downtown experience and ensure Fayetteville Street Raleigh NC benefits from these broader developments.
Screenshot highlighting development areas south of downtown Raleigh, NC, emphasizing connectivity.
These ten recommendations are rooted in fostering a culture of innovation and calculated risk-taking, embracing flexibility to generate vibrancy and activity throughout Fayetteville Street. They are also designed to integrate the Fayetteville Street district into the broader network of downtown amenities, neighborhoods, and cultural institutions, creating a cohesive and thriving urban center.
The Economic Development Strategy project is progressing steadily, with ongoing efforts to refine these recommendations and build momentum for their implementation. Throughout the spring, the DRA and consultant team will continue to engage with stakeholders, focusing on developing actionable next steps in key areas such as Office, Retail, MWBE (Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises), and Catalytic Projects.
Full Report | Part 1: Activating Fayetteville Street
Published February 8th, 2024
Download the full, compressed report here for a deeper dive into the recommendations.
Provide your valuable feedback on the draft recommendations by completing the form here.
The culmination of this process, anticipated in mid-2024, will be a comprehensive strategy and toolkit empowering our community to cultivate a vibrant and prosperous Downtown Raleigh that continues to flourish and exceed expectations. The DRA team is dedicated to guiding this effort, confident that collaborative community action will build a future for Downtown Raleigh that surpasses even our most ambitious visions.
Explore the overall strategy webpage for more context and information here.
