Ah, that new plaza smell! Better than a new car any day. Generators, paint ... and the scent of a creative culture.

The new City Plaza doesn't officially open until the massive Raleigh Wide Open street party on Oct 24 (www.raleighconvention.com), but now's a fun time to get a sneak peek. The frantic planting and polishing give the place vim and vigor. And there's art to ogle and argue about (see pics)!

Raleigh's long enjoyed a reputation for smarts -- and City Plaza will deliver on that rep with light-and-sound towers and crisply designed kiosks. The art installations are something new to downtown. We're split on what stands out and what should be put out -- but that's half the fun. The multi-colored whiskered cat is vaguely reminiscent of the Picasso that went up decades ago in front of Chicago's John Hancock tower, which in turn reminds us of Chicago's truly awesome Millennium Park (http://www.millenniumpark.org/artandarchitecture/ ). Could the plaza become our own, smaller-scale must-see attraction?

And does this burst of creativity signal more to come -- perhaps in the interactive vein of Sweden's get-moving piano staircase? See what we mean here and get ready to get happy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw