Raleigh City Council Gives Green Light For Two Downtown Projects

RALEIGH, N.C. — Plans to improve downtown Raleigh have been talked about for months, but on Tuesday, those plans were finalized by the City Council.

With just a few minor changes, the city council gave the go-ahead to a design plan that will open

Fayetteville Street Mall

to traffic. The next step is to find a way to pay the $9 million cost for the project.

The Raleigh City Council also voted to give an initial green light to Stormont Noble Development out of Atlanta to build a Marriot hotel in the downtown area. The hotel will include 400 guest rooms, including 15 suites, an 9,000 square-foot grand ballroom, 400 square feet of retail space and a pool and fitness spa.

Officials said the project will be tied to a new downtown convention center.

"We are going to want to be in Raleigh and Wake County for a very long time," said Mitesh Shah of Stormont Noble Development. "This is not a situation where you develop a hotel, shake your hand, say 'thank you very much' and leave and flip this hotel."

On Tuesday, city leaders and county commissioners entered into a formal agreement to use $200 million in hotel and food tax to pay for some of the proposed convention center and hotel.

Previous Stories About Fayetteville Street Mall:

January 16, 2004:

Fayetteville Street Mall Plans Move Forward

November 6, 2003:

Raleigh Unveils Plan For Fayetteville Street Mall

September 8, 2003:

Raleigh Officials Have Plan To Pay For Fayetteville Street Mall Project

September 3, 2003:

Critics Concerned About Conflict Of Interest With Downtown Raleigh Projects

August 4, 2003:

Plans To Revitalize Fayetteville Street Mall Remain On Track

May 9, 2002:

Will Businesses Head Downtown If Raleigh Officials Reopen Fayetteville Street?

April 8, 2002:

Plans To Re-Open 'Fayetteville Street' Mall Gain Momentum

April 8, 2002:

Raleigh's City Market Suffering Effects Of Slow Economy

March 14, 2002:

Raleigh Group To Present Plans For Pedestrian Mall Changes

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