RALEIGH, N.C. — Traffic lights will be the only decorations you see in downtown Raleigh for the holiday.

The city has thousands of lights, but city leaders say they do not have the money to fix the wires in them that had corroded over the years at a cost of about $1,000 each.

"I don't think they're being a Scrooge. I think they're being frugal with their money, which I think they ought to be," said John Odom, of the Greater Raleigh Merchants' Association.

City officials also point to another reason. Fayetteville Street Mall was supposed to be under construction at the time, so officials thought it was not worth putting up the decorations.

"Once Fayetteville Street has opened back up, there might be an opportunity to have the merchants pitch in and do it like we used to in the old days," Odom said.

"I hope and pray they put them back up because it will keep us all in the Christmas spirit," resident Jean Bryant said.

It is not the only holiday tradition that has been changed due to the construction at Fayetteville Street Mall. This year's

First Night

celebration will be held at the BTI Center.