Raleigh, N.C. — Fayetteville Street could have a new look by next summer.
A new concept design is on the table, four months after the city rejected a project by international artist Jaume Plensa.
The city now has developed a virtual view that demonstrates the vision for a plaza on Fayetteville Street.
“We have a large, flexible central space,” says Dan Douglas of the city's Urban Design Center. What will make the plaza attractive, he says, isn't what's in the center, but rather businesses around it that appeal to downtown visitors.
“We're working really hard with all the adjacent property owners to draw restaurants, cafes, newsstands—activities that will support everyday life in the downtown,” Douglas says.
Last October, the Raleigh City Counsel rejected Plensa’s proposed art project. The design featured a lot of lights, and it had a lot of critics who lamented its blocking the view down Fayetteville Street.
“This will be for events and parades down the middle,” Douglas says.
Douglas says the open concept is in keeping with the parameters the Raleigh City Council laid out last October. It would provide infrastructure that would lay the groundwork for future art projects, from temporary designs to hi-tech art displays.
“It's a place where it'll draw people,” Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker says. The council is prepared to spend the $10 million necessary to upgrade the plaza's infrastructure, he says.
Council members will get to see this concept design for the first time Tuesday. If they sign off on it, a formal plan could be in place by April.
The goal is to have the plaza done by June 2008.
Related Items
Video
![[search]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/presentation/v1/images/icons/16x12/search-form-icon.gif)
Site Search
City Has a Plaza in Mind for Fayetteville Street
- Reporter: Ken Smith
- Photographer: Nathan Monroe
- Web Editor: Ron Gallagher
Copyright 2008 by WRAL.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
News Alerts to your Email & Cell Phone15 Comments
-
- Memorial dedication held for Nancy Cooper
Updated Oct. 12 10:57 p.m. |
- New UNC chancellor installed
Updated Oct. 12 8:58 p.m. | - WFR High graduate killed in wreck
Updated at 12:01 a.m. | - Attorney: Marine fighting extradition from Mexico
Updated Oct. 12 6:44 a.m. - Fed approves Wells Fargo's Wachovia buy
Updated Oct. 12 10:59 p.m. |
- Memorial dedication held for Nancy Cooper
- Most Viewed Slideshows
- Nancy Cooper case images
Aug. 7, 2008 - Photos of the week
Oct. 11, 2008 - Viewer Submitted Halloween Photos
Nov 5, 2007
- Nancy Cooper case images
STORIES
VIDEOS
SLIDESHOWS
IMAGES
BLOG POSTSAsk Anything
-
10 questions with Greg FishelWRAL's chief meteorologist answers your questions about severe weather, snow and why he loves his job.
-
10 questions with a WRAL.com moderatorA WRAL.com moderator answers your questions about comments on stories, abuse reports and more.
-
10 questions with N.C. Secretary of Crime Control & Public SafetyBryan Beatty answers your questions about homeland security, gang prevention and illegal immigrants.
top-voted stories
(1 votes) new unc chancellor installed
(1 votes) wfr high graduate killed in wreck
Multimedia
-
The week in entertainmentThe newsmakers in the entertainment world this week as seen through the lenses of Associated Press photographers' cameras.
-
Photos of the weekSee the major events of the week as caught in the lenses of Associated Press photographers.
-
Global financial meltdownA look at the global impact of the financial crisis, with market data and summaries of plans for several countries.
-
Compare attack adsThe Associated Press evaluates two negative ads getting attention in the presidential campaign.
-
Campaign Trail Photos of the WeekView photos from the past week on the campaign trail from AP photographers around the country.
Multimedia
-
The week in entertainment
The newsmakers in the entertainment world this week as seen through the lenses of Associated Press photographers' cameras.
-
Photos of the week
See the major events of the week as caught in the lenses of Associated Press photographers.
-
Global financial meltdown
A look at the global impact of the financial crisis, with market data and summaries of plans for several countries.
-
Compare attack ads
The Associated Press evaluates two negative ads getting attention in the presidential campaign.
-
Campaign Trail Photos of the Week
View photos from the past week on the campaign trail from AP photographers around the country.
Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.
You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.