Raleigh, N.C. — Raleigh has taken significant steps forward in terms of growth, according to data released Friday by the Downtown Raleigh Alliance.

Thirty-eight businesses opened, 92 residential units were created and 155,000-square-feet of office space not occupied a year ago were leased, the group said.

In a couple weeks, the city will celebrate with the second Raleigh Wide Open to commemorate the changes to downtown over the past year. The first Raleigh Wide Open marked the reopening of Fayetteville Street on July 30, 2006.

“A lot of people feel good that we’re headed in the right direction,” said David Diaz, with Downtown Raleigh Alliance.

Residents can expect Raleigh's skyline to change along with the other growth. West at North, the RBC Plaza and Marriott Hotel all broke ground this year.

And $200 million of new investments are already in the plans. They include new restaurants, a public plaza, a commercial district and parking structures.