Unsafe building to cause weekend traffic delays in downtown Raleigh

An unsafe building at the corner of South Wilmington and East Martin streets is expected to cause traffic delays in downtown Raleigh throughout the weekend, city officials said Friday.

Crews blocked the sidewalk and right lane of South Wilmington Street from East Martin to East Cabarrus streets, after learning that Lucky Street Sweepstakes Café, at 301 S. Wilmington St., was structurally unsafe.

According to the City of Raleigh, the foundation of the two-story building, which dates to the 1870s, is cracking, and a post supporting a beam is also deteriorating.

The building's owner decided to demolish the front portion after crews determined the building structure was unsafe for workers to perform the needed repairs.

Motorists coming into downtown Raleigh from the south should use South McDowell and Person streets to avoid delays.

City officials said they anticipate South Wilmington Street traffic to be flowing smoothly again by peak traffic Monday morning.