-
Decorate with Raleigh
Downtown Raleigh, North Carolina 
State Capitol, Raleigh, North Carolina 
Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, North C... 
Greetings from Raleigh, North Carolina
Jan
31
I got your Twin City right here…
We continue to grow, jumping Minneaplois to become the 49th largest city in the country. The water cooler question of the day: is this growth a sign of health and vigor or are we busting at the seams and struggling to keep up?
According to biannual population estimates released by the Growth Management Division of the City of Raleigh Department of City Planning, Raleigh has grown to become the 49th largest city in the country, surpassing Minneapolis, Minn., in population.
Raleigh’s estimated population as of Jan. 1, 2008, is 374,320, an increase of 6,325 persons since July 1, 2007 when the city’s population was estimated to be 367,995. The city’s population increased by 14,988, or 4.17 percent, from Jan. 1, 2007 to Jan. 1, 2008. Estimates are based on the number of dwelling units, the average number of people per household and the dwelling occupancy/vacancy averages.
Dec
28
Opening up the Vault: The Mint Restaurant Prepares to Open
Filed Under Development, Food and Beverage | 45 Comments
The Mint, a controversial new Fayetteville Street restaurant, is getting close to opening. If you walk down Exchange Plaza, you’ll notice that an outdoor seating area has been added complete with outdoor heating. And if you peer into the windows at the 219 Fayetteville Street / One Exchange Plaza address you can see that the floors are done, the tables are there and a lot of the artwork is already on the walls.
It looks nice, but the question is: Will it be good enough to justify everything the city has invested in it? Yes, it’s been rumored/heard that the city has invested in this restaurant.
It’s no secret that the city wants the newly reopened Fayetteville Street to be a huge success. Nevertheless, it hardly seems fair to other restaurant owners in the downtown area – especially those existing restaurants on Fayetteville Street who had to weather a lull during the construction period. Why does the Mint get help when everyone else has to fend for themselves? On top of that, I’ve heard that the Mint is supposed to be an upscale place. I wonder how lower-income taxpayers feel about helping to pay for a place that they might never be able to afford.
That said, look for me in Exchange Plaza on New Years. I’ll just be the one asking for my 10% tax-payers discount…
Editors note: Take this story for what you will. It should not be considered fact, and if quotable sources were available they’d be included. That said, it you have news or know more about The Mint and the city’s involvement, feel free to contribute with a comment.
Nov
19
Trader Joe’s Coming to Raleigh in ‘09
Filed Under Development | 5 Comments
As predicted by many, Raleigh will be getting a Trader Joe’s. It will be a couple of years though. From the TBJ:
It’s official: Trader Joe’s is coming to Raleigh.
A spokeswoman for the specialty grocer, which has built a large following around the country, said Trader Joe’s will open a 12,000-square-foot location at the corner of Wake Forest Road and Interstate 440.
Read our post about the Holly Park Shopping Center from back in July, after which several of our readers predicted not only that we’d get a Trader Joe’s but also where it would end up. Smart folks.
Oct
3
What are your thoughts on the recently approved (and rejected) plans for Hillsborough Street? Discuss it in the RFP forums!
Sep
20
Local Restaurants to Join RDU
Filed Under Development, Food and Beverage | 7 Comments
Triangle Business Journal is reporting that Carolina Ale House and 42nd Street Oyster Bar will be among several new additions to RDU’s newly renovated Terminal C.
It will be interesting to see if this is little more than a name-lending move for these notable local establishments, particularly the Oyster Bar. An ‘Olde Raleigh mainstay steeped in tradition, I find it interesting that they’d look to expand into such an impersonal arena. It also seems curious they’d risk their brand by sharing walls with a cheese-ball gift shop or a burger joint full of disgruntled employees. I don’t really think the the downtown location will suffer from this and I’m sure that the regulars could care less, but like an ill-prepared oyster, it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Links:
Full article from TBJ
RDU Terminal C Developments
42nd Street Oyster Bar
Sep
13
We’ve already said that we’re big fans of historical restoration in which buildings get new life through new and creative uses. If you share this outlook, you should definitely check out what Greg Paul Builders and Burning Coal Theater are doing with the old Murphey School Auditorium.
The Murphey School opened near Oakwood in 1908. A few years after being built it caught fire and burned to the ground. It was promptly rebuilt in 1913, and years later it became Raleigh’s first integrated public school when William Cambell began attending in September of 1960. It has been preserved as a historic site for a number of years and parts of it have been converted into living areas for elderly residents. Read more
Aug
23
Raleigh’s City Plaza
Filed Under Development | Leave a Comment
Are you up to speed with the plans for Raleigh’s City Plaza? I started to research the project for a post and came across Bob Geary’s article on Indyweek.com. It covers everything from Jim Goodman’s initial plan for a raised public square to a current design and layout centered around shopping. The primary reason stated for accepting the latter was the activity retail environments can create. Read more
-
Stay Informed
