Raleighnc.gov logo
Thank you for printing this page from the City of Raleigh's Official Website (www.raleighnc.gov)
https://raleighnc.gov/projects/city-plaza-improvements
04/11/2025 1:49 pm

Raleigh City Plaza

City Plaza Improvements

Short and mid-term Infrastructure improvements to enhance City Plaza activation and experience.

Updated: Apr 11, 2025

The Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA) completed a Public Realm Study in mid-2021 that identified strategies and ideas to support economic revitalization and re-invigorate our downtown through activations in the post-Covid era. Emerging out of the worst of the pandemic, there was the opportunity to proactively rethink our public realm, use lessons learned from the past, and improve our policies to position downtown Raleigh as a more flexible, creative and inclusive city of the future. The report identified near and long term strategies to re-invigorate our downtown through activations to encourage people to use our public outdoor spaces.

Project Details

 
Type:
City Properties and Facilities
Project Lead:
Dhanya Sandeep

Contact

 

Dhanya Sandeep
Urban Design Supervisor
Planning and Development
919-996-2659
dhanya.sandeep@raleighnc.gov

Chris Stebbins
Senior Urban Designer
Planning and Development
919-996-2655
christopher.stebbins@raleighnc.gov

Lead Department:
Planning and Development
Participating Department:
TransportationParks, Recreation and Cultural ResourcesSpecial EventsEngineering Services
Service Unit:
Urban Projects Group (UPG)

Subscribe

 

City Plaza as a Priority for Activation

Shades in City Plaza
New shades in City Plaza
Sitting out under the new shades in City Plaza

Short and mid-term infrastructure improvements to City Plaza topped the list of recommendations in the report that got Council approval for prioritization. Raleigh City Council allocated limited ARPA and CIP funds for implementation of shading solutions, light and sound upgrades, and small tactical design interventions at City Plaza.

Shading installations would foster more activation and use of the plaza space during the hotter months and support the numerous downtown special events that occur along Fayetteville Street.

Status Updates for Mid-Term Interventions

Movable Shading Solutions
Given the unique site conditions of City Plaza, the City commissioned an engineering study in 2023 to assess the feasibility of different shading design solutions at City Plaza. A shadow study was conducted by staff to understand the shading conditions throughout the year, with sections that receive the most year-round sun being prioritized. While thoughtfully designed permanent structures are deemed feasible, stakeholders preferred movable shade solutions as the near-term solution for City Plaza. The movable shading solutions would provide more flexibility to accommodate the diverse space needs of the Plaza.

Audio and Lighting System Upgrades to City Plaza Towers
Sound and lighting system upgrades to the decorative towers at City Plaza is led and managed by City of Raleigh Engineering Services and underway.

Project Funding

City Council approved limited American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 and CIP funding for all prioritized improvements to City Plaza that are underway. 

 

Related Projects

  All projects