Downtown Raleigh Alliance reveals complete plans, schematics for future development, look of Raleighwood [Video]

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — On Tuesday, Raleigh’s downtown economic development strategy was presented in full to city leaders for the first time, clearing the way for work to begin on certain, short-term aspects of the multi-year plan in the coming months.

Phase 2 of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance’s (DRA) plan includes new ideas for driving downtown growth outside of the Fayetteville Street corridor — which was the focus of Phase 1, presented in February — with city leaders stressing the urgency to get the project off the ground.

“Whatever we can be doing to just start getting stuff moving on the ground I think that sends a huge message,” said Mayor Pro Tem Jonathan Melton, who also chairs Raleigh’s Economic Development and Innovation Committee.

The final phase presented on Tuesday includes recommendations to implement free 2-hour parkingin city-owned parking decks downtown, emphasize public art in downtown spaces like City Plaza and Market Plaza, and finalize a connection between downtown and …