I don’t think anything has been yet. The scaffolding was for exterior preservation work.
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Just here to say that Fayetteville Street has new life in my opinion. The opening of birdie’s, primo, diced, sir Walter, combined with the upgrades to some of the facades of late has really put new energy into the street, which is REALLY IMPORTANT to the success of Hargett st, Wilmington st, Blount St, and Martin St feeling more like a downtown district.
I’m impressed just thinking about what Fayetteville St may be if we can get some improvements to the sidewalks, added string lights, patio sets, etc.
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#Fayetteville Street Strong
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Should be being announced/coming soon (?). I’ve been patiently waiting for the Fayetteville Street RFQ results (was supposed to be on October 4):
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I did see that Sir Walter did open today. Between Sir Walter, Chido, and Haymaker, that corner may be a bit more active. I’ll probably know more this Friday after work. There is an empty restaurant space also right across from Sir Walter. Hopefully that gets filled as well.
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Just found out that the firm has been selected for the RFQ and the contract will be awarded/determined to be awarded at the November 6th city council meeting
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A post was merged into an existing topic: Show Off Things From Other Cities
Went to Birdie’s last night for cocktails after dinner. Really nice space and that whole block definitely feels more alive!
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We wife and I ate there on Sunday after church. Super nice ambiance in the restaurant. Wonderful amounts of natural lighting with the gigantic windows. Both food and service were excellent. Will be back soon. I agree that the vibe in that block now feels different!
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in watching the oct 15 city council discussion on ‘social districts’ does fay st lend itself to be one of the better ones that could exist? with some evening and weekend changes?
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but apparently ABC11 is moving from Fayetteville St. to a bigger space in Downtown Durham 
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I never watched it, but I thought WTVD was filmed in Durham. Raleigh’s station was WRAL.
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I don’t think I’ve watched local news on a TV since the 90s, but I thought it was cool that they were there downtown.
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While it’s definitely interesting to walk by them from time-to-time, it doesn’t really bring a whole lot to the area. It’s right next to a couple of good food spots and usually has a homeless person sitting on the bench out front watching the TV they put there.
Kind of stinks to lose it if it just sits empty for a long time, but if they can get a good restaurant or other kind of interesting tenant, I think it could turn out for the better.
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Actually that’s not entirely true. According to the N&O:
The ABC11 Raleigh Eyewitness News Center, a Fayetteville Street staple since 2005, will still have reporters and photographers based there.
https://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/tv-movies/warm-tv-blog/article294726494.html
I actually wish they’d move entirely in order to free up that space which contributes nothing to the street right now.
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Posting pictures that again highlight part of the reason why Fayetteville St can be dead downtown, while other places like Moore Square get more action at night (see my photos in the Moore Square thread).
The pictures were about 7:30PM.
Left: Walking under the lit, but very boring Duke Energy building. Mustang House was open, but it’s really hidden which does nothing for Fayetteville street.
Center: Sorry for the bad quality, but in this blurred photo, we see 2 closed restaurants (Shish Kabob and Fire Wok).
Right: Not only are Fire Wok and Shish Kabob closed, but the Truist building does nothing for foot traffic here.
Left: Jimmy John’s was closed
Center: Element, was the only place in City Plaza that was open.
Right: Even Starbucks is closed on Fayetteville Street.
Sir Walter was pretty empty unfortunately. I’m hoping this changes as time goes along. Chido Taco did have some people sitting outside.
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Interesting aggressive take here. I’d agree with you if and only if we didn’t have vacancies on Fayetteville St already. Pick a bone with the two dozen vacant storefronts, not ABC11. I like the ticker and how the station’s presence adds a little prominence to the street IMO. When they roll the blinds up people do stop and take a peek at the studio, it’s kinda cool. Happy they are staying. The anchors are just moving to the Durham studio, it’s not much of a change, and they’re not building a new studio in Durham either. Just consolidating operations into their existing space in Durham.
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if i happened to live a few blocks off of Fayetteve St…if it had more regular evening ‘stuff’ …encouraged walkers for laps, outdoor dining in temperate weather, circulating public art, string lights, some retail staples, and maybe kimbrells being converted into sort type of covered plaza,etc…i would walk or bike their regularly…its somewhat comforting and insulated from heavy loud traffic. the news 11 thing their at this point just seems a neon distraction.
I wouldn’t underestimate the ‘saw something interesting’ factor of the news station. For me it’s little moments of ‘oh what’s that place/thing?’ that makes a good city experience. Aren’t people on this forum always complaining that there’s nothing to do besides eat and drink? IMO a string of little serendipities can fill that gap, not always big experience-oriented venues. Peeking in a window and seeing something memorable.
I do think, however, it’s far less valuable for that purpose without the possibility of glancing in and seeing a live broadcast. So if the anchors are gone, that’s a bummer.
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