Today at noon, Mayor Charles Meeker snipped the ribbon on the dedication stone and threw the switch on an interactive fountain, into which other officials and celebrants tossed commemorative coins opening Raleigh’s City Plaza.
Mayor Meeker thanked the two City Councils that supported the $14.8 million conversion of the 500 block of Fayetteville Street. The block had been the former site of the old Raleigh Civic Center that was begun in 1976 and opened in 1977. The block had been barren since Feb. 19, 2006, when the former civic center was imploded to make way for the revitalization of Fayetteville Street.
The Mayor also paid tribute to the City’s construction management team, led by the project’s manager, Bob Panella; the plaza’s engineer and landscape architect, Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc.; and the contractor, Holder Construction Co., all of whom worked together to complete the project on time and on budget. (Ground was broken on the project on Oct. 20, 2008.)
The Mayor also saluted the six artists who contributed to the distinctive signature of the plaza, especially Greensboro artist Jim Gallucci, creator of the four, 55-foot City of Oaks light towers. Mr. Meeker also thanked the members of the City’s Art Commission who led the task of choosing and obtaining the temporary art installations on the plaza’s pedestals.
Mayor Meeker also announced that starting today, the City is providing WiFi free in Downtown Raleigh. He thanked WindChannel and Cisco for partnering with the City to bring this service free to Downtown residents, workers and visitors.
Mayor Meeker also recognized the four businesses that will occupy the pavilions on the plaza. The Collectors Gallery on the plaza’s southeast corner, Krispy Kreme on the southwest corner, and Shishkabob on the northwest corner will be open as part of Saturday’s Raleigh Wide Open4 (RWO4). Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches will be open in the northeast pavilion in early December.
The Mayor officially opened the plaza by powering-up the interactive fountain. The attendees initiated the fountain by making a wish and tossing commemorative coins into the fountain.
The 500 block of Fayetteville Street that encompasses City Plaza, will be open to vehicular traffic Sunday morning, following the completion of RWO4.
Prepared by:
Jayne Kirkpatrick
Director
Public Affairs Department
For More Information Contact:
Jayne Kirkpatrick
Director
Public Affairs Department
222 West Hargett Street
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-996-3100
The Mayor also saluted the six artists who contributed to the distinctive signature of the plaza, especially Greensboro artist Jim Gallucci, creator of the four, 55-foot City of Oaks light towers. Mr. Meeker also thanked the members of the City’s Art Commission who led the task of choosing and obtaining the temporary art installations on the plaza’s pedestals.
