“When a beautiful place for people is created in the center of the city, that space is invested with special meaning; it becomes the city’s heart, the place to be. There is great symbolic significance in creating a civic space at a central location: devotion of a portion of the city’s most valuable land to public use and enjoyment shows that a clear emphasis has been put on the quality of life of residents and visitors. Such a central place also has a functional significance as a setting for leisure activity and the celebration of urban life in the heart of the city. A central space that is well designed and maintained also will enhance the economic value of the land around it. The elements essential to creating a successful place are good location, optimal size, programming that creates a people-friendly atmosphere and design that promotes maximum use.” Cy Paumier, “Creating a Vibrant City Center: Urban Design and Regeneration Principles”, published 2004, The Urban Land Institute
The opening of City Plaza completes 12 months of work in the heart of the city to transform the 500 block of Fayetteville Street into the Triangle’s defining cultural and social public place. Today the plaza stands ready to welcome concerts, markets and just about any event that celebrates life as we know it, love it and live it here in the Triangle.
Design elements of the plaza include flexible seating, an interactive water fountain, planters and trees. The design of the plaza was a collaborative effort of the City of Raleigh, the City’s design consultant, Kimley-Horn and Associates; and the Project of Public Spaces, a New York-based firm specializing in the analysis and design of public gathering spaces. The design was developed with considerable input from the public and from City boards and commissions at design workshops in the fall of 2006. Kimley-Horn is an engineering and land planning firm with an office in Downtown Raleigh.
The work on the plaza was done by Atlanta-based Holder Construction Co., a 49-year-old national commercial construction services firm. Cost for the construction of the plaza was $14.8 million.
Greensboro artist Jim Galluci created the four, 55-foot City of Oaks towers that are the plaza’s signature. The lighting for the towers was designed by Carrboro-based Colorlume, Inc. The lower designs integrate light emitting diode (LED) lights, stainless steel oak leaves and a hidden area that contains power/electrical panels that are to be used for various plaza events. The towers also offer a granite bumper seat to accommodate visitors to the plaza in need of a break. The project also contains bollards throughout the plaza that incorporate the Raleigh-themed oak leaf design and lights. The bollards are positioned to control traffic.
The interactive fountain is sure to delight plaza pedestrians for ages to come, as will the interactive LED panels that have bee especially created for the electrical enclosures north and south of the plaza.
Charter Square
Charter Square is the patch of green south of the Bank of America Building. The City covered the area with Astroturf to provide a green space for special events or just a lunch break. It is the site of Art Raleigh for Raleigh Wide Open 4.
In December and January Charter Square will be transformed into a winter wonderland. An ice rink will be installed, creating real ice. The skating season will begin with the AT&T Winterfest, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 4. The December First Friday will feature local choirs and bands, terrific figure skaters, a reading by “A Christmas Carol’s” Ira David Wood III, a dazzling tree lighting, a music headliner and of course a visit from Ole St. Nick! And it’s all free!
Pavilions
The four glass-enclosed, 900-square-foot pavilions that anchor the corners of City Plaza will be occupied by The Collectors Gallery, Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches, Krispy Kreme and Shish Kabob. The Collector Gallery and Krispy Kreme are open for RWO4. The other two businesses will open in early winter.
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
