BEST (Beautifying Emerging Spaces Together): Look for our first storefront art at the Hue on February’s First Friday!

In October, I wrote a blog post for the Downtown Living Advocates asking:  

Are you an artist, teacher or volunteer, who shares a vision for residents creating community through creativity?  Do you own a vacant downtown property that is ripe for a face lift?  Together we can transform sidelined windows into magnets for inspiration and activity. 

Two months later, I’m ready to introduce BEST, a team of Downtown Raleigh residents, business leaders and artists who have come together with the mission of BEAUTIFYING EMERGING SPACES TOGETHER.  Our vision has morphed and grown according to the imagination and individual skills of each person who has joined our table, often over coffee at the Wilmoore Cafe.  This seems fitting, somehow.  It reminds me of my dad perched along the drug store counter drinking coffee with his friends.  I feel the same kind of community in this group, as each person holds up his corner of the conversation. 

Let me describe some of the people around the table. 

Click to read more ...

First Meeting of 2012

DLA members met for the first meeting of 2012 at the Urban Design Center this month. This January is special because it is the three year anniversary of the DLA. What started with just a few members has now grown to over 540 members. And the momentum continues.

At the meeting tonight, we went over a few topics:

• A new draft of the Unified Development Ordinance is out for public review
• Be on the lookout for new DLA shirts
• In the near future, the DLA website will be redesigned with new features to keep you engaged with what is going on downtown as well as take your feedback on any issues you can think of

Two events for you to put down on your calendar are:

• The next DLA mixer will be at Spy Raleigh on February 1st at 5:30pm
• The next Moore Square cleanup will be on Saturday, February 4th at 11am.

Downtown residents invited to the DRA Annual Meeting and Achievement Awards Ceremony

As we move into the new year, the Downtown Living Advocates would like to build on the mutual goals and relationships that we share with other Downtown organizations.  

We've got the perfect evening for you

Curious to know what’s happening in your own backyard?  Want to get to know more of your neighbors?  How about the business owners that drive so many decisions in the downtown area?  

Come join other DLA members at the DRA (Downtown Raleigh Alliance) Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, February 23^rd from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Raleigh Convention Center.

And don’t worry, just because it’s called an “annual meeting” doesn’t mean it’s going to be all business.  The DRA invites you to: 

• Meet new people. 
• Network at the pre-event reception from 5 pm to 6 pm (beer and wine included)! 
• Enjoy a three-course dinner. 
• Listen to a great presentation by marketing expert Roger Brooks.  His topic of conversation? Key ingredients for an outstanding destination. 
• Celebrate the successes of downtown Raliegh with its biggest advocates. 
• Meet all the members of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance staff. 
• Get a great deal on tickets. 
• Have fun. 
• Support Downtown and the champions whose contributions are making a signifcant impact on downtown. 
• We want to meet you!

DLA members get more than half off the ticket price!

The DRA really wants to get more residents engaged in its efforts.  After all, residents are the lifeblood of any strong Downtown.  That’s why they're offering tickets to DLA members for only $25 each.  That’s more than half off the normal non-member price of $60.  Just think—beer and wine, food, fellowship, and a fun presentation all for only $25.  So tell your friends, get a group together, and come out for a great evening. You’ll be glad you did.

Already a DLA member (or not sure)?  Look up your profile and receive instructions on how to get your ticket discount.  

Not yet a DLA member?  Join now.  Your welcome message will include instructions on how to get your ticket discount.

We hope to see you there!

Peace Street Corridor: Picture a “complete street” with new park and greenway connections

Anyone who has traveled by foot, car or bike along Peace Street near the interchange with Capital Boulevard knows the difficulty of navigating this congested area.  There’s no question that it’s badly in need of a make over.  Good news!  There are plans underway to not just fix problems, but to transform this northern end of Downtown Raleigh into an attractive, vibrant place to live, work and play.

What starts with required bridge replacements over Peace Street, ends up driving a huge redevelopment opportunity with a new city park.

Here’s what’s in store.

Click to read more ...

December 2012 Moore Square Cleanup

On a beautiful sunny Saturday, members of the DLA met up in Moore Square and picked up trash. If you don't know already, the DLA has adopted Moore Square and will be planning more cleanups in the future. Typically the cleanup lasts an hour with a lunch outing immediately afterwards.

Thanks to all the members who showed up as well as the new friends from Activate Good.