Bill King, president and CEO of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, opened the event by reflecting on how far the city has come. He described downtown's past as a "crisis," marked by empty storefronts, a failed pedestrian mall and a lack of activity after business hours.
"Downtown Raleigh had lost its place as well as heart," King said. "We've gone from a sleepy town to a big city."
The Alliance reported that more than 22 million people visited downtown last year, contributing to increased vibrancy and economic activity. King said the city's free twohour parking program in cityowned decks has generated $3.8 million in economic impact and will remain permanent.
Still, leaders acknowledged several challenges, including crime, safety concerns and the closure of the transit tunnel on Wilmington Street. King said the current experience at the transit center "is failing both transit users and downtown," adding that bus riders "are absolutely not to blame" and deserve better.
Residents also echoed concerns about safety and accessibility.
"It needs to be a determination of what's causing the problem, what's causing the crime," said Raleigh 30-year resident Steve Wagner, who lives near Tryon Road. He also called for improved mass transit and better promotion of downtown amenities.
Another resident, Debbie Callahan, said she would welcome stronger connections between Dix Park and downtown.
"It'd be nice to have something connect to downtown pretty quick," she said.
City leaders said plans are underway to improve connectivity with Dix Park and enhance the downtown experience, though they stopped short of detailing specific timelines and plans.
The meeting also addressed the future of the city's transit hub and the broader question of how Raleigh can continue to grow while maintaining safety and accessibility.
"There are many other complex issues here. Including the design and function of our transit center," King said. "I'm not going to pretend the answers are easy. They are not."
Despite the challenges, King said the city has much to celebrate and much work ahead.
"We still have a lot to be proud of," he said. "And we have a lot of work left to do."
The full State of Downtown Raleigh report can be found here.