Business, event declines blamed on downtown Raleigh safety concerns
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Event organizers say safety concerns must be addressed as Raleigh heads into a busy fall season with multiple festivals planned along Fayetteville Street. Some groups are already reporting lower turnout at recent events.
Shop Local Raleigh reported a 64% drop in foot traffic at Sunday's Food Truck Rodeo, held just hours after the first of two shootings on Fayetteville Street within 48 hours.
Early Sunday morning, four people were injured at the Alive Nightclub near City Plaza. On Monday night, a man was shot in the ankle in a drive-by shooting in front of the YMCA.
I don't think we're going to keep investing downtown, which is sad because we love downtown Raleigh.- Carey Kidd, restaurant owner
"How do we ensure that it is safe and that we can get people back down there?" said Jennifer Martin of Shop Local Raleigh.
"I don't think we're going to keep investing downtown, which is sad because we love downtown Raleigh," Kidd said.
A spokesperson for the Raleigh Police Department said Wednesday that "Any act of violence in our city is concerning, and our officers are working diligently to hold those responsible accountable."
The department is collaborating with ALE on enforcement initiatives in and around GoRaleigh Bus Station and Moore Square.
New fencing was installed Wednesday in a breezeway near the downtown bus station. City officials say the closure aims to reduce drug activity and loitering.
The Downtown Raleigh Alliance said safety improvements are essential.
"We've got to make sure that we've got a strong push here on, not tolerate any criminal behavior here and really focusing on that," said Bill King, the alliance's president and CEO.
Carey Kidd, owner of Element Gastropub on Fayetteville Street, said sales dropped 50% this past weekend compared with the same time last year. Kidd said he believes safety concerns contributed to the decline.
"I don't think we're going to keep investing downtown, which is sad because we love downtown Raleigh," Kidd said.
Kidd, who owns two restaurants in Raleigh, plans to close both once their leases expire.
