In the form of a recently refurbished 11-foot statue, the English explorer received a rock star's welcome when unveiled at Saturday night's Raleigh Wide Open celebration. But it hasn't all been cheers; by Sunday afternoon, Sir Walter's statue was standing alone on the Fayetteville Street plaza, unceremoniously wrapped in tarp and cords.

"We were hoping he was going to be unveiled," said Lisa Beebe, 36, biking by with her friend Kristine Harkness, 39.

The Raleigh residents weren't completely up on the historical Sir Walter, who died in 1618. However, Harkness correctly identified him as a "swashbuckler" and noted that they liked his image well enough to name their running club, Sir Walter's H3, after him.

Another passer-by, Shelia Bryant, 48, called the statue, which was sent off for a $15,000 makeover in 2005, a waste of money that should have been spent on homeless and poor people instead.

"They can't even afford to come down here," Bryant said.

The statue will go into storage at the Progress Energy Center this week, then settle on a pedestal nearby at South and Salisbury streets.

"He's an 11-foot guy, so it takes a substantial footing," city spokeswoman Jayne Kirkpatrick said.

When the city's new convention center opens in September 2008, Sir Walter will get a more permanent spot on a corner outside it.

The statue of the colonizer, soldier, poet, historian and favorite of Queen Elizabeth I was installed at the Bicentennial Mall in 1976, then moved to the former Fayetteville Street mall in 1988.

"There were many sides to him, and I think that fits the Raleigh that's emerging," Kirkpatrick said.