Feeling the heat? Escape the sun in downtown Raleigh with this new amenity
Downtown Raleigh’s City Plaza just got a lot cooler.
On Thursday, new “bigger than umbrellas” shade structures were put up in City Plaza, which stretches across Fayetteville Street between One City Plaza and Truist tower.
Temperatures near the pavement on City Plaza hit 123 degrees in August 2023, according to thermal images provided by Bill King, Downtown Raleigh Alliance’s chief executive officer and president.
“During the hot weather months, the lack of shade on the plaza has been a deterrent,” said Ken Bowers, deputy director of the city’s planning and development department. “And we’re hoping that now that we have these shade structures being deployed, that people will come down and enjoy the shade and enjoy lunch or whatever, down on the plaza.”
The 13 dark green umbrellas can be moved and readjusted for concerts or festivals that occur on the plaza.
It’s the latest improvement to Fayetteville Street meant to make working, living and visiting downtown more enjoyable, and to help lure people back to downtown after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier this year the city launched free Wi-Fi in the plaza, and recently revamped its speakers and sound systems. Downtown Raleigh Alliance is fundraising to add white LED lights to the 88 street trees along Fayetteville Street later this summer.
“When you do all these little things, it adds up,” King said. “It makes the environment feel more taken care of, and when it feels that way it makes it more attractive to a visitor, it’s more attractive to a business, it’s more attractive for investment, it’s more attractive for events.”
This story was originally published April 10, 2025 at 12:47 PM.
