Lee Hansley: Downtown looking up

Regarding the Sept. 18 news article “Empire to Raleigh: We want taller buildings downtown”: It was so refreshing to see a developer with a proven track record step forward with a bold request for 25 of his properties in downtown Raleigh. At last someone has stepped forth with a vision for the future of Raleigh’s core and a skyline to go with it.

Greg Hatem’s request of the city to allow taller buildings on his properties is exactly what Raleigh needs. Land is scarce downtown and should be maximized by planting taller structures where vacant lots and underutilized low-rise buildings are now. Add to that creative and exciting 21st century architecture, and Raleigh will have an image of itself it deserves.

This story was originally published September 21, 2015 at 6:07 PM with the headline "Lee Hansley: Downtown looking up."