Midtown Raleigh: Where Business and Community Thrive
Midtown Raleigh is growing—and so is the need to make our streets safer, more accessible, and more enjoyable for everyone. That’s where the Walkable Midtown Plan comes in. Developed with community input and adopted by the Raleigh City Council in December 2020, the plan lays out a roadmap for a connected, pedestrian-friendly Midtown that works for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
Six Forks Road has long been a pivotal corridor in Midtown Raleigh—serving as a vital connector for commuters, residents, and local businesses. For more than a decade, planning efforts focused on reimagining the road to improve safety, mobility, and multimodal connections. But after years of study, public engagement, and shifting priorities, the project has taken a different direction.
Once again, Raleigh and the surrounding areas are topping charts across the US and NC. Some notable rankings put Raleigh as the #1 Best City for Corporate Workers, #1 Top Metro for Career Growth, and the #7 Happiest City in the US! Raleigh holds top spots for many lists for starting new businesses, careers, and higher education. And we’re still a top destination across the US.
Check out the full list for 2024 rankings reported by Wake County Economic Development.
CBHPW Wicker Squared – “I started my real estate career with HPW in 2010 after 10 years as an international flight attendant. My philosophy is a total hands-on approach through the entire process of buying or selling… from start to finish. My real estate experience is not limited just to the home resale market, I have worked in new construction communities representing high-end custom home builders. Learning about the process that goes with new construction I was able to help numerous clients work with high-end custom builders to bring their dreams to reality straight out of the ground.” – Tonya Wicker Hunt
The Raleigh City Council voted unanimously to move forward with the Six Forks Rd Improvement Plan on February 20th. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2025 to widen the road from 4 lanes to 6 lanes between Millbrook Road and Rowan Street, including the installation of a median. There will also be a designated 8-foot multi-use pathway for cyclists and pedestrians to move about the area more safely.
See full details here.
January brought us some exciting new members, and we are glad to welcome them to MRA. Check out more about them!
Bliss Homes: Bliss Homes’ mission is to design comfortable, livable, beautiful homes – held to the highest standard – that are priced and built in an environment of trust and dependability. Founded in 2005 and led by husband and wife team Brian and Siobhan Finnamore, Bliss Homes has successfully developed 5 communities and will soon have 250 new and custom-built homes in the Triangle. Whether you’re transforming an existing home or office or building the home of your dreams, you deserve the customer service, attention to detail, home quality, and personal integrity that have become synonymous with Bliss Homes – the best home-buying experience in the Triangle.
Gen KIND: Gen KIND’s mission is to fund the needs of America’s youth by inspiring a movement of creative generosity. Our youth face many challenge,s such as educational opportunities, mental health, suicide, bullying, gun violence, substance abuse, cancer, homelessness, poverty, and hunger. They believe that the most effective way to address these is to host charitable campaigns that provide immediate help and fund the nonprofit organizations that serve on the frontlines and offer solutions for lasting change in our communities. You can get involved in impacting lives through a movement of philanthropy led by the next generation.
NC Food & Beverage Podcast: Hospitality industry veterans, Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss, get behind the scenes of North Carolina’s burgeoning food and beverage culture. Hear from local chefs, sommelier’s, distillers, farmers, brewers, and the whole lot of them in the NC F&B podcast. Max is an LA sommelier/restauranteur/wine distributor here in 2013. He ran restaurants in Raleigh over the last few years as their General Manager & Wine Director. Matthew is a certified sommelier from New York. His experience ranges from restaurant/bar to importing some of the finest wines in the world. He moved to North Carolina last year and works as a wine distributor. Listen and be inspired!
Midtown Raleigh isn’t just a place on a map—it’s a story of transformation, community, and vision. From a bustling shopping center in the 1960s to one of Raleigh’s most vibrant urban hubs, Midtown has grown through thoughtful evolution and collaboration.
In the 1960s, the area we now call Midtown was defined by the North Hills Shopping Center, anchored by stores like Woolworth’s, JC Penney’s, and local favorites like Scottie’s hot dogs. For decades, it served as a central gathering place for residents and visitors alike. But as retail trends shifted, the shopping center declined, leaving a question mark over Midtown’s future.
By the mid‑1990s, visionaries in the community began imagining a new kind of Midtown—one that could honor its history while welcoming growth. Early efforts focused on revitalizing the area, encouraging local investment, and creating a neighborhood that could thrive economically, socially, and culturally.
As Raleigh expanded, Midtown became more than a shopping destination. New businesses, restaurants, schools, and parks began to define its character. Duke Raleigh Hospital expanded, First Citizens built multi-building campuses, and innovative companies chose Midtown as home. Residents found that the area offered both convenience and a sense of place: walkable streets, green spaces, and community-centered development.
The appeal of Midtown grew not just from its amenities, but from its blend of long-established neighborhoods and modern growth, creating a neighborhood that could feel both familiar and exciting.
Recognizing the opportunity to shape Midtown’s future collectively, community leaders, business owners, and stakeholders came together. In spring 2011, the Midtown Raleigh Alliance (MRA) was established. This nonprofit coalition set out with a clear mission: to promote Midtown, foster collaboration, and support sustainable growth.
The Alliance works to:
Through these efforts, MRA has become the backbone of Midtown’s ongoing transformation—a unifying voice ensuring that growth is intentional, inclusive, and reflective of the community’s values.
Midtown’s story is still unfolding, and there’s a place for you in it. Join Midtown Raleigh Alliance and help shape the neighborhood you love—connect with local leaders, support exciting projects, and be part of a community that’s building something special.
Welcome Peoples Tire and Auto, and Capital Moving & Storage to Midtown Raleigh Alliance!
Peoples Tire and Auto: Since 1964, we have maintained and repaired our customers’ vehicles with their best interest in mind. Customer service is our specialty. We specialize in a variety of automotive makes and models, as well as foreign and domestic.
It’s a “mom and pop” business built on the foundation of trust, respect, and honesty. We keep it simple, as we treat you like family. Born and raised in North Carolina, we stand true to our roots and are proud to call Raleigh, NC home.
Capital Moving & Storage: We know that moving can be both emotionally and financially stressful for you, your family, or your business. Our mission at Capital Moving & Storage is to provide you with a guaranteed care-free and affordable moving experience. We will prepare, secure, and move your property as if it were our own. You will be met with friendly, warm faces and easy interactions from the moment you first contact us. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee means that we will do everything we can as a company to relieve you of the stress and burden of the moving process.
Check out these holiday events happening in and near Midtown!
December 14
Come out for an afternoon of snowy fun!
There will be a snowman egg hunt, snowball games, crafts and more. Please pre-register all who plan to attend.
Location: Pullen Park Community Center
Ages: All
Cost: Free
December 14 – December 24
Carolina Ballet presents The Nutcracker
Experience Carolina Ballet’s reimagined production.
First performed in December 2022, this new production is the Ballet’s most-attended Nutcracker ever—it stays true to the original story as it moves this holiday classic into modern times.
Location: Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
Date: Now through December 24
Cost: $27+
December 16
Christmas Karaoke Night @ Pourworks
Let your inner Rockstar out for 3-5 minutes at a time! Saturday Night, DECEMBER 16th from 9pm-12am! $6 POINTSETTIA MIMOSA SPECIAL!
Location: Pourworks @ 900 E. Six Forks Rd
Date: December 16
Time: 9:30pm-midnight
Ages: 21+
Cost: Free
Cause For Paws Annual Ugly Sweater Party!
Join us on December 16th for our annual Ugly Sweater/ Onesie Party! There will be cash prizes for the best dressed human and also for best dressed fur baby!
There will be both adoptable dogs and cats there hoping to find their furever home for the holidays.
Location: Clouds Brewing Taproom @ 1233 Front St
Date: December 16
Time: 3:00 – 6:00 PM
Cost: Free
December 18
Get ready for a festive adventure that will have you jingling all the way!
It’s the Candy Cane Hunt Jingle Mingle. There will be crafts, games, smores, music and fun as we get in the spirit of the festive season!
Location: Optimist Park
Date: Monday, Dec. 18
Time: 1 – 5 p.m.
Ages: 1.5-10 years
Cost: $5
Through January 5
Enjoy a self-guided art walk featuring light-based art installations. Raleigh Arts is pleased to be a community partner for Downtown Raleigh Alliance’s Illuminate Art Walk, a self-guided art walk that brings over 15 light-based art installations to Downtown Raleigh from December 1, 2023, through January 5, 2024.
Places to ring in the New Year in Midtown Raleigh
North Carolina’s Official NYE Extravaganza 2024 @ Hilton Raleigh North Hills
Pourworks NYE Party
Level7 @ North Hills New Years Eve Celebration
Kings at North Hills Studio 24 Disco Party
Cucciolo Terrazza Raleigh New Year’s Eve Champagne Brunch
The City Council is having to reassess the Six Fork Road Improvement project after numerous delays resulting in escalating costs. In 2011, the project was initiated by MRA, who requested a community visioning workshop. This workshop led to an exhaustive study of options and substantial community engagement. In 2017, funding was secured for the project’s largest phase through the passage of a transportation bond. The council adopted the plan in 2018, but the funds remain unused five years later, leaving residents and businesses in limbo. The staff has explored various options and is now seeking your input. Two things are clear at this point. First, the cost escalation is due almost entirely to the city’s inaction for the past several years; and any plan option that doesn’t include widening fails to meet the study’s original goals. After a decade of involvement, numerous paid consultants, and over 50 public meetings, the Midtown community deserves a real solution. These road improvements were factors in the approval of several rezoning cases around Midtown. Below is their request for your input.
What is it?
If you live, work, or visit Midtown, specifically the Six Forks Corridor, you’ve heard about and/or been involved in the Six Forks Road Improvement Plan. Design for the road from Rowan Street to Lynn Road began in 2020 and involves lane expansion, roadway improvements, and bike and pedestrian lane options. Now, the city needs more input from you.
What is happening now?
The project started in the spring of 2020, with a budget of $31.3M. However, with the significant increase in real estate and construction costs since 2020, the new budget for this proposed project is $119.0M. This large funding gap cannot be addressed with the City’s current funding resources.
What does this mean?
City staff has come up with 5 options to address the funding gap and wants your input on which direction to proceed.
For more information and to weigh-in on the options, visit their Public Engagement Page.
