Downtown Raleigh Alliance: City leaders, businesses optimistic about future of downtown area after look at updated strategic plan [Video]

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Hundreds of city officials, business leaders and community stakeholders gathered Wednesday for a major briefing on growth and development in downtown Raleigh.

The Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA) hosted its annual State of Downtown Raleigh event at the Martin Marietta Center. The event highlights big ideas and growth areas along with identifying areas of improvement in the core of the capital city.

“We need to add more things downtown, more businesses, more events, more attractions, that want people to come to Raleigh, North Carolina,” said Carey Kidd, owner of Element Gastropub.

Element sits in the heart of downtown Raleigh at City Plaza, and Kidd has been vocal about the need for more foot traffic downtown, both to support small businesses and preserve public safety.

“More events, more conferences, more conventions, Do what we need to do to bring people downtown. Because when there’s more people downtown, it keeps the riff raff away, keeps …