The Oakline could turn the journey between Downtown and Dix Park into a destination of its own.
From trolleys to aerial cable cars, Raleigh’s seen a wide range of ideas to link Downtown with Dix Park. Now, one pitch is outshining the rest: The Oakline—an elevated path for pedestrians and bikers—that could finally bridge the gap.
The two destinations sit a mere three-quarters of a mile from each other—basically a jaunt from Capitol Square to the Warehouse District—yet they feel miles apart. That’s largely thanks to uneven terrain, multilane roads, railroad crossings and sprawling intersections.
“We’ve got a 300-acre park, and we’ve got a vibrant Downtown—becoming more vibrant by the day,” Wake County Open Space & Parks Advisory Committee board member Sig Hutchinson tells RM. “The barriers include three of the busiest streets in the city, a railroad line and 50 feet of elevation.”
SfL+a Architects, Surface 678 and Preston Montague
Ideas for linking Downtown to Dix with a safer, bolder and more accessible connector have been floated for years—gondolas, trolleys, BRT and so on. The Oakline could overcome those obstacles and be the path to a solution.
Proposed by SfL+a Architects, the group behind the mixed-use City Gateway project coming out of the ground at the corner of McDowell Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard—alongside Surface 678 and Preston Montague Studio—the elevated path would stay relatively level the entire route and hurdle the uneven topography between the two crucial Oak City attractions.
And, most significantly, The Oakline would be an attraction in itself. The proposed plan wouldn’t just provide a safer connection, but would allow Dix Park to spill into Downtown—meaning getting to the park will feel like being at the park. Public art, local history, intentional overlooks and lush canopy trees would extend that destination vibe—with shade to boot.
As proposed, The Oakline would begin at the Martin Marietta Center for Performing Arts, jump the rail line and continue through City Gateway before hurdling MLK Jr. Boulevard, McDowell and South Saunders streets, ultimately leading to Dix in a 16-minute jaunt—and for those on wheels, six.
“One of the really strong suits of the current pathway is it’s half in private developments and half in the public realm,” says SfL+a Architects’ Barry Buckman. Unlike some big pie-in-the-sky infrastructure idea, much of the route already runs through compatible private projects like Salisbury Square or Rockway, or falls into NCDOT Right of Way—meaning pieces of The Oakline could piggyback on projects already underway, including BRT, adds Surface 678 landscape architect Charles Bradley.
City Gateway, Salisbury Square and Rockway could also help build out portions along private property, notes Buckman.
SfL+a Architects, Surface 678 and Preston Montague
The developments the route will snake through are not only compatible, but complementary, adds Buckman, nodding to its connections beyond Dix and Downtown, with easy access to neighboring F&B concepts, retail and gathering spots upping the area’s overall walkability.
But none of the hype—or hope—means The Oakline is a done deal. City officials, project architects and Downtown Raleigh Alliance hope to collectively push the project forward this fall to nail down design, cost and potential funding sources.
“There’s financial stacks that can make this a reality,” maintains Hutchinson, pointing to transportation funding. “Paint a picture of what people want, and they’re going to figure out a way to pay for it.”
Early enthusiasm is high. “When I saw this proposal, [I thought] they cracked the code,” says City Council member Mitchell Silver. “They actually figured it out.”
And the ambition extends beyond cracking Raleigh’s decades-old connectivity problem. “It will really become an iconic gateway into Downtown,” says Bradley. “There will be trees marching across the road, and there’s something really magical when you’re driving under oak trees into the City of Oaks.”
More than a route from Downtown to Dix, The Oakline would become Raleigh’s new front—and a calling card for the City of Oaks.
Another Path A path from DTR to Dix is already approved and in the works: The Chavis-Dix Strollway, a cultural trail linking Dix Park and John Chavis Memorial Park while celebrating historically Black neighborhoods in the area. The two paths follow different routes—the strollway will run along South Street through South Saunders Street.
“You can’t have enough good connections to get to Dix Park,” says Buckman. “There will be some amazing work celebrating the history of the Fourth Ward community throughout the Strollway, and we strive to have The Oakline celebrate that history as well.” The Chavis-Dix Strollway project is in planning stages and is backed by $3 million in federal funding secured by Congresswoman Deborah Ross.
Here are the highlights of City Council’s last meeting for over a month.
Raleigh’s City Council needs an occasional break too—but before they were able to get away, they had a hefty agenda stacked for July 1, the last session until Aug. 19… and a lot went down. Here are some of the biggest highlights.
With no ability to overcome the huge budget deficit the project faced, City Council canceled the Six Forks Road Improvement Project. The initial plans included a six-lane road with a median and bike and pedestrian paths with a budget of $60.1M.
After the cost escalated to $93.5M, Council found no feasible way to move forward. Opting to keep the money in the district, the project’s budget will now go toward closing the sidewalk gap in front of Carroll Middle School and funding design of the Midtown multi-modal bridge, followed by completing the Lake Wheeler Road and Barbell Road projects, and lastly, improving Old Wake Forest Road. $9.3M had already been spent on over a decade of work surrounding Six Forks.
RFD revealed only 54% of units made the first due NFPA target time—or arrived within 240 seconds to 90% of incidents—in 2024. Performance was highest in DTR (81%) and lowest near Station 23 in Northwest Raleigh (31%). To combat this low stat, station replacements and relocations were recommended to City Council, plus four new stations, more ladder trucks and strong recruiting strategies.
Newsworthy Notes
Red Hat Amphitheater is working toward a final design with utility work already underway, with the aim for a 2027 opening.
The Convention Center expansion is in the design phase with an anticipated 2029 opening.
Updated terms surrounding the Convention Center Hotel (Omni Hotel & Resorts) include additional rooms, a room block agreement of 50 years, a projection completion guarantee, and a land sale to yield property tax.
The new City Hall is 25% complete at Floor 8, with a final completion aimed for March 2027.
Fire Station No.1 is in its concept design phase with an amendment forthcoming for a safety-themed playground.
The Chavis-Dix Strollway honoring and uplifting the Fourth Ward is in the final design process with a detailed project design expected summer 2026.
Design is underway for pedestrian safety improvements for Downtown and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
While it was initially intended to be a temporary venue, the City has long planned to move and update the amphitheater to sustain the amount of traffic it attracts. The planned expansion would accommodate ~1,000 more seats and a larger loading dock and backstage area, as well as increased concessions—and the only “cost” of that expansion is the closure of one block of South Street, a road that sees just one-third of the traffic it was built for.
As the Sept. 17 City Council vote grows closer, confusion surrounding what will actually happen to the amphitheater mounts—as well as rumors about why different infrastructure decisions were made.
Here, we cut to the chase, tapping Raleigh Convention Center and Performing Arts Complex Executive Director Kerry Painter —who has also run venues in Tulsa, Ontario, Niagara Falls and Slidell—to clear the air on lingering questions.
What happens to Red Hat Amp if they do not vote to pass the South Street closure?
We cannot build the amphitheater and it will likely be lost.
What will happen if the vote is tied?
If the vote is tied, then the motion fails. The project does not have support to advance, and we lose the amp.
If the closure does not pass, is there an alternative plan in the works to save the amphitheater and keep music Downtown?
No. There is no other Downtown location available to us that meets the requirements for a viable venue within our given budget.
When and why did the proposed street closure switch from Lenoir Street to South Street?
The amphitheater and what it needs to be viable does not fit on Lenoir and the lot of land we own. It left us with approximately 4,500 seats instead of the 6,000 minimum and was over budget. It didn’t provide the operational needs and safety needs as well as artist spaces necessary. By incorporating South Street, we also have the ability to tap into another plot of land owned by NCDOT, which then makes enough space for the new design and its needs.
How much traffic is there on South Street compared to Lenoir?
South Street sees approximately 3,300 cars a day, and Lenoir Street [sees] 2,250. These streets are each designed to accommodate 10,000 cars a day.
People are saying there must be an ulterior motive behind the South Street closure. Is anyone benefiting from the switch?
No one is benefiting from the design except the audience, who will still have access to a fantastic annual concert lineup. We are not displacing any homes or businesses by closing this block, and no one is getting paid or benefiting from this closure.
How does the closure of the block of South Street affect the Chavis-Dix Strollway?
We have incorporated the Strollway concept into our design, making it a catalyst for the design and construction to begin. I see it as a huge win! We will be investing significant dollars to this effort and, coupled with the federal dollars already committed, this will almost double the Strollway budget and launch the concept into reality. This is an excellent opportunity to work with engaged strollway advocates on design and other features of the path.
Many are concerned the proposed plans have no room for public opinion. Why did the convention center opt to not take public input?
This is a purpose-built venue. It has many parameters that it must meet in order for it to successfully host concerts, satisfy artist needs and provide a safe experience for guests. The exercise to this point has been one of math—fitting the geometric shape necessary on the land we have. We’re making sure the direction of sound is appropriate for a quality experience, studying sightlines and viewing angles that’s necessary from each direction, and adding in the next layers such as restrooms, industry standard concessions, artist needs, etc. It is really a ‘fit the spaces into the site’ exercise which doesn’t provide an opportunity for creativity from the community. We do intend to seek out public engagement on elements where we have more flexibility, specifically the strollway design.
If the relocated amphitheater is built, will any seats be covered to provide shade and protect from inclement weather?
Yes, some seats will be covered and a greater number than now. The final number is still to be determined. As an additional plus, the new Capital Square condo directly behind us shades the new location much earlier in the day than the old location.
How many employees does it take to run a show at the amphitheater? What happens to those employees should the amphitheater get demolished?
Live Nation uses approximately 130 people per evening, Sodexo uses approximately 70–80 per evening for food and beverage, and the City also has approximately six. Several staff [have] professions like schoolteachers, police wives and others who need a supplemental second income. Sadly, those positions would be gone with the cancellations of a show season. When we build the ice rink, we use people daily for a solid eight weeks, and those jobs would also be gone at a seasonal time when people are looking for extra spending money.
How is this another “DPAC moment,” and what potential impact will another loss like that have on the city?
DPAC was born out of a failure to make a deal at our performing arts center years ago. The promoter built their own theater and booked the shows they owned there. We have never seen a Nederlander show at our venue since. It was a true pivot point where Raleigh lost a touring theater.
Now, we have an amphitheater that draws people Downtown to see top artists. Without a venue this size, concerts will skip Raleigh and perform in other cities like Wilmington and Charlotte only. Again, Durham is paying attention and has proposed an amphitheater in its tourism plan. If we lose an entertainment draw this time, we know the economic impact is likely catastrophic to our Downtown, where businesses see a 20 to 50% uptick on show days—therefore, it’s a risk for the whole city.
*Answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Dix Park is a destination meant to be biked—here, tips on how + where to explore.
If you’re not biking to Dix Park, you’re doing it wrong. And man-about-town Nick Neptune agrees. As director of outreach for the Dix Park Conservancy, board chair and president of Oaks & Spokes Raleigh’s bicycling and sustainable transportation advocacy nonprofit), and commissioner and vice chairman of the City of Raleigh’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, Neptune’s biggest passions are Dix Park and biking. He also works with the City of Raleigh, donors and volunteers to ensure Dix continues to thrive as a remarkable space for all, no matter how you get there.
Here, the passionate pedaler merges his two callings, showcasing Dix Park as a biking destination and providing a plethora of reasons to roll up to the 308-acre campus on DTR’s western edge.
How accessible is Dix Park by bike from all directions?
Dix Park currently benefits from connectivity around its northern and eastern edges courtesy of Raleigh’s Capital Area Greenway system, and, specifically, the Rocky Branch Trail—which has access to Pullen Park, Boylan Heights and a number of shops and spaces along Downtown Raleigh’s southernmost edge. To the west, Dix Park is buffered by NC State’s Centennial Campus, including the Centennial Bikeway Connector running along the perimeter.
At the southernmost edge along Lake Wheeler Road—from the State Farmers Market to the intersection at South Saunders—the city is leading a massive improvement project including the addition of sidewalks, shared paths and bike-only facilities. Various other features like roundabouts and raised medians will help slow vehicular traffic, with construction slated to begin in spring 2025.
Fave pit stops on these different routes?
Between Boylan Heights and the southernmost edge of Downtown Raleigh, favorites include:
Rebus Works for cafe selects and grocery options 🛒
Tell us about the NCMA to Dix Park bike connection and why it’s important?
It’s just over 5 miles and about a 35-minute bike ride spanning Rocky Branch Greenway and Reedy Creek Trail. NTM biking is affordable, healthy and sustainable, thus, ensuring and improving bicycle connectivity between NCMA and Dix Park is as much about reinvesting in our collective civic health and social cohesion as it is about simply sharing the joys, pleasures and benefits of art and the natural environment.
Nick Neptune
Any updates on the connection between Chavis Park and Dix Park?
The Chavis-Dix Strollway, a vastly improved multimodal, people-oriented corridor connecting two significant Raleigh landscapes, is also intended to contribute to a citywide bike system as a safe connection for cyclists traveling east to west through this area along the southern edge of Downtown.
The project design will be influenced by a current study of the overall mobility and active transportation networks of Downtown Raleigh, along with the planned expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center. Following the final recommendations of the Downtown Mobility Study (expected spring 2025), more progress can be anticipated.
Note: Anyone interested in participating in Raleigh Transportation’s Downtown Mobility Study should join the first touchpoint and public engagement session May 29 at Raleigh Union Station from 4–7pm.
How do you recommend first-timers spend their initial visit to Dix Park?
Starting in June, stop by the Gatekeeper’s Cottage to get oriented via maps, program guides and helpful staff. The cottage is also one of three historic buildings on campus undergoing a $5 million preservation and restoration project being led by the Dix Park Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Raleigh, with financial support from the State Employees’ Credit Union and Foundation.
The Chapel (open weekends; features an ornate mural in the lobby illustrating the landscape’s past, present and future by NC artist Christopher Holt; public restrooms available)
Many longtime visitors to Dix Park continue to be surprised by our Hammock Groves tucked away in the trees in three serene locations across the park. Another little-known treat for veteran visitors would be the celebrated garden in the back of The Chapel. Maintained by a dedicated group of volunteers, the garden has been a beloved and calming space for many since its original planting in the late 1950s. To boot, The Dix Park Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Raleigh, is spearheading an update and renovation later this year to transform this space into a fully modern Healing Garden.
