RALEIGH, N.C. — An outspoken resident said the state capital city needs to pump the brakes on how it’s going about its plans to move a major concert venue and tourist attraction.

What You Need To Know

  • Some homeowners in the historic neighborhood of Boylan Heights oppose the closure of South Street to move the Red Hat Amphitheater a block south

  • The move would close a block of South Street between McDowell and Dawson streets

  • A vote on whether to close a portion of South Street in downtown Raleigh will be in September

Raleigh city leaders plan to move the Red Hat Amphitheater one block south in order to expand the Raleigh Convention Center.

While many business owners support the decision, some homeowners do not because the move affects traffic. 

Mike Motsinger is the president of the Boylan Heights Neighborhood Association.

“We find that it is counterproductive to be closing down streets in the neighborhood at the same time all of this development is going on,” Motsinger said.

Several high-rises, housing developments and spaces are being built in the area, raising the potential for a higher density of people along South Street.

The proposal is to shut down one block of South Street to relocate the Red Hat Amphitheater.

More than 3,300 cars drive down South Street daily based on projections from the city of Raleigh's planning and development office.

The move would close off the portion of South Street between McDowell and Dawson streets.

The closure would have some impact on the community where Motsinger lives.

“Oh, the greatest part about living in Boylan Heights is the neighbors by far,” Motsinger said.

The lush greenery, the old homes and what feels like an endless tree canopy define the historic neighborhood.

But the retiree doesn’t love the thought of major traffic disruption on South Street.

“It seems like it's a little bit too focused on this project and only this project and doesn't take into consideration the impact on neighborhoods around the venue and the people that have to live here,” Motsinger said.

City planners have been working on a vision over the past few years to move the concert venue for the expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center.

Although the concept has been presented to those living nearby, Motsinger wants to know why their input wasn’t asked for sooner.

“It really affects other neighborhoods, such as the Heritage Park neighborhood, where cutting off access to downtown (Raleigh) is a much bigger deal,” Motsinger said.

Heritage Park is public housing that’s even closer to the proposed shutdown.

Red Hat has tallied nearly $27.5 million in revenue this year from outside visitors to Wake County. However, Motsinger said they could save Red Hat from leaving Raleigh and the businesses surrounding it without closing off a major artery in the city.

Spectrum News 1 requested data from the Raleigh City Planning and Development on any feasibility studies to determine the impact of traffic on the street.

Meanwhile, Motsinger says the clock is ticking.

“Why is it that we are waiting until the 11th hour to share the information that the planners have had all along?” Motsinger asked.

A city council meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. It’s open to the public.

City leaders will hear concerns about South Street and anything else related to the proposal to move Red Hat Amphitheater a block over. That’s also the same public hearing where votes are expected to be cast on whether to make that closure final.