Some good Raleigh news

While the economy may be having a negative effect on some Raleigh businesses, it appears that the city as a whole is weathering the financial storm better than other metro areas. (That's not to suggest that all is well, however.)

For one thing, Raleigh apparently still ranks high when it comes to being a place to invest in a home.

"According to Zillow's website, for the past year home values have held steady here while they've dropped nationwide," says NBC17. "The number of foreclosed homes is also lower here.

"One big indicator is that only about one in eight homes sold in the Triangle, sold at a loss. The national rate is one in three homes sold at a loss.

"Financial experts say Raleigh shows a strong demographic and a real economy making it favorable for investors despite the struggling market."

The other good news is that in the past year more than 1,000 people - a record - moved to downtown Raleigh. The "DTR" population is now 6,000 - and growing.

City Planner Mitchell Silver and Raleigh Downtown Alliance Director David Diaz "shared the population data and their visions for the city during a meeting with business leaders on Wednesday," says WRAL. "They envision downtown becoming the central city in the region – a shift from the current hub, the Research Triangle Park. Leaders see more companies following the lead of RBC Bank and setting up headquarters in the city.

“It’s about choices, and we believe we can capture some of those firms that want to be in an urban setting,” Silver said. Development in downtown is expected to stay flat next year but pick up in 2010, officials estimate. While some residential projects have been delayed, others like 222 Glenwood and Bloomsbury Estate are more than 50 percent under contract and in demand, Diaz said.

“They’re all 50 to 100 percent sold,” Diaz said. To make Raleigh a destination and increase the tax base, city officials said the city needs an outdoor concert venue, a sports arena and a better transit system. City planners will unveil the Comprehensive Plan for Raleigh to the public in early December.

Let's also PLEASE throw retail into the mix when discussing downtown. If there's one thing that keeps coming up in discussion about what downtown "needs" (see our poll), it's a "strollability" market, which right now is -- to be completely honest -- almost nonexistent.