The city has been trying to sell the vacant, 60-year-old HudsonBelk department store for the past two years. A final decision onthe property's fate is expected by year end. The store is locatedin the 300 block of the Fayetteville Street Mall and is consideredby many the most visible eyesore Downtown.

The city has received eight proposals to redevelop the property.They range from replacing the building with a 40-story office andresidential tower to renovating the structure for condos and retailshops. The council considered opening the mall to traffic aboutfour years ago, but failed to do so. Mike Williams, vice presidentof Karnes Research Co., believes that opening the mall to trafficand filling all the stores could turn the area into theentertainment center of Raleigh.

Four of the eight proposals would tear down all or part of thedepartment store. Developer Roland Gammon would replace thestructure with a building that would have a parking deck, retail atmall level and condos above fronting the mall. Developer RolandBritt would also demolish the structure and build a high-rise withabout 40 floors of offices, retail and residences.