The 411 on a multitude of Raleigh projects taking shape.
There’s no doubt about it: Raleigh is on the rise. The City of Oaks was named one of the top 25 fastest growing places in the U.S. in 2023, coming as no shock to any local who has spotted the scad of construction projects popping up left and right around town.
The burgeoning developments are poised to benefit all—from one-of-a-kind office spaces to a public transit update coming down the pipeline (crappy commutes, no more?!). Here, we delve into projects coming out of the ground now or slated to break ground soon. Look at you grow, Raleigh!
Keep your eyes to the skies as a new high-rise is coming to Downtown. The 17-story tower sitting at the corner of Hargett and McDowell streets (aka the previous RPD HQ site, defunct since 2010) aims to align facilities, staff and technology with organizational needs and establish a centralized campus for city staff and citizens alike. As part of the Percent for Art program, 1% of the planned budget is eligible to be used for public art for the structure.
Current status: The construction crew is continuing to destroy sections of the building and sort debris, with a completion date TBD.
Current status: Construction is underway for Oberlin Hotel, with an anticipated 2024 opening; and Camden Village District is slated to be move-in ready by fall 2024.
Oberlin Hotel | Rendering courtesy of Quality Oil Company LLC/Quality Hospitality
Big things are on the horizon for North Hills. The area’s newest sector spans 33 acres across central Midtown (and stacks up to the tune of $1 billion) with infrastructure geared toward preserving green space and bolstering local businesses. One high-rise making its debut is the 17-story Tower 5, boasting 322,000 square feet of office space, common areas and ground-level retailers—including indoor cycling studio HomeTurf. And when it comes to residential and retail spaces, the district doesn’t lack. Find in-the-works St. Albans Lofts gearing up to offer high-class living spaces, and Makers Alley, the district’s micro-retail shopping area located under the Channel House apartments, hosting seven local and female- or minority-owned storefronts opening in the coming months. Tributary, a mix-used complex named for the adjacent creek, is also shaping up to benefit small business owners with the addition of “live-work” units, where they can open up on the ground level and live directly above.
Current status: Tower 5 construction is well underway and slated to be completed by summer 2024; St. Albans Lofts are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025; and Makers Alley will open seven storefronts this spring. Tributary is scheduled to begin construction mid-2024.
Bus Rapid Transit
Raleigh is growing and going. Bus Rapid Transit is cruising to Wake Co. with fast, reliable and frequent transit—not to mention ~20 miles of routes along main corridors. What’s more, planning and design for the New Bern Corridor, which will connect DTR to WakeMed and New Hope Road, has been completed and construction is set to break ground in mid-2024 after a public preconstruction meeting is held.
The Southern Corridor, set to link Raleigh and Garner; and the Western Corridor, connecting Raleigh and Cary, are still in the preliminary design process—read: finishing 30% of the final product design. The Northern Corridor, which will bridge Downtown Raleigh and North Raleigh is still in the planning stages. Note: Don’t sell your car for parts just yet—the project isn’t expected to be fully up and running until 2035.
If you’ve ever been stuck in traffic on Six Forks Road at 5pm on a weekday, celebration is in order. After years of planning and speculation, Raleigh City Council voted unanimously Feb. 20 to widen the stretch between Rowan Street and Millbrook Road.
The future design of the improvement plan is a boon for more than just motorists, as pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and emergency vehicles will all reap the benefits. Rather than having separate sidewalks and bike paths as initially planned, the updated plan opts for a multiuse path to accommodate both. To wit, the path will be situated 8 feet from the road to ensure the safety of pedestrians and bikers while also leaving space for utility poles and trees.
Adapted due to rising costs, the project has already spent $3.8 million toward planning and design, with a total price tag clocking in at $56.1 million. Now that the next phase is in motion, Raleighites with businesses, churches and homes lining Six Forks have answers as to what might happen to their properties after years of uncertainty.
That said, Midtown traffic may get worse before it gets better. The project is scheduled to begin construction in late 2025 after obtaining approval from the NC Department of Transportation and will take two years to complete. Until then, it may be time to opt for an alternative route.
Election year is upon us, and not only is it a big year for national politics, but local as well. While we won’t cast our ballots for mayor until Nov. 5, the race is already taking shape.
Although hopefuls have until July 19 to file, a number of candidates spanning diverse demographics have already thrown their hat in the ring—and many have been campaigning for the municipal role since last year. Why it matters? Baldwin’s 2022 victory came at the end of a tight race, edging out then challenger Dr. Terrance Ruth, who grabbed 41% of the vote.
This year, hot topics include zoning debates, Downtown safety, affordable housing, the RPD shortage, transportation, infrastructure and sustainability.
Corey Branch The city councilman of nine years is campaigning on an array of specific “deliverables,” such as securing funding for 2,000+ affordable housing units, widening Rock Quarry Road and providing residents free mental health services.
Delmonte Crawford The Civil Rights activist aims to end gentrification, provide affordable housing and win reparations for Black Foundational Americans (aka Freedmen) via his For the People platform.
Janet Cowell The former state treasurer and Raleigh councilwoman and current Dix Park Conservancy CEO announced her candidacy Jan. 22 and is campaigning on protecting the environment, diversifying housing options, increasing public safety, and planning and engaging the public in things such as rezoning for new infrastructure. The most recent to throw her hat in the ring, Cowell has already picked up endorsements from former Mayors Nancy McFarlane and Charles Meeker.
James Shaughnessy IV This William Peace University pre-law student has his sights set on building additional accessible housing options, cutting spending, revitalizing mental health and updating public transportation.
Paul Fitts This conservative candidate plans to crack down on crime and hopes to hire an additional 400 police officers—and this isn’t the first time he’s had his name on the ballot. The mortgage broker previously ran against then-mayor Nancy McFarlane in 2017.
Local elections are just as important, if not more important, than national, as local elected officials directly affect your day-to-day life. When you vote for a candidate, you are putting the future of your life, home, commute and job in their hands. So, be sure to study up and mark your cals to head to the polls for the general election Nov. 5! Stay tuned for updates as more candidates file.
Where to get your chicken, Thai food and cocktail fix this month.
The Velvet Hippo DURHAM
Here’s what’s hip and happening in the Bull City. Created by five women and named for their love of pit bulls (oft referred to as velvet hippos), this new Durham-based rooftop bar and lounge was born of years of planning, drinking and dreaming with the aim of creating “a space that feels like a vacation just around the corner for our guests.” That whimsical ambiance is mirrored in the menu—laid-back yet elevated with signature cocktails, local beers on tap and nonboozy sips so all can enjoy. And don’t forget to bring your four-legged friends for a good time during weekend “yappy hours.” Cheers! velvethippodurham.com
Moonlight Liquor Lounge FUQUAY-VARINA
King Harvest was right—everybody feels warm and right in the moonlight (!). Sweeten up happy hour with this cocktail lounge’s dessert-esque signature cocktails (see: the Key Lime Pie, Banana Bread Old-Fashioned and Sweet Negroni), or opt for a more *neat* drinking experience with a local whiskey or bourbon. Boozy connoisseurs are especially gonna wanna swing by on Wednesday nights during the exclusive Breakeven Bottle promotions, where you can indulge in a high-end whiskey or bourbon at cost price! #StayedSpirited. moonlightnc.com
Myra Cafe APEX
A taste of Thailand in the South? Say less. Spice up your daily mealtime with Asian street food from the Thailand Oriental Hotel-trained chef—think dumplings, spring rolls, fried rice, curry and more, all made with fresh ingredients and unique spices that promise to excite your taste buds. But the signature noodles are by far the must-try standouts. Choose from pad thai, drunken noodles, evil jungle noodles, crazy fire ramen, roasted duck noodles and pad see ewe (broad rice noodles). Then round out your meal with sake and dessert (hey, sticky rice ice cream!). Slurp, slurp, hooray! myracafeapex.com
La Montaña CARRBORO
Come for a flavor-filled vacation for your senses, and stay for the gorgeous flora- and fauna-filled lush atmosphere—or literally stay, as the vibey restaurant is located in the Hamptons Inn. Inspired by the mountains of Pleiku, Vietnam, and the richness of Latin America, the all-day dining spot promises to send you to bed with a full stomach. Start your day strong with ca phe trung (Vietnamese egg coffee) and a breakfast banh mi, or skip straight to a lunch or dinner of blistered eggplant and charcoal chicken—paired with a cocktail, natch. Ngon! eatatlamontana.com
Raising Cane’s CHAPEL HILL
Perhaps the greatest thing about UNC? Its proximity to the most craveable chicken fingers and crinkle-cut fries (we’re biased—sorry, not sorry). The fan-fave chicken hot spot made its Triangle debut on Franklin Street late last year, making it far easier to get your hands on its uberpopular simple yet delicious Southern grub like fried chicken, coleslaw and Texas toast—plus legendary Cane’s Sauce to top it all off. And while getting your fill, see if you can spot photographs of the cult classic fast food joint’s namesake—aka an adorable yellow Lab, usually wearing yellow sunglasses—throughout the restaurant. Sounds like a pawsitively perfect pit stop. raisingcanes.com
Place your wager on these soon-to-launch sports betting apps.
With the announcement of Fanatics multiyear partnership with the Carolina Hurricanes and now the official target launch date of sports betting in North Carolina (March 11 at noon!), the buzz for sports betting in NC is at an all-time high. So far, nine sports betting platforms have applied for operator licensure from the NC Lottery Commission. In front of the official launch, we tapped the NC Lottery Commission with a few burning questions.
Is it legal to bet on sports in North Carolina on a website right now? No
Is it legal to bet on an app? No
Where will NCers be able to bet? Operators will be able to have mobile sports wagering on phones, computers and other devices and can choose to have a sportsbook or physical location. They could also just do mobile betting.
What will the rollout look like? The state plans to start first with sports wagering on mobile devices and then approve sportsbooks later. There is no deadline for sportsbooks to start. Sportsbooks are the physical locations where wagers can be done, but most sports wagering will occur on mobile devices.
Note: Hold your horses… while sports betting laws became effective in NC Jan. 8, you won’t see an option to wager on an app in-state until sports betting officially goes live in March.
App for That
Looking to pony up and make the next game a little more interesting? Betting apps with features ranging from odds to livestreaming are set to roll out in NC early 2024.
In order to launch, each sportsbook (with the exception of tribal casinos) must partner with a pro sports team (read: Carolina Hurricanes, Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, etc.), auto racing track, golf course, or a tournament or league like NASCAR or the PGA tour. Once partnered, operators must apply for a license through the Lottery Commission. Some apps may have retail locations, but the Lottery Commission is focusing on getting online wagering up and running first. Here’s where part of your paycheck will be going—er, which sports betting apps are slated for NC.
