Jet-setting around the world was clearly not in the cards for 2020, but flights are finally starting to take off again at Raleigh–Durham International Airport—so those travel dream boards you built when you hit the bottom of Netflix could actually materialize, which is pretty fly.
Over the recent holidays, and more specifically, the week of Dec. 20 to 27, TSA screened 52,812 departing passengers from RDU: a 14% increase over the previous week—but, for perspective, still down 63.5% from the same week in 2019. That said, it was RDU’s highest passenger count since mid-March—when the pandemic hit North Carolina and airlines were grounded to a halt.
As airlines saw the upward trend, many began resuming or adding nonstop flights to various destinations. “RDU is extremely fortunate to add new destinations at a time when airports continue to lose airlines service,” says Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. “We are optimistic that passengers will support the new routes by traveling to these warm-weather destinations during the winter months.”
It’s an understatement to say we could all seriously use a vacation right about now. With so many more direct flights available at RDU, there’s no better time than now to plan a getaway to one of these nonstop destinations once it’s safe to do again. Bon voyage!
In December, American Airlines brought back nonstop service to Cancun, and, in January, to DC (Reagan International). Direct flights to LA are scheduled to resume in March, with pond-jumping direct flights to London slated to return in late spring.
Well-known for its Boston and New York markets, JetBlue launched five new nonstop destinations in the fall: including Fort Myers, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; LA (the airline’s first West Coast-bound flight from RDU); Cancun, Mexico; and Montego Bay, Jamaica—the latter two serving as RDU’s first nonstop international takeoffs since the pandemic began. This month the airline will add daily service to Austin, Jacksonville, Newark, Orlando and Tampa, and, in March, Las Vegas and San Francisco.
Delta Air Lines will resume direct flights to Austin and Jacksonville on Feb. 11, and Las Vegas (daily) on March 2 and plans to resume its nonstop flight to Paris this spring.
WEB EXCLUSIVE It’s not clear what 2021 will look like for commercial real estate. Many companies continue to work from home without a timeline on returning to the office. In a JLL Raleigh-Durham report released at the end of 2020, vacancies were continuing to inch up. It was also reported that rental rates were holding steady with landlords offering concessions instead of lowering rents to keep property values stable. That said, construction didn’t stop in 2020—setting the stage for delivery of big developments across Wake County.
By April 2021, Kane Realty Corp.’s second phase of Smoky Hollow will be complete. The Line Downtown Apartments is open, and the office building, 421 Harrington, will open later this month. The Hollow, the street-level restaurant and retail concept lining the cobblestone streets will open in April.
The Hollow
Tower Two at Bloc(83), the sister tower to One Glenwood, will open this year. The 300,000-square-foot building includes office space, retail and a parking garage.
Tower Two at Bloc(83)
The first phase of Raleigh Crossing, a two-tower project at 301 Hillsborough St., which will house the headquarters for local software company Pendo, will open at the end of 2021 with 300 apartments, 280,000 square feet of office space and 18,000 square feet of retail to boot.
Main Lobby and 301 Hillsborough Retail
Palisades III office building on Trinity Road near the NC State Fairgrounds is scheduled to open this year. Tenant amenities include a fitness center, lounge, plaza and sky terrace.
Palisades III
Grove 98, known more as the Wegman’s shopping center in Wake Forest, will open in May. The 70-acre mixed-use development will feature apartments, restaurants and retail.
WEB EXCLUSIVE Last night in DC, after President Trump addressed his supporters at the Ellipse and pledged to “never concede” to the 2020 election, a large group of rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol building. Police barricades were broken, violence and assault ensued, monuments were defaced, and many Trump supporters were able to break into the Capitol building, armed with various weapons. Four people died and over 50 protestors were arrested last night and this morning. The events were unprecented and horrifying, to say the least.
Here’s a look at what our North Carolina senators and representatives had to say about last night’s events through tweets and interviews with other news outlets.
Senator Thom Tillis
I proudly back the blue and support law and order, which is why I condemned the violence that took place in cities across the nation this summer. It’s a national disgrace to have a mob attacking Capitol Police and engaging in anarchy. This is not what America stands for.
According to an article by WSPA, Burr said that President Trump “bears responsibility for [yesterday’s] events” and has fueled events as such by promoting “unfounded conspiracy theories.” Burr was also quoted saying, “It is past time to accept the will of the American voters and to allow our nation to move forward.”
Representative G.K. Butterfield
Butterfield retweeted the following tweet from Nancy Pelosi last night during the events.
Today’s shameful assault on our democracy — anointed at the highest level of government — must not deter us from our responsibility to the Constitution. Tonight, we will move forward with the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s election.
Ross tweeted about the election and included a statement concerning last night’s events at the Capitol.
The peaceful transition of power is a core tenet of our democracy and one that we, the people, have always respected. Today’s dangerous events, incited by hate and misinformation from the highest levels, are heartbreaking and wrong. They have no place in our political discourse.
Foxx tweeted “The People’s House will not bend to mob rule and we will not abdicate our Constitutional duties” and released a full statement on her website.
Representative Kathy Manning
CBS 17 reported the following quote from Manning and called for President Trump to be removed from office immediately.
“President Trump invited violent rioters to the U.S. Capitol and encouraged the mob to breach the Capitol building and attempt a coup,” Manning said. “This seditious act comes just days after he was caught on tape soliciting election fraud in the state of Georgia. He must be removed from office immediately.”
Representative David Rouzer
2/2 This is not who we are as a nation. A vigorous debate and differences of opinion should never — ever — be an excuse for lawlessness and violence. Praying for our Capitol Police, other law enforcement personnel and those injured today.
Hudson sent out the following tweet with a link to his full statement on last night’s events.
We cannot move forward if we accept violence we witnessed this summer in cities & today in the Capitol as the new normal for resolving differences. We must come together, condemn violence of any kind, and heal this nation. Full statement on today’s events:https://t.co/SfnveEJp5v
Bishop did not have anything to say about the riots at the Capitol, but did send out this tweet concerning the election.
Democrats’ attack on our elections was not minor or sporadic. It was coordinated & widespread.
The burden of proof is on the Democrats in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan & Georgia. I will be not be voting to affirm Presidential election results in those states.
*UPDATE MARCH 30* Gov. Cooper extended delivery and takeout mixed drinks through April 30.
WEB EXCLUSIVE On Monday, Governor Roy Cooper signed an executive order authorizing the North Carolina ABC Commission to allow mixed drinks to be delivered or carried out as an alternative to in-person consumption. The order is in effect from December 21 at 5 p.m. to March 31. Here’s what you need to know about the ruling and what local bars will be offering to-go cocktails.
Only businesses with certain ABC Commission permits are allowed to sell mixed drinks to-go or for delivery, including restaurants, hotels, private clubs, private bars and some distilleries.
“This order will help people avoid settings that can contribute to increased viral spread while giving restaurants and bars a financial boost that they need right now,” Gov. Cooper said in a statement. “With cases and hospitalizations high around the country, let’s all do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 while supporting local, small businesses safely.”
Know How to Go
You must have proof of age and identification. You will have to prove you are over 21 whether your cocktail is for carry-out or delivery.
Buyer must be recipient. The person who purchases the drink must be the person who receives it. That means your partner/spouse/friend/mother can’t pick up your carry-out cocktail.
How many? You can only purchase one at a time (it can be a double) and if you appear intoxicated the seller or delivery driver can refuse to give it to you. More than one drink can be delivered per house because multiple people live in the same house, but each purchaser must be present to receive their drink.
Can I buy a bottle of liquor? No. But they can sell you bottles of wine and/or beer.
Do I have to order food to get cocktail delivered? No.
Hours: Delivery or carry-out cocktails are available until 2 a.m. You can leave your home to pick one up. However, on premise sales still must end by 9 p.m.
Transporting cocktails to-go. Open container laws are still in effect. The sealed cocktail container must be kept in the passenger area of the car at all times.
For more details, read the full executive order here, or go to the state’s FAQ page.
