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Downtown South: Where It’s at & What’s to Come

Downtown South: Where It’s at & What’s to Come

by | Jun 30, 2026 | Buzz, July/August 2026

DTR’s highly anticipated development on the southern edge is making moves. 

Part construction zone, part idea, part promise, Downtown South is finally back in the headlines—moving forward again following a pandemic-era pause.

Kane Realty Corporation has officially filed plans for the first phase of the long-discussed project, calling for 350 garden-style apartment units spread across eight three- to four-story residential buildings on 11 acres of South Saunders Street—complete with such high-end amenities as a clubhouse, pool, courtyards and surface parking. While the filing represents only a small portion of the project’s overall vision—see: a 20,000-seat stadium—it signals meaningful momentum for one of Raleigh’s most ambitious redevelopment efforts.

Originally unveiled in 2019, the $2+ billion mixed-use development spearheaded by Kane Realty founder John Kane and North Carolina FC and North Carolina Courage owner Steve Malik encompasses roughly 140 acres along the southern edge of DTR. The goal: transforming a largely industrial corridor into a dense, walkable urban district blending residential, office, retail, hospitality, entertainment and public green space.

Downtown South PC Kane Realty
Kane Realty

Ultimately, the long-term vision for Downtown South is to function as a southern gateway into Raleigh’s urban core—a destination where people can live, work, gather and connect. Additional plans for Phase 1 include 535,000 square feet of office space, 60,000 square feet of retail, ~1,000 multifamily units, a 3,500-seat concert venue and a 180-room hotel. 

“As Raleigh continues to grow, we welcome additional locations of activity and density that expand the city’s urban footprint and create new opportunities for residents, visitors and businesses,” Downtown Raleigh Alliance President and CEO Bill King tells RM. “We’re encouraged by the ongoing conversations about Downtown South and believe that an entertainment district can be a valuable addition to Raleigh’s growing collection of urban destinations.” 

For decades, the area surrounding South Saunders Street served as a working edge of Downtown, characterized by warehouses, industrial buildings, auto shops and commercial uses that supported the city’s growth behind the scenes. Today, longtime businesses continue operating alongside newer arrivals drawn by relatively affordable real estate and proximity to Downtown, while development interest continues creeping farther south.

But the transformation has not come without questions—and pushback. Residents in nearby Rochester Heights, one of Raleigh’s historically significant African American neighborhoods, have raised concerns over environmental impacts, displacement pressures, and the potential effects of large-scale redevelopment on surrounding communities. Those conversations remain part of the broader discussion as plans continue to evolve.

For now, much of the site still exists somewhere between blueprint and reality. Open parcels of land, active businesses, and future development footprints share the same landscape. Yet the latest filing suggests that after years of anticipation, Downtown South may finally be entering its next chapter.

“What’s most important is that Downtown South is well-connected to Downtown Raleigh and that the amenities in these neighborhoods complement each other,” stresses King. “That will help to create a more vibrant, accessible and economically resilient urban center that benefits the entire city.”

What remains clear is that Downtown South is being negotiated in real time—and will shape more than Raleigh’s skyline. As plans move forward, residents, business owners and developers alike will help redefine both the physical boundaries and cultural meaning of what Downtown can be.

Will NC Loosen Up Liquor Laws?

Will NC Loosen Up Liquor Laws?

by | May 28, 2026 | Buzz, May 2026

Here’s what to know about HB 921

North Carolina has long had some of the country’s most restrictive alcohol laws—but a new bill moving through the General Assembly could signal a shift toward looser booze restrictions.

The ABC & Gaming Omnibus Bill (HB 921) recently advanced through committee review, though not without plenty of debate and amendments tacked on. If passed, the most prominent—and highly anticipated—change would allow grocery and convenience stores to sell canned cocktails. Read: No more liquor store trips to secure High Noons or Cutwaters.

To boot, mixed-beverage permit holders (aka restaurants and bars) could sell “to-go” cocktails in approved containers. The bill also proposes expanded tasting opportunities at ABC stores and distilleries; tax credits for distillers, breweries and wineries; and adjustments to rules surrounding drink specials and happy hours.

One of the most controversial sections of the bill—the allowance of Sunday liquor store sales—didn’t survive committee and was ultimately removed from the bill before it could advance due to pushback from more conservative NC representatives.

Meanwhile, supporters argue the legislation would help NC’s F&B industry remain competitive with neighboring states while updating outdated regulations. Virginia has more flexible ABC operations overall, including broader tasting opportunities and state-run liquor stores that operate on Sundays in many locations. Tennessee significantly loosened alcohol laws over the last decade, including adding Sunday liquor sales and expanding retail alcohol access. 

HB 921 would allow NC to catch up to its Southern counterparts—and mark one of the most notable overhauls to alcohol laws in recent years.

Democratic representative Laura Budd, a sponsor of the bill, says a policy update is long overdue. “Modification of NC’s alcohol laws will net a positive impact on our state’s economy, from small businesses like restaurants to larger companies in manufacturing and retail establishments,” she emphasizes. 

Republican representative Celeste C. Cairns, a primary sponsor, notes the legislation is still a work in process, and has at least two more stops before reaching the House floor. 

“ABC issues affect a broad group of interested parties across our state, so it is inevitable that aspects of the bill will bring strong reactions from the public—some of support and some of consternation,” says Cairns. 

For now, North Carolina’s famously strict liquor laws remain largely intact—but lawmakers appear increasingly willing to reconsider how alcohol sales and hospitality operate statewide. We’ll drink to that.