Raleigh Stadium/Arena/Sports Discussions

Not surprising but city council approves rezoning for the development around Lenovo Center. Construction should start shortly after the 2025 NC State Football season ends.

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That area of Raleigh will blow up.

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Yeah, we will continue to “blow up” areas of the city that are very car dependent: resulting in more walkability that you have to (except @GucciLittlePig & @GucciLittlePenguin ) drive to.

We need more large scale energy and commitment to downtown proper.

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¿Por qué no ambos?

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just SO MUCH EASIER and cheaper to acquire a huge swath of land, acres and acres, master plan it, and build it out intentionally
a la North Hills, Fenton etc. (and now Lenovo Center “Entertainment District”)
rather than try and assemble large parcels downtown to do anything on a scale approaching this.

I would love more downtown. This definitely will compete for development. Billions of dollars. Wow.

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It’s easy to get swept up in “$1 billion” headlines and assume that Raleigh’s downtown is being overlooked in favor of cheaper or more convenient developments on the outskirts. However, examining the facts about Raleigh’s growth provides a clearer picture of where the majority of investment dollars are truly being directed.

The Lenovo Center entertainment district expansion is a promising addition to the region, but it’s important to note that the timeline spans 20 years. Phase I includes two parking structures, a tailgating zone, and a 4,500-seat music venue. While it’s pitched as a $1 billion development, this figure is speculative and not guaranteed, as each phase relies on meeting specific milestones for progress to continue. Significant momentum will be necessary for this project to fully materialize as envisioned.

For reference in Raleigh’s downtown core (which is larger at 700+ acres compared to 80 acres):

I didn’t even include Maeve, 301 Hillsboro, AC Hotel, Smokey Hollow, Rockway, or the dozens of other projects currently under construction, along with the $2+ billion pipeline of upcoming developments. This all points to downtown Raleigh’s strong momentum, solid foundation, and likelihood of receiving the majority of regional investment dollars, even as hubs like North Hills, Midtown Exchange, Fenton, and RTP continue to see significant growth and development.

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I think you may have just taken some wind out of the sails of the Lenovo project. Not to say that it won’t be a great development (some day) but other developments are happening right now. Thanks for the perspective that we all needed.

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For that part of Raleigh it will surely help. I imagine it will at least be more cause for more bus routes though. HOPEFULLY this encourages them to modify the western BRT to include the arena

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:hurricanes:
:partying_face:
:hurricanes:-----------------------------:hurricanes:-----------------------------:hurricanes:-----------------------------:hurricanes:
Shocked nobody posted in here that the Canes closed out their first round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs beating the New Jersey Devils at home on double OT winning the series 4-1!!! They were even down 0-3 in the first period!! They won last night 5-4.
:hurricanes:-----------------------------:hurricanes:-----------------------------:hurricanes:-----------------------------:hurricanes:
:partying_face:
:hurricanes:

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Woo! Was going to make a post!

Was going to suggest. How do we get our city lighting up the LED lights red again? For awhile we had the PNC building and others lighting the building red for the Canes during the playoffs.

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I’ll inquire and get back to you. Need to reach out to my :bird:

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Sweet. Hope we can get that going again! I’ve already got my apartment decked out in color LED lights in support.

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it’s honestly shameful this hasn’t been happening during the first round
 why the lack of consistency when this was happening in Playoffs prior
???

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Because Mary Ann Baldwin was Mayor. She goes to all of the games!

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Yup, caught up with MAB after Game 2. She spent more time in the suite this season but is back in the bowl for the playoffs. Huge Caniac, you love to see it!!!

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I was too busy sitting in traffic every night trying to get home. I hope they close soon so the playoffs are over and I can drive unrestricted to my house that is very close to their stadium.

(I’m kidding, very excited to see how far they can go. Last night was a crazy game for sure!)

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I would argue that the MAYOR of the city of RALEIGH where a major NHL HOCKEY TEAM plays
 should publicly support that team regardless of whether or not they’re a fan!!! - Janet doesn’t have to go to the games
 but she should at least organize the skyline turning red. Like, bare minimum. Come on now!!!

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From what I have been told, she supports a downtown sports stadium in the future. Mayor Cowell.

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No response yet. I assume there’s an effort to do this driven by the DRA, but no confirmation yet.

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I at least like how the arena is lit red for wins now

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