On Tuesday, Raleigh City Council voted to approve rezoning the area surrounding the Lenovo Center to make way for a $1 billion sports + entertainment district.
After a unanimous council vote, 81 acres near Lenovo Center are now zoned for up to 40 stories, paving the way for 1,450 housing units, a 150-room hotel, a 4,000-seat music venue, and 200,000 sqft of entertainment + lifestyle retail.
The upgrades also include new fan experiences for the Lenovo Center and Carter-Finley Stadium. Expect a plaza + 600-foot promenade between the two venues, creating more space for fans. We’re talking tailgating suites, balconies, two parking garages, and more.
City council members addressed concerns about walkability — especially from students and Head of School at Cardinal Gibbons — and the area’s heavy dependence on cars. Mayor Janet Cowell said she thinks the rezoning plans will address safety concerns for the area, according to The News & Observer.
Construction could begin as early as this year and may take up to 15 years to complete.
