December 3, 2021 - UNC System is moving to Raleigh + new downtown townhomes

The UNC System will be relocating from Chapel Hill to Raleigh. This comes after Gov. Roy Cooper signed the 2022-2023 state budget in November, allocating $11.4 million for the planning + design of UNC System offices in downtown Raleigh.

Downtown Raleigh with be the new home of the UNC System | Photo by Curtis Adams via Pexels

Let’s break it down

This relocation will likely mean parts of the state government campus in downtown Raleigh will be overhauled. The News & Observer reported last month that, in addition to the $11.4 million in funds for relocation, the state budget includes another $1.8 million to, “study the complex and moving offices.”

The relocation could also prove beneficial for future collaboration with the NC Community College System. In November, Senate leader Phil Berger said that synergies could be developed by having the UNC system, NC Community College System, the state Department of Public Instruction + the state Department of Commerce in the same location.

So, when will the relocation take place? A provision of Section 40.1 in Senate Bill 105 states that “all staff and operations shall be relocated to the leased space on or before Dec. 31, 2022.”

A brief history of the UNC System

The history of the UNC System begins in 1789 when the NC General Assembly made UNC Chapel Hill the first public university in the US. This remained the status quo until 1931, when the Assembly added NC State + UNC Greensboro, then UNC Asheville, UNC Charlotte, and UNC Wilmington in 1969.

In 1972, the Assembly officially established the UNC System (yes, that means 2022 marks the 40th anniversary of the institution) and added 16 public universities, with a 17th constituent institution added in 2007. The System’s move to Raleigh is the first in its 200+ years in NC.

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EVENTS

Today

St. Nick’s: A Raleigh Jolly Pop-Up Bar | Fri., Dec. 3 | 5 p.m. | 306 E. Hargett St. | $20 | Take part in this interactive Christmas experience at this holiday-themed bar. 🎄
Santa Paws | Fri., Dec. 3 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Durham Armory, 212 Foster St., Durham | Free | Bring your canine to meet Santa, compete in a canine ugly sweater contest, shop at the holiday pet market, and give to the canine food drive. 🐶

Tomorrow

MDR at the Market | Sat., Dec. 4 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | NCMA | Free | Experience the Monster Drawing Rally outdoors this year and see featured artists like Trevor Van Meter + Claudia Finelle at work.
29th Annual Chatham Studio Tour | Sat., Dec. 4-Sun., Dec. 5 | Times vary | Various locations | Free | Enjoy this self-guided tour as you visit with Chatham County’s fine artists in their studios.
Nutcracker with a Twist | Sat., Dec. 4 | 2-4 p.m.| Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts | $10-$20 | Presented by DanceArt Studio, this version is a fun spin on the classical ballet that celebrates traditional ballet while incorporating all styles of dance. 🩰 *

Sunday

Gifting Tree Project | Sun., Dec. 5 | 10 a.m. | S. Academy St., Cary | Free | Take a walk through downtown Cary to witness the local organization’s Christmas tree display. 🎄
Boylan Heights ArtWalk | Sun., Dec. 5 | 12-5 p.m. | Historic Boylan Heights | Free | Attend this holiday market in its 29th year to see everything from painting, pottery, metal work, and more.
Creative Abstract Photography Class + Workshops | Sun., Dec. 5 | 1-3 p.m. | Virtual | $179 | Sign up for this abstract photography class and explore ordinary subjects from a fresh perspective. 📸

Monday

We Connect | Mon., Dec. 6 | 4:30-6 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Listen to Accenture’s global change management lead Sumreen Ahmad speak on building an inclusive and diverse business community.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

DECEMBER EVENTS IN THE TRIANGLE

THE BUY

Snag Renewal by Andersen’s December deal of the month

Installing energy-efficient windows + doors can help reduce energy consumption — especially during colder months | Photo provided by Renewal by Andersen

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to update your home’s weathered, old windows and doors — here’s something to get you started on a home update. Now through Dec. 31, Renewal by Andersen is offering $325 off every window + $700 off every patio door.

Bonus: Customers don’t have to pay anything for an entire year. Schedule a free in-home consultation by calling 919-756-3389 or visiting the link below.*

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

NEWS NOTES

Weather

71° | Sunny | 4% chance of rain ☀️

Civic

The NC Dept. of Health and Human Services is now accepting applications for the state’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program. The program helps low-income homes with a one-time payment directly to their heating vendor to offset the cost of heating during cold months.

Open

Side Quest Game Lounge + Bar and Gathering Gallery have officially opened storefronts Downtown. Side Quest Game Lounge — at 317-113 W. Morgan St. — offers games, food, and beverages. Gathering Gallery is an art + gift shop located at 111 E. Hargett St. that employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Development

Raleigh development firm Dukes Properties & Construction began work on the Dukes at Cityview this week. The project is a collection of eight high end, 3-story townhomes located in downtown Raleigh. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. (Triangle Business Journal)
Raleigh-based real estate firm APG Capital has proposed to build 362 units of housing in Franklin County. The housing community would be situated on 85 acres of land just off NC Highway 96 + just 30 minutes north of downtown Raleigh. 🏠 (Triangle Business Journal)
Raleigh Hotel Associates, LLC has sold the DoubleTree by Hilton Raleigh-Brownstone-University to CS Acquisition Vehicle, LLC for $42 million. CSAV has not announced what they have planned for the 190-room hotel. (Triangle Business Journal)

Community

The City of Raleigh is looking for advisory board members for its Volunteer Raleigh program. The board will help the city connect residents with service opportunities at local nonprofits that depend on volunteers. Individuals with a variety of interests are encouraged to apply.

Coronavirus

The Durham County Department of Public Health is providing free COVID-19 vaccines today from 1-4 p.m. at the Museum of Life and Science. Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J vaccines are available for walk-ins ages five and older. 💉

Holiday

The NC Zoo’s annual holiday event, “Believe…in the Magic of the Season” begins Sat., Dec. 4. The zoo grounds will have holiday decorations and visitors will be able to see the animals getting holiday treats throughout the day. 🎄 (CBS 17)
Esteamed Coffee is holding its first ever Holiday Open House on Sat., Dec. 4 from 5:30-8 p.m. Hot chocolate, decaf coffee, and items at the gift gallery will be available for purchase. ☕

Edu

NC Central University School of Law has been awarded with a $100,000 grant to help prepare disadvantaged applicants for admission to its program. The grant was presented by the Law School Admission Council and aims to help “underrepresented aspiring lawyers” with tools to navigate the admissions process. (INDY Week)

Announced

Advance Carolina and the NC Black Alliance have welcomed Jovita Lee as their new program and policy director. In this position, Jovita will guide policy issue IDs for the 2022 mid-term election cycle and bring strategic alignment to various program areas.

Cause

On Giving Tuesday, East Wake Education Foundation, Good Hope Baptist Church, and the Triangle Conservancy received double the benefit from Meridian Waste’s 2021 Shotwell Landfill Charity Pumpkin Patch. Meridian Waste — a local solid waste service company — donated all of the funds from the event + a matching donation from the company’s headquarters.

Listen

In celebration of the Spotify Wrapped season, The News & Observer shared a list of local artists’ monthly listeners. The Avett Brothers, from Concord, have 1,832,664 monthly Spotify listeners + Durham-based Sylvan Esso has a total of 1,757,032 monthly listeners. Find more local artists on the list here. 🎶

Job

Passionate about storytelling, news, and Raleigh? RALtoday (yep, that’s us) is hiring a City Editor to plan, write, edit, and publish the most relevant + conversational daily content about our city. See details + apply.

Drink

There’s nothing better than seasonal coffee drinks, and Lowes Foods is bringin’ it this winter with flavors like Cinnamon Sugar Cookie, Peppermint Mocha + more. Add flavored creamer for a decadent afternoon treat. ☕*

#RALTODAY

2022 is just around the corner

📸 @DurhamNC

It’s the last month of 2021 and we can’t believe a new year is less than 30 days away. That means it’s officially time to get some NYE plans solidified + added to our calendars. Where are you celebrating NYE this year, Raleigh?

Let us know and we may feature your shared celebrations in an upcoming newsletter.

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THE WRAP

Editor’s Pick: Happy Friday, Raleigh. With today’s high in the 70s, I’ll be soaking up as much December sunshine as I can. I’m looking forward to nice evening walk at Dorthea Dix Park.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We broke down the $217 million that Wake County received in federal funds + the opening of Crawford’s Cookshop.