New Developments in Raleigh, N.C.
Here are the major new visitor developments that are contributing to the Raleigh area's stature as a modern establishment—the thriving state capital of North Carolina.
Fenton Mixed-Use Development (First phase could be completed in 2021)
Fenton is a mixed-use development located in Cary near WakeMed Soccer Park off Cary Towne Blvd. The $850-million project is expected to include one million square feet of office space, 444,000 square feet of retail space, more than 800 multi-family housing units, two boutique hotels and more. Anchor tenants that have been announced are a 125,000-square-foot Wegmans Food Market and a 36,000-square-foot theater from CMX Cinemas. Other tenants already announced are a steakhouse from award-winning chef Scott Crawford, a Tex-Mex restaurant from chef Ford Fry and an Italian restaurant, Colletta, from Indigo Road Hospitality Group. The total development may take five to eight years to complete. Learn more
John Chavis Memorial Park and Community Center (Scheduled completion is summer 2021)
Named for early 19th-century free black preacher and teacher of all races John Chavis, this 37-acre City of Raleigh park was opened in 1938 and thrived for many years as one of the state's first urban parks for African Americans. A revised master plan was adopted in 2014, with construction ultimately beginning in Sept. 2019. The project scope includes a new two-story community center with a full size gym, elevated walking track, fitness center and numerous classrooms and meeting spaces. A renovation to the original Carousel House (which houses one of the oldest operating vintage carousels in the U.S.) will allow for interior event space. A new central plaza with an integrated water feature, plus a large playground for all ages and abilities, will link the two main buildings together. Learn more
North Carolina Freedom Park (Construction to begin 2021, estimated opening 2022)
North Carolina Freedom Park—a long-planned park aiming to honor the African American struggle for freedom and liberty for all—broke ground in late 2020 just a few blocks from the North Carolina State Capitol (corner of N. Wilmington and E. Lane Sts., with plans to start full construction this year. The park will include phrases and quotes from famous Black North Carolinians engraved throughout the space, and a large sculpture in the middle of the park will shine a light into the night sky—the Beacon of Freedom—to reflect the fire for freedom. Designed by the internationally-known late architect Phil Freelon, the park expects to open to the public in 2022. Learn more
Downtown Cary Park (Construction to begin 2021, estimated opening of 2023)
First proposed in 2001, the Town of Cary City Council approved the master plan for Downtown Cary Park in March 2019. The plans to create an iconic, seven-acre public gathering space include a call for two food and beverage facilities, four interactive water features, a great lawn and an outdoor entertainment pavilion. Design of the Downtown Cary Park will get underway this spring and be completed in 2020. Construction of the park is expected to begin in 2021 with full completion in 2023. Learn more
Dorothea Dix Park (Phase 1 of master plan implementation began in 2020)
In July 2015, the City of Raleigh acquired 308 acres of the Dorothea Dix Campus from the State of North Carolina. The purpose of the City’s acquisition of the property is to plan and develop a new destination park—Dorothea Dix Park. A master plan for the park—the city's largest green space—was unanimously approved by Raleigh City Council in Feb. 2019. The master plan proposes the park be transformed through six distinct landscapes, with ideas on how each landscape could be used by visitors (open space, playgrounds, plazas, gardens, performance spaces, public art etc.). Implementation of Phase 1 of the plan, which is underway in late 2020, calls for physical improvements to the park, including restoration of the creek, cemetery enhancements, rehabilitated buildings, a new main entry to the park, a new multi-use path and interim parking. Phase 1 of the plan may take 10-20 years to implement. Learn more