Realizing the Potential of Raleigh’s Arena / Stadium Site

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Earlier this week, it was reported with much fan fare that an agreement was reached to develop some of the parking lots at PNC Arena / Carter-Finley Stadium.

Today, the 300+ acre site is home to the arena and stadium but not much else besides a sea of parking lots. The current plan calls for roughly 200 residential units (10% affordable), 150,000 sq ft of office space, 100,000 sq ft of retail, and an indoor live music venue.

For comparison, the Braves Stadium Battery development in Atlanta contains over 500 apartments, 275 hotel rooms, and 2-million square feet of retail / office space on a much smaller 50 acre parcel. This doesn’t include the 1000’s of units, office, and retail space that have developed or are planned just outside of the Battery.

With the growth and affordability crisis that Raleigh is facing, 200 units on this large of a key parcel doesn’t come close to scratching the surface of opportunity. We should aim higher and plan to develop a comprehensive district.

This plan would include a new street grid of 1000’s of units of residential from garden style to high rise, several office towers, entertainment hubs, fan plazas, an amphitheater, riverwalk, and ample greenspace all while preserving several lots for tailgating.

The Structure

A new grid system would be formed through the existing parking lots making way for the increase in all-day activity. Branching out from the stadium and arena would be a series of pedestrian plazas and greenspaces that serve as gathering places to watch events, hold festivals, and just enjoy the day even if an event is not going on.

The increase in connectivity and access points would cut down on the massive gridlock that occurs before and after events currently. Traffic would further be decreased as people would have more incentive to come earlier or stay after events to shop, dine, or play. The site also falls along my idea of the Northern Arc BRT plan.

Riverwalk

On the Western edge of the site flows a creek which would make for a scenic riverwalk with ample tree canopy and be home to a few small cafes / retail.

Entertainment

Creating a 365-day destination is key with spaces for an amphitheater, indoor music venue, movie theatre, bowling, winter skating, etc being provided.

Office, Retail, Hotel, and Residential

Rounding out the vision would be dozens of mid to high rise structures containing office, hotel, and residential uses. Ground floors of the buildings facing greenspace and plazas should be reserved for retail and restaurant uses. This configuration would yield at least 3,000 units and close to 1,000 hotel rooms while also providing ample retail and restaurant choices.

Tailgate Lots

There is a huge demand for tailgate lots for college football and even hockey in the South. Several areas would be reserved for this use just outside of the football stadium. With the increase in formalized greenspace and plaza space outside of the arena and stadium most people will flock to gather there instead.

Edge Residential

The Eastern edge of the site would be home to lower density garden style apartments mixing in with the adjacent student housing developments.

What would you like to see as a part of the site’s redevelopment?

For more photos, ideas, and insights on Raleigh visit https://philveasley.com/raleigh/

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Phil Veasley is a registered Professional Engineer in NC and GA. Opinions and insights are my own and are not representative of my employer or any organization. Any ideas displayed on this site are purely that – just ideas to help improve the future of the built environment and begin discussions.