People throughout the Raleigh area have started submitting their feedback to city leaders about the future look of the Raleigh Convention Center.
The city held public meetings Thursday for people to see the first set of plans. It included three external design options. It also featured options for the plaza and green space.
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On Friday, the Raleigh Convention Center hosted the Triangle InfoSecon 2024, a cybersecurity conference. Max Rabinovyc was among those in attendance.
“The pictures look very futuristic, and it seems like it would completely elevate this city,” he said. “It would make it look way more modern.”
The Raleigh Convention Center is set to undergo a $387 million transformation that will add 300,000 square feet. It includes a new building with walking bridges connecting it to the current building.
“We bring people in from all over the world,” said Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex executive director Kery Painter. “So, it’s a chance to put a stake in the ground and say, ‘This is how we see ourself,’ and this is what our skyline will look like in the future.
“It’s exciting.”
Painter said the added space will enhance the visitor experience and allow them to host even more events.
“We’re actually running out of dates,” Painter said. “There are people who want to be here who can’t fit.
“There are people who are outgrowing us that are hanging on really tight squeezing in because they know what’s coming. And then, there are some we just lost. So, this is really needed.”
Earlier this week, the city also released new renderings of the forthcoming Omni Park Hotel.
The hotel is expected to have 550 guest rooms and 55,000 square feet of meeting space, which will allow for larger events to take place downtown and support the growth of the Raleigh Convention Center expansion. It will also have several food and beverage outlets, a rooftop pool, a spa and a fitness center.
The Omni Park Hotel is expected to be complete by late 2027.
The expanded Raleigh Convention Center will be located across McDowell Street at the site of the current Red Hat Amphitheater.
The amphitheater will relocate to 205 W. Lenoir St., which is one block south of its current location. Red Hat Amphitheater will add 500 to 1,000 seats with its relocation.
The current location will operate through the end of the 2025 season. The new location for Red Hat Amphitheater is expected to open in 2026.
The Raleigh City Council voted Sept. 17 to approve closing one block of South Street. The closure will enable the relocation of the Red Hat Amphitheater and will happen in early 2025.
The expanded Raleigh Convention Center is expected to be completed by late 2028.
Elizabeth Moore “I think this will definitely be a huge help,” said Elizabeth Moore, who attended Triangle InfoSecon 2024.
Rabinovyc shared Moore’s sentiments about plans for the convention center.
“This looks brand new, but they’re still updating it, so [it’s a] good thing. Good for them,” Rabinovyc said.
Raligh leaders and residents have said they are hopeful these projects will have a positive impact on a fast-growing city.
City leaders hope to have a final design for the Raleigh Convention Center picked out by early next year.
Anyone wanting to submit feedback can visit the city of Raleigh’s website.