This is one of the 5 in 5 strategic goals for downtown Raleigh

Connect to every step of the convention center process from August 2002 to present – and leave your comments on the project! 

View the estimated timeline for these and other Livable Streets projects

Read the Livable Streets Update for latest news on the convention center and downtown projects

Contact Jayne Kirkpatrick, City Public Affairs Director, for more information on this project.

Just give me the numbers...

Computer-generated photomontage of convention center superimposed on Raleigh skyline

proposed site for the convention center complex between Salisbury and Dawson Streets north of Lenoir Street (More images)  

ARCHIVED NEWS:

• February 25, 2005 - LOOK FOR UPDATES FROM THIS POINT OUT ON THE NEW PROJECT WEB SITE!!
• December 20, 2004 - City Council approves issuance of COPS financing for convention center and underground parking structure.
• December 7, 2004 - City Council approves GMP 2 ($18,899,078).  There are 5 GMP packages necessary to complete the Convention Center.  Council also reviewed options for demolition of the existing convention center and opted to demolish entire center at once.
• November 22, 2004 - City Council and Wake County Commissioners approve revisions to the Interlocal Agreement to distribute hotel occupancy and prepared foods revenues, based on updated financial model for the Convention Center project.
• November 16, 2004 - City Council approves 980-space underground parking structure to be built on the site of the existing convention center after demolition.
• November 2, 2004 - City Council holds parking deck decision until November 16 meeting. See background memo
• October 14, 2004 - City Council considers 980-space parking structure under existing Convention Center block.  More information to be presented at Nov. 2 meeting. See background memo.
• October 14, 2004 - City Council / County Commissioners approve schematic design for convention center
• September 14, 2004 - City Council / County Commission meet to discuss the latest evolution of the Convention Center architectural design. 
• August 10, 2004 - City Council / County Commission meet to discuss the "architects' sketchbook" and current design ideas for the Convention Center
• July 13, 2004 - City Council / County Commission meet to discuss general concepts for design of the new convention center
• May 20 2004 - City Council / County Commissioners agree to selection of Alternative B for the new convention center
• April 6, 2004 - City Council  OK's contract with CM at risk, approves financing scheme that locks in interest rates for CC construction at historically low levels, saving approx. $27 million over 30 years over the financial model's estimate.
• March 3, 2004 - City Council  confirms selection of Skanska / Barnhill as Construction Manager at risk..
• February 9, 2004 - City Council  chooses Skanska / Barnhill as Construction Manager at Risk for the Convention Center
• January 8, 2004 - City Council / County Commissioners agree to set date for review of amended interlocal agreement for financing of convention center in late January / early February (to be announced)
• Dec. 19, 2003 - City Council / County Commissioners to hold joint meeting on January 8 at 6 pm to review draft interlocal agreement on funding convention center construction.
• Dec. 12, 2003 - Request for Qualifications published for Construction Manager-at-Risk.
• Nov. 18, 2003 - Public meetings scheduled with various groups to discuss design of convention center with architect team.
• Nov. 5, 2003 - City Council approves Thompson Ventulett Stainback (TVS) to be national architecture firm for Convention Center.  Council also approves moving ahead with a Construction- Manager- at- Risk process for the construction of the center.  RFQ for this will be distributed in mid-December.
• October 22 , 2003 - City Council held a decision on the convention center architect open until Nov. 5.  
• October 20 , 2003 - on Tuesday, Oct 21 City Council will consider the City and County Managers'  recommendation to choose TVS Architects of Atlanta to design the new Convention Center.
• October 15 , 2003 - The Phase 1 environmental report on the convention center site has been completed.  In its report to the City, Titan Atlantic Group uncovered no unusual findings, and is recommending routine additional evaluation of the convention center site including groundwater and soil testing.
• October 6 , 2003 - October 8-10 a City-County staff team will travel to several sites where each of the two short-listed architectural firms have completed similar convention center projects. A recommendation on the national architectural firm to design the convention center will be made to the Council on October 21.
• September 26, 2003 - The City Council will receive a recommendation in October from a staff team to select a national architectural firm to design the convention center in partnership with the local architects: Clearscapes / OBrien Atkins Associates.
• September 16, 2003 - The City Council approved the selection of Clearscapes / OBrien Atkins Associates as the local architectural firm that will work with a national firm to design the convention center. The Council also approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Progress Energy regarding environmental remediation on PE's site that is to be acquired by the City for the convention center.

View the convention center financial model, showing the utilization of the hotel occupancy and prepared foods revenue.

Read the Livable Streets Update for current status of a variety of downtown initiatives, including the convention center.  Back issues are available to September 2003.