RALEIGH, N.C. — Change is on the horizon near Raleigh's RBC Center.

Last week, the Raleigh City Council approved plans for a 168-acre mixed-use development consisting of about 1,800 residential units, five four-story office buildings, 200,000 square feet of retail space and possibly even a hotel to go up across the street from the RBC Center on Edwards Mill Road.

Since the arena opened on Oct. 29, 1999, just one hotel and one sports bar have opened in the area.

"We are surprised it's taken this long," said Raleigh Planning Director Mitchell Silver.

Silver said the Interstate 40-Wade Avenue project could attract more development.

"Right now, it's just the RBC," Silver said. "You need those other amenities to make it attractive for people to move nearby."

An unknown tunnel under Edwards Mill Road, that is actually a part of the Raleigh Greenway system, will connect the development and the sports arena.