$387M in funding approved to expand Raleigh Convention Center, move Red Hat Amphitheater
More than $387 million will help pay to expand the Raleigh Convention Center and relocate Red Hat Amphitheater a block south of its current location.
Posted — UpdatedWake County commissioners have approved funding for those projects and several others using tax money from hotel stays and restaurant meals.
More than $387 million will help pay to expand the Raleigh Convention Center and relocate Red Hat Amphitheater a block south of its current location.
Another $75 million would go toward building a new downtown Raleigh hotel that can accommodate bigger conventions.
"Being able to bring in additional shows, being able to put ourselves on the map in a sports context, in a recreational context, in an arts context is huge," said Wake County Commissioner Matt Calabria. "Not only because it brings in money that helps us keep our tax rate low, but it also brings in people and it brings great shows that our residents can experience."
There's also $75 million dedicated for a new indoor sports complex as part of the redevelopment of South Hills Mall in Cary. That facility would include 11 multipurpose courts and a 4,000-seat arena that can hold e-sports tournaments.
"It’s one of the more complicated things we’ve done, but I think it’ll be one of the most far-reaching," said Calabria.
Plans have the revamped convention center expanding to cover two full city blocks. Red Hat Amphitheater will rebuild next to its current location. The city-owned amphitheater opened in 2010 at a cost of $2.5 million. Now, $32 million will help pay to relocate Red Hat Amphitheater.
A total of $355 million will go toward the convention center expansion. There's $75 million for a new hotel in downtown Raleigh to accommodate bigger conventions.
Another $75 million is dedicated for a new indoor sports complex in Cary.
The center is part of the redevelopment of South Hills Mall.
The hospitality tax dollars will help pay for projects that make Wake County a destination for even more visitors - and their wallets.
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