A surge in housing development is transforming open fields in southeast Raleigh, with plans for nearly 300 new townhomes near Whitfield Road.
This rapid growth aims to meet the increasing demand for housing in Wake County's booming sector.
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However, not everyone is on board with this housing boom. Some local residents are expressing concerns.
For many residents like Ashleigh Erculiani, the development raises concerns about affordability and accessibility.
"We're just 20 minutes from the city — it's rare to find an area this affordable," said Erculiani, who lives in southeast Raleigh.
Her neighborhood has become a hotspot for construction, with even more growth anticipated nearby.
Gander Development has unveiled plans to build nearly 300 townhomes in the surrounding fields.
"This location offers excellent access to Raleigh with multiple routes, and it's also well-connected to coastal areas," said Robert Shunk, director of entitlements at Gander Development, during a phone interview with WRAL News.
Shunk said the housing boom is essential to accommodate the influx of professionals in the area.
"We need housing to support these new businesses," Shunk said.
But for longtime residents like Montez Bates, there's a growing concern that the area's rising property values could push out those who have called Raleigh home for generations.
"When homes cost $500,000 or $600,000, you're pricing out a lot of people who grew up here and whose families are from here," Bates said.
As construction progresses, some locals are advocating for more commercial development, particularly essential services like grocery stores.
"We could really use more grocery stores around here," said Erculiani.
Developers are currently in the process of selecting a national home builder, with plans to break ground in early 2025.