Raleigh

Raleigh Alerts

Alert

blue

Axios Raleigh Partners

Axios Raleigh

Standard

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Raleigh.

Axios Raleigh Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Raleigh Members

Membership

Ex-Democrats hand North Carolina GOP key votes

Two Mecklenburg lawmakers helped Republicans advance constitutional amendments and override a veto.

Politics

Two former Democrats gave Republicans in the North Carolina House the three-fifths majority they needed for several votes Wednesday, passing a trio of constitutional amendments that will likely appear on ballots across the state in November.Why it matters: Charlotte state Reps. Carla Cunningham and Nasif Majeed having joined the Republican majority Wednesday may have long-term effects, given the high threshold for altering the state constitution.

North Carolina sues VinFast to take back control of Chatham County land

The lawsuit is meant to take back control of the Chatham County land VinFast wanted to build on.

Business

N.C. Attorney General Jeff Jackson is suing the Vietnamese car maker VinFast, alleging the electric vehicle company breached its agreement with the state to build a manufacturing facility in Chatham County. Why it matters: Announced with much fanfare in 2022, VinFast&#x27;s promise to build a $4 billion EV plant in Chatham County and employ some 7,500 workers has not materialized, according to the lawsuit. <ul><li>The lawsuit is part of an effort by the state to reacquire the 1,765-acre site from VinFast and begin marketing it to new companies. </li></ul>

Why a Raleigh church is rethinking its parking lot's future

Many churches across the country are now using excess land to add affordable housing.

News

One of Raleigh&#x27;s most historic churches, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Edenton Street United Methodist Church" data-vars-click-url="https://www.esumc.org/" data-vars-content-id="9115327a-afae-4966-bbd1-0316fa8cf9e6" data-vars-headline="Why a Raleigh church is rethinking its parking lot&#x27;s future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.esumc.org/" target="_blank">Edenton Street United Methodist Church</a>, is contemplating the future of its downtown parking lot and how it can be best used going forward in a rapidly changing city. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The church&#x27;s 1.2-acre parking lot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.esumc.org/dawsonlot" data-vars-content-id="9115327a-afae-4966-bbd1-0316fa8cf9e6" data-vars-headline="Why a Raleigh church is rethinking its parking lot&#x27;s future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.esumc.org/dawsonlot" target="_blank">The church&#x27;s 1.2-acre parking lot</a> sits in the heart of downtown Raleigh, where the church has been located since the early 1800s.

North Carolina Aquarium closing for yearslong expansion

The aquarium closes after Memorial Day for a renovation that will add a huge new shark habitat.

<figure><img alt="A shark moves through the screen, its multiple rows of teeth and dead-looking eye nearing the camera lens." height="450" id="10af9e22-a47b-481f-8ca1-65b5730e5a68" src="https://images.axios.com/WCIhcD3MIptV2oxxjZP1B4fDUy0=/2026/05/21/1779378719507.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>A sand tiger shark at Fort Fisher Aquarium. Video: Mary Helen Moore/Axios</figcaption></figure>This is the final weekend the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher will be open for several years. Why it matters: A lengthy renovation and expansion begins after Memorial Day that will give the already popular destination a new look and make it the state&#x27;s largest aquarium.Zoom in: Today, the aquarium is home to around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="200 species" data-vars-click-url="http://inaturalist.org/guides/1499?page=1" data-vars-content-id="2a2d2d2e-f96d-4944-8fce-fdff17ba1be1" data-vars-headline="North Carolina Aquarium closing for yearslong expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://inaturalist.org/guides/1499?page=1" target="_blank">200 species</a>, many native to North Carolina&#x27;s waters, including sand tiger sharks, an albino alligator and, sometimes, sea turtles. <ul><li>Many of the fish and other animals. including two families of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Asian small-clawed otters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/NCAquariumFF/posts/1332249242280196?ref=embed_post" data-vars-content-id="2a2d2d2e-f96d-4944-8fce-fdff17ba1be1" data-vars-headline="North Carolina Aquarium closing for yearslong expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/NCAquariumFF/posts/1332249242280196?ref=embed_post" target="_blank">Asian small-clawed otters</a>, will remain on-site throughout construction, aquarium staff said.</li><li>Renovations will add a massive 400,000-gallon shark habitat, new touch tanks and more.</li></ul>Driving the news: Construction breaks ground Tuesday. The state says it will take around 30 months, putting completion in late 2028. <ul><li>North Carolina has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two other state-run aquariums" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncaquariums.com/" data-vars-content-id="2a2d2d2e-f96d-4944-8fce-fdff17ba1be1" data-vars-headline="North Carolina Aquarium closing for yearslong expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncaquariums.com/" target="_blank">two other state-run aquariums</a>, but Fort Fisher is the closest one to the Triangle.</li><li>Fort Fisher&#x27;s Civil War-era historic site and beach access both will remain open.</li></ul>By the numbers: The aquarium had about 474,000 visitors in 2025.If you go: Aquarium entry continues <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="9am-5pm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncaquariums.com/visit-fort-fisher" data-vars-content-id="2a2d2d2e-f96d-4944-8fce-fdff17ba1be1" data-vars-headline="North Carolina Aquarium closing for yearslong expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncaquariums.com/visit-fort-fisher" target="_blank">9am-5pm</a> through Monday. Adult tickets cost $15.<ul><li>The drive from Wilmington takes about 30 minutes. </li><li>900 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach</li></ul><figure><img alt="View of visitors, including many children, as they view various fish in a tank at the Fort Fisher Aquarium, Kure Beach, North Carolina, 1997. " height="3125" id="eb139a25-ff97-4611-841b-fc98a2b44e19" src="https://images.axios.com/dMbGQ11G1AI8i0MxbapijzwHlhA=/2026/05/21/1779385682123.jpeg" width="4800"/><figcaption>The Fort Fisher aquarium in 1997. Photo: Brownie Harris/Corbis via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>

Townhome and condo prices are falling in Raleigh

Single-family homes, meanwhile, saw prices grow slightly.

Development

A divergence is forming in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Raleigh housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/07/whats-next-for-the-triangle-real-estate-market-in-2026" data-vars-content-id="f8ecfabb-546e-4dc1-a596-d96e90a3faeb" data-vars-headline="Townhome and condo prices are falling in Raleigh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/07/whats-next-for-the-triangle-real-estate-market-in-2026" target="_self">Raleigh housing market</a> this spring between single-family homes and townhomes and condos.Why it matters: While the price of single-family homes grew year-over-year in March, townhomes and condos got cheaper, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Homes.com&#x27;s latest report shows." data-vars-click-url="https://www.homes.com/reports/raleigh-housing-market/#Sale%20Prices" data-vars-content-id="f8ecfabb-546e-4dc1-a596-d96e90a3faeb" data-vars-headline="Townhome and condo prices are falling in Raleigh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.homes.com/reports/raleigh-housing-market/#Sale%20Prices" target="_blank">Homes.com&#x27;s latest report shows.</a>

Raleigh pitches affordable housing and retail for old DMV HQ site

But the math for building affordable housing has gotten complicated by a glut of new apartments.

Demolition of the former DMV headquarters on New Bern Avenue is about halfway complete, but city leaders are beginning to get a clearer picture of what the site could become. Why it matters: The city spent $20 million to buy the roughly 6-acre property in 2023 with a goal of maintaining control of an influential piece of land in a rapidly transforming neighborhood and on a future <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bus-rapid transit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/04/28/raleigh-tries-again-to-get-bus-rapid-transit-construction-started" data-vars-content-id="57bc969d-0efd-4747-8f2e-2c5a909ca0e9" data-vars-headline="Raleigh pitches affordable housing and retail for old DMV HQ site" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/04/28/raleigh-tries-again-to-get-bus-rapid-transit-construction-started" target="_self">bus-rapid transit</a> line.

Kane Realty sets its sights on Cary

The project target downtown Cary and an old office building on Weston Parkway

Raleigh&#x27;s most prolific developer, Kane Realty, is betting big on Cary. Why it matters: Kane Realty, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="known for its work in North Hills" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/02/whats-next-for-kane-realty-in-2026" data-vars-content-id="70d21e93-2504-4ce0-9c6c-e756944d93b8" data-vars-headline="Kane Realty sets its sights on Cary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/02/whats-next-for-kane-realty-in-2026" target="_self">known for its work in North Hills</a> and downtown Raleigh, is proposing two significant projects in Cary, one that would add to the growth of downtown Cary and another that seeks to transform an aging office building.

Fitness studios are taking over the Triangle's downtowns

From pilates to saunas, fitness and wellness studios are growing in Durham and Raleigh

Boutique fitness studios and wellness centers are booming across the Triangle. Why it matters: As e-commerce shrinks demand for traditional retail, ground-floor spaces in downtowns and shopping centers are increasingly filled by businesses focused on fitness and personal care.

Data center opposition is growing in North Carolina

Orange County just passed a moratorium and Durham is considering one.

Data center moratoriums continue to expand <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="across the state" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/23/data-center-opposition-grows-across-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="d5ae119a-65ef-4c61-92e1-7fcbbf98ec8d" data-vars-headline="Data center opposition is growing in North Carolina" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/23/data-center-opposition-grows-across-north-carolina" target="_self">across the state</a>, according to an analysis by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="N.C. Data Center Newsletter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/four-new-moratoriums-approved-apex-project-reemerges-vance-muraca-mwkre/?trackingId=6Tvli1J5RCa6lvpSM%2F1JwA%3D%3D" data-vars-content-id="d5ae119a-65ef-4c61-92e1-7fcbbf98ec8d" data-vars-headline="Data center opposition is growing in North Carolina" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/four-new-moratoriums-approved-apex-project-reemerges-vance-muraca-mwkre/?trackingId=6Tvli1J5RCa6lvpSM%2F1JwA%3D%3D" target="_blank">N.C. Data Center Newsletter</a>. Why it matters: As developers race to build data centers to meet a growing demand for computing power for artificial intelligence, residents across the country are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasingly trying to limit where they can be built" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/05/data-centers-midterms-state-bans-bills-ai" data-vars-content-id="d5ae119a-65ef-4c61-92e1-7fcbbf98ec8d" data-vars-headline="Data center opposition is growing in North Carolina" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/05/data-centers-midterms-state-bans-bills-ai" target="_self">increasingly trying to limit where they can be built</a>.

Kane Realty begins its next large expansion of North Hills

The plans are the first to be filed on a 28-acre expansion of North Hills

Prolific Raleigh developer Kane Realty, which has remade swaths of downtown Raleigh and the North Hills area, has filed its first plans for a significant expansion of North Hills. Why it matters: Earlier this year, Kane <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="paid $72 million for 28 acres" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/02/whats-next-for-kane-realty-in-2026" data-vars-content-id="40eea324-44f0-4740-9a04-ece4e1dc6a05" data-vars-headline="Kane Realty begins its next large expansion of North Hills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/02/whats-next-for-kane-realty-in-2026" target="_self">paid $72 million for 28 acres</a> of land along Navaho Drive, a large purchase that expands its North Hills holdings from Six Forks Road to Wake Forest Road.

Corporate landowners could benefit most from North Carolina property tax reform

Corporate landowners pay millions in Wake County taxes, and Duke Energy's footprint is the largest by far.

Wake County&#x27;s biggest payers of property tax include drug makers, real estate developers, tech companies and a bank — but none of their land holdings come close to the value of Duke Energy&#x27;s.Why it matters: North Carolina lawmakers concerned about housing affordability are considering capping annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="property tax increases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/04/15/nc-ballot-measure-property-tax-reform-constitutional-amendment" data-vars-content-id="47af64a6-7f72-4300-8149-47e52916a42c" data-vars-headline="Corporate landowners could benefit most from North Carolina property tax reform" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/04/15/nc-ballot-measure-property-tax-reform-constitutional-amendment" target="_self">property tax increases</a>, though such a policy could disproportionately benefit the state&#x27;s largest corporate landowners.

Pharma company AbbVie plots 700-job facility in Durham

The company plans to create more than 700 jobs at the facility.

AbbVie, a biopharmaceutical giant, will invest $1.4 billion into a new facility in Durham, the company and the N.C. Department of Commerce announced Wednesday. Why it matters: The expansion is yet another win from the pharmaceutical industry for the Triangle and will create more than 700 jobs over the next four years, according to AbbVie. <ul><li>AbbVie also considered Chicago for the expansion, according to the Commerce Department. </li></ul>Driving the news: If it meets hiring and investment goals, AbbVie could receive more than $19 million in incentives from the state. <ul><li>The city of Durham and Durham County will also contribute $24.8 million in incentives. </li></ul>Zoom in: AbbVie said in a statement that it hopes to begin construction on the 185-acre campus this year and open the facility in 2028. <ul><li>The facility will focus on the production of AbbVie&#x27;s drugs in the immunology, neuroscience and oncology space. </li><li>The average wage at the AbbVie facility will be $118,000, and the company is expected to hire engineers, lab technicians, manufacturing roles and scientists. </li><li>This is AbbVie&#x27;s first investment into the state of North Carolina, and its campus will be located near <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Research Triangle Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/11/25/research-triangle-park-clears-final-hurdle-rtp-30-rezoning-durham-wake-counties" data-vars-content-id="01c1a536-84d3-4349-9b9a-45add6a193c1" data-vars-headline="Pharma company AbbVie plots 700-job facility in Durham" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/11/25/research-triangle-park-clears-final-hurdle-rtp-30-rezoning-durham-wake-counties" target="_self">Research Triangle Park</a>. </li><li>The company said the first phase of construction at the site will include facilities for small volume parenteral drugs, laboratories, a warehouse and administrative offices. </li></ul>The big picture: Durham and Wake counties have seen huge commitments from pharmaceutical companies in recent months. <ul><li>Last fall, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Novartis pledged" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/11/19/novartis-plans-hundreds-of-jobs-in-durham-and-morrisville" data-vars-content-id="01c1a536-84d3-4349-9b9a-45add6a193c1" data-vars-headline="Pharma company AbbVie plots 700-job facility in Durham" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/11/19/novartis-plans-hundreds-of-jobs-in-durham-and-morrisville" target="_self">Novartis pledged</a> to hire more than 700 people at facilities in Durham and Wake counties. </li><li>Other wins include expansions from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Genentech" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/20/biotech-company-genentech-increases-investment-into-holly-springs" data-vars-content-id="01c1a536-84d3-4349-9b9a-45add6a193c1" data-vars-headline="Pharma company AbbVie plots 700-job facility in Durham" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/20/biotech-company-genentech-increases-investment-into-holly-springs" target="_self">Genentech</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Amgen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/12/05/amgen-expands-investment-holly-springs-biotech-campus-1-billion" data-vars-content-id="01c1a536-84d3-4349-9b9a-45add6a193c1" data-vars-headline="Pharma company AbbVie plots 700-job facility in Durham" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/12/05/amgen-expands-investment-holly-springs-biotech-campus-1-billion" target="_self">Amgen</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fujifilm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/24/fujifilm-north-carolina-pharmaceutical-plant-onshore-manufacturing" data-vars-content-id="01c1a536-84d3-4349-9b9a-45add6a193c1" data-vars-headline="Pharma company AbbVie plots 700-job facility in Durham" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/24/fujifilm-north-carolina-pharmaceutical-plant-onshore-manufacturing" target="_self">Fujifilm</a> Diosynth, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Biogen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/07/21/biogen-investment-research-triangle-park-manufacturing-facilities-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="01c1a536-84d3-4349-9b9a-45add6a193c1" data-vars-headline="Pharma company AbbVie plots 700-job facility in Durham" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/07/21/biogen-investment-research-triangle-park-manufacturing-facilities-north-carolina" target="_self">Biogen</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Eli Lilly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/22/axios-live-raleigh-north-carolina-talent-manufacturing-workforce" data-vars-content-id="01c1a536-84d3-4349-9b9a-45add6a193c1" data-vars-headline="Pharma company AbbVie plots 700-job facility in Durham" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/22/axios-live-raleigh-north-carolina-talent-manufacturing-workforce" target="_self">Eli Lilly</a>. </li></ul>

Disney releases new details on its Chatham County neighborhood

The Chatham County neighborhood will have 4,000 housing units

Disney released more details Wednesday about its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="upcoming residential neighborhood" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/12/06/disney-building-neighborhood-pittsboro-asteria-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="cd20307d-626e-4c74-83be-37a8b9fc2d7f" data-vars-headline="Disney releases new details on its Chatham County neighborhood" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/12/06/disney-building-neighborhood-pittsboro-asteria-north-carolina" target="_self">upcoming residential neighborhood</a> project in Chatham County, one of the entertainment company&#x27;s biggest bets on real estate in the country. Why it matters: Disney is joining a wave of developers betting big on Chatham County&#x27;s continuing transformation from a rural buffer on the outskirts of the Triangle into one of the biggest growth spots in the country.

Development 🏗️

Why a Raleigh church is rethinking its parking lot's future

Townhome and condo prices are falling in Raleigh

Raleigh pitches affordable housing and retail for old DMV HQ site

Kane Realty sets its sights on Cary

Fitness studios are taking over the Triangle's downtowns