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Raleigh leaders address scrutiny over downtown death

The death of a Black man prompted questions amid the South's history of racist lynchings.

News

Raleigh leaders held a press conference Monday to address skepticism that police too quickly labeled a weekend death downtown a suicide.Driving the news: Saturday afternoon, a 32-year-old man&#x27;s body was found in a parking lot behind businesses across from Nash Square, according to police.

UNC Health rebrands startup investment arm, adds $125M

Founded as Rex Health Ventures, UNC Health's investment arm has invested in 30 companies.

Business

UNC Health is rebranding its investment arm and giving it $125 million in additional capital to put money into more health care startups. Why it matters: The move will give the health care system around $125 million to invest in startups over the next decade, according to Anita Watkins, who leads UNC Health&#x27;s venture capital efforts.

UNC displays 500-year-old copy of "The Odyssey"

The rare 1517 edition offers a centuries-old connection to this summer's blockbuster moment.

Things to Do

UNC-Chapel Hill is in possession of a very old, Renaissance-era copy of &quot;The Odyssey,&quot; and the book is now on display in a campus library. Why it matters: The ancient story&#x27;s turn as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="summer blockbuster" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/17/odyssey-imax-christopher-nolan" data-vars-content-id="d06fe4f9-c27e-43e6-a54a-30584573e1f5" data-vars-headline="UNC displays 500-year-old copy of &quot;The Odyssey&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/17/odyssey-imax-christopher-nolan" target="_self">summer blockbuster</a> has brought it back to the forefront of global culture, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly 3,000 years after" data-vars-click-url="https://www.history.com/articles/phrases-odyssey-homer" data-vars-content-id="d06fe4f9-c27e-43e6-a54a-30584573e1f5" data-vars-headline="UNC displays 500-year-old copy of &quot;The Odyssey&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.history.com/articles/phrases-odyssey-homer" target="_blank">nearly 3,000 years after</a> its debut.

A historic cottage in Dix Park will become a bar and cafe this week

Flowers Cottage will offer coffee, snacks and alcoholic beverages for park goers.

Food and Drink

Dix Park&#x27;s newest amenity — a cottage that features a bar and a cafe — will open to the public this week. Why it matters: The historic Flowers Cottage renovation gives Raleigh residents a new place to gather, eat and drink near the park&#x27;s sunflower field and downtown skyline views.

New Raleigh tennis complex will have French red clay courts

Swing Racquet + Paddle will become an exclusive partner with Roland-Garros in the U.S.

Sports

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Swing Racquet + Paddle" data-vars-click-url="https://swingnc.com/" data-vars-content-id="49a16b70-92e8-46df-9963-677c57a3c5d9" data-vars-headline="New Raleigh tennis complex will have French red clay courts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://swingnc.com/" target="_blank">Swing Racquet + Paddle</a>, a massive racquet sports complex being built near Brier Creek in Raleigh, plans to feature something rare in North American sports: red clay tennis courts. Why it matters: Swing said Tuesday it will partner with Roland-Garros, also known as the French Open, to import true European red clay courts to the Raleigh complex when it opens in 2028. <ul><li>Red clay courts are very hard to find in the U.S. and offer a much different experience than the typical asphalt or concrete courts, according to Swing&#x27;s founder Rob Autry.</li></ul>

Downtown Durham could add even more apartments near Geer Street

The developers of the Geerhouse building have filed plans for a second phase of construction.

Development

The owner of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Geerhouse apartment building" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/24/boutique-bodega-expands" data-vars-content-id="bf732269-6fb4-4999-bd1e-e5bbf33cb7bf" data-vars-headline="Downtown Durham could add even more apartments near Geer Street" 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/boutique-bodega-expands" target="_self">Geerhouse apartment building</a> has filed plans for an expansion of that development in downtown Durham. Why it matters: Downtown Durham&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Central Park district" data-vars-click-url="https://www.discoverdurham.com/district-guides/downtown-durham-district-guide/" data-vars-content-id="bf732269-6fb4-4999-bd1e-e5bbf33cb7bf" data-vars-headline="Downtown Durham could add even more apartments near Geer Street" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.discoverdurham.com/district-guides/downtown-durham-district-guide/" target="_blank">Central Park district</a> has been one of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hottest spots for apartment construction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/07/19/biggest-durham-downtown-apartment-construction-projects" data-vars-content-id="bf732269-6fb4-4999-bd1e-e5bbf33cb7bf" data-vars-headline="Downtown Durham could add even more apartments near Geer Street" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/07/19/biggest-durham-downtown-apartment-construction-projects" target="_self">hottest spots for apartment construction</a> in the Triangle since 2020, transforming significantly from a collection of small shops, restaurants and bars into an area with more than a thousand apartments.

Affordable housing could finally come to former Durham Police HQ property

The property has seen several deals fall through in the past eight years.

The former Durham Police headquarters property could finally be in line for affordable housing under a new plan the Durham City Council is considering. Why it matters: For eight years, the Durham City Council has tried to find a long-term solution for the 4-acre land it owns at 505 W. Chapel Hill St., which has fallen into disrepair after the Durham Police vacated it in 2019. <ul><li>It has seen <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two deals with developers fall through" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/06/02/durham-police-hq-redevelopment-peebles-affordable-housing" data-vars-content-id="6fb4d9cf-25c0-425f-99d7-2057587b16f7" data-vars-headline="Affordable housing could finally come to former Durham Police HQ property" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/06/02/durham-police-hq-redevelopment-peebles-affordable-housing" target="_self">two deals with developers fall through</a> that would have added housing and preserved the historic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Milton Small building" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncmodernist.org/hsl.htm" data-vars-content-id="6fb4d9cf-25c0-425f-99d7-2057587b16f7" data-vars-headline="Affordable housing could finally come to former Durham Police HQ property" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncmodernist.org/hsl.htm" target="_blank">Milton Small building</a> that was home to the Durham Police for decades. </li></ul>

CAM Raleigh's downtown building being put up for sale

CAM Raleigh, which has been at the location since 2010, is considering what future operations look like.

A prominent piece of property in downtown Raleigh&#x27;s Warehouse District is going up for sale. Why it matters: The Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh — commonly known as CAM Raleigh — is selling its museum building while the organization determines its path forward in the city.

Highwoods Properties files plans for new office building in downtown Raleigh

The office market has been slow to recover since the pandemic.

Highwoods Properties, Raleigh&#x27;s largest office landlord, has filed plans with the city for a 13-story office building in downtown. Why it matters: The Raleigh office market has been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in flux for years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/04/14/north-carolina-raleigh-office-market-shows-signs-of-life" data-vars-content-id="a96b3996-8c2a-4529-a62d-04ba8df9e3d1" data-vars-headline="Highwoods Properties files plans for new office building in downtown Raleigh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/04/14/north-carolina-raleigh-office-market-shows-signs-of-life" target="_self">in flux for years</a> coming out of the pandemic, as remote work led to many prominent firms decreasing the amount of space they used. <ul><li>Not counting new government buildings from the city of Raleigh and the state government, this could be the first new office building built in downtown since 400H in 2021. </li></ul>

Quantifying a sports-heavy summer for downtown Raleigh

Downtown Raleigh visitations grew up 5.4% in the second quarter of the year.

Sports have given downtown Raleigh&#x27;s economy a welcome boost so far this summer. Why it matters: At a time when many Raleighites flee to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the coast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/05/24/best-beaches-north-carolina-guide-travel-tourism" data-vars-content-id="a899eb25-dda9-48d1-b059-f905f0a2dee7" data-vars-headline="Quantifying a sports-heavy summer for downtown Raleigh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/05/24/best-beaches-north-carolina-guide-travel-tourism" target="_self">the coast</a> or to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the mountains" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/19/bracket-competition-north-carolinas-best-mountain-town" data-vars-content-id="a899eb25-dda9-48d1-b059-f905f0a2dee7" data-vars-headline="Quantifying a sports-heavy summer for downtown Raleigh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/19/bracket-competition-north-carolinas-best-mountain-town" target="_self">the mountains</a>, downtown Raleigh visitation grew 5.4% in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year. <ul><li>That surge was even stronger in the Glenwood South neighborhood, which saw a year-over-year increase in foot traffic of 20.1% in June — around the time when the Hurricanes were on their way to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="winning the Stanley Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/15/carolina-hurricanes-win-stanley-cup" data-vars-content-id="a899eb25-dda9-48d1-b059-f905f0a2dee7" data-vars-headline="Quantifying a sports-heavy summer for downtown Raleigh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/15/carolina-hurricanes-win-stanley-cup" target="_self">winning the Stanley Cup</a>. </li></ul>

The area around Dix Park continues to see apartment surge

The area has seen a huge uptick in investment since Dix Park broke ground.

The area between downtown Raleigh and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dix Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/06/dix-park-big-year-play-plaza-record-attendance-trolls" data-vars-content-id="e8cf355b-150b-4b5d-a1c0-a3f0f3ea8b0f" data-vars-headline="The area around Dix Park continues to see apartment surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/06/dix-park-big-year-play-plaza-record-attendance-trolls" target="_self">Dix Park</a> continues to add apartments at a fast clip. Why it matters: The area, sometimes referred to as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="West End" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/08/02/raleigh-west-end-neighborhood-development-kane-apartments-retail" data-vars-content-id="e8cf355b-150b-4b5d-a1c0-a3f0f3ea8b0f" data-vars-headline="The area around Dix Park continues to see apartment surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/08/02/raleigh-west-end-neighborhood-development-kane-apartments-retail" target="_self">West End</a> at the edge of Boylan Heights, is one of the most rapidly changing corners of downtown and is being boosted by its close proximity to the park.

North Carolina picks new Opportunity Zones that could attract billions

The state hopes to be more strategic in the tracts it selects for Opportunity Zones

This month, North Carolina&#x27;s Department of Commerce will nominate 202 census tracts across the state to be considered as &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Opportunity Zones" data-vars-click-url="https://www.commerce.nc.gov/data-tools-reports/opportunity-zones-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="5909adad-61c4-4186-bbf2-99b2f23c5ea4" data-vars-headline="North Carolina picks new Opportunity Zones that could attract billions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.commerce.nc.gov/data-tools-reports/opportunity-zones-north-carolina" target="_blank">Opportunity Zones</a>.&quot;Why it matters: The decision — which would grant those tracts significant tax benefits — could have large ramifications for those communities and potentially attract hundreds of millions of dollars in real estate investments.

The RTP 3.0 era officially begins

RTP 3.0 are an ambitious set of land reforms that could bring a mixed-use future to the business park.

A new era is officially underway in <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="46dc624c-56d1-464b-8fc9-73a8726be7fb" data-vars-headline="The RTP 3.0 era officially begins" 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> after the companies and landowners based in the 7,000-acre campus gave the final approval to its RTP 3.0 land rules. Why it matters: The land-use changes, which had already been approved by Wake and Durham counties, could significantly change the built environment of the Triangle&#x27;s most influential economic engine of the past six decades. <ul><li>Nearly 400 companies are based in RTP, ranging from behemoths like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="IBM" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/10/21/ibm-campus-future-research-triangle-park-moving-employees" data-vars-content-id="46dc624c-56d1-464b-8fc9-73a8726be7fb" data-vars-headline="The RTP 3.0 era officially begins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/10/21/ibm-campus-future-research-triangle-park-moving-employees" target="_self">IBM</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lenovo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/22/lenovos-next-20-years-in-the-triangle-is-all-about-ai" data-vars-content-id="46dc624c-56d1-464b-8fc9-73a8726be7fb" data-vars-headline="The RTP 3.0 era officially begins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/22/lenovos-next-20-years-in-the-triangle-is-all-about-ai" target="_self">Lenovo</a> and <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="46dc624c-56d1-464b-8fc9-73a8726be7fb" data-vars-headline="The RTP 3.0 era officially begins" 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> to hundreds of startups. </li></ul>

The Triangle's luxury condo market heats up

A record number of condos in the Triangle are selling for more than $1 million.

A record number of condos in the Triangle are selling for more than $1 million. Why it matters: Luxury condos are one of the most visible signs of the changing nature of the region, whose population is soaring and becoming wealthier.

Development 🏗️

New Raleigh tennis complex will have French red clay courts

Downtown Durham could add even more apartments near Geer Street

Affordable housing could finally come to former Durham Police HQ property

CAM Raleigh's downtown building being put up for sale

Highwoods Properties files plans for new office building in downtown Raleigh