TOGETHER WITH

Good afternoon, Raleigh. Why were the utensils stuck together?

They were spooning. 🥄

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

Let’s get to it. 🏃‍♂️

🎄 Christmas at the City
📍 Pine Hollow Middle School — 5365 Bartram Place, Raleigh
🗓 Tue, Dec 23 • 6:00 pm
🎟 Free admission

Hosted by New City Church

Celebrate Christmas with candlelight, carols, and community. Join us for a festive evening with live Christmas music, hot chocolate and treats, a candlelight moment, and a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the whole family. No RSVP needed. Bring a friend and enjoy a beautiful Christmas experience together.

For more info 👉 newcityrdu.com/christmas

With new attractions drawing more visitors to Dix Park, a new food and beverage destination is on the way. Cottage Coffee and Park Bar will open in the historic Flowers Cottage on the northwest side of the park, operated by local restaurateurs Justin Pasfield and Jeff Clarke.

The venue will feature coffee, grab-and-go food, baked goods, soft-serve ice cream, and picnic options, along with craft beer, wine, and nonalcoholic beverages. A large outdoor deck will overlook Flowers Field, while Park Bar will serve drinks below deck. The project is designed to create a central place for visitors to rest, recharge, and enjoy views of the park and Raleigh skyline.

A longtime Downtown Raleigh law firm is making its mark high above Fayetteville Street. Smith Anderson is installing signage atop the 30-story 150 Fayetteville building, formerly known as the Wells Fargo Capitol Center. The firm recently expanded into the building’s top two floors, bringing its total footprint there to 112,000 square feet and securing signage rights as part of a renewed lease.

The illuminated signage will face Salisbury and Hargett streets, with the first sign expected to be installed soon and a lighting ceremony planned for Dec. 17. The move reflects Smith Anderson’s continued growth and long-term commitment to Downtown Raleigh as the city continues to expand.

Plans for a large outdoor entertainment destination near Lake Crabtree are moving into a new phase. The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority is partnering with Pacific Elm Properties, a real estate firm tied to Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon, to redevelop more than 130 acres near I-40 and Aviation Parkway. After multiple public workshops, officials say the next step is drafting a term sheet, a process expected to take four to six months before formal lease and development agreements are considered.

Early concepts emphasize outdoor recreation like mountain biking, boardwalks, and potential whitewater features, while ideas such as strip-mall retail and sports complexes have been dropped. The project remains controversial, with some residents pushing to preserve the land as park space, while airport officials say federal rules require them to pursue higher-value uses for the property.

A large property connecting North Hills and The Exchange Raleigh may soon be headed for redevelopment. The 28-acre Midline Raleigh site off Navaho Drive was recently taken off the market, and Kane Realty has submitted a subdivision plan to the city, signaling potential plans to acquire and develop the property.

The preliminary plan proposes demolishing existing apartments and office buildings to make way for a multi-phase mixed-use development. Zoning allows for a substantial project, including thousands of residential units, office and retail space, and a hotel, along with public amenities like bike share stations, art installations, and outdoor gathering areas. If approved, the project could significantly expand the North Hills footprint and further reshape this fast-growing part of Raleigh.

After drawing long lines for its North Carolina debut in Morrisville, Dutch Bros is already planning another Triangle location, this time in east Raleigh. The fast-growing coffee chain has filed plans to open a shop near New Bern Avenue as part of the Edgewater Commons development, which will include apartments, townhomes, and retail.

The proposed Dutch Bros site would sit on a 2.22-acre parcel near an Aldi grocery store and would take one of three planned retail pads. An opening date has not been announced, but the move signals continued expansion in the region. While some coffee chains have pulled back locally, Dutch Bros appears poised to keep growing across the Triangle.

Raleigh skyline looking northeast down South McDowell Street. 1990.

Friday

61 🌡️ 30 | 🌤️ | 20%

Saturday

54 🌡️ 368 | ☀️ | 0%

Sunday

62 🌡️ 31 | 🌤️ | 0%

P.S. Ok but can you cook for a 6 year old…

Get in front of +1,000 Raleigh locals.

⚡️ Click here for sponsorship information and availability 📺