By Brian Murphy, WRAL

The first phase of development around what is currently PNC Arena will include an outdoor tailgating area next to a 4,300-seat music venue and two parking garages, according to plans announced by the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday.

Team owner Tom Dundon obtained the rights to develop up to 80 acres around the arena in phases as part of the team’s long-term lease agreement signed in August 2023. The Hurricanes are calling the development the Raleigh Sports & Entertainment District, a nod to the original name of the arena, which opened in 1999.

The arena is also home to the NC State men’s basketball team and is adjacent to Carter-Finley Stadium, home of the Wolfpack’s football team.

Construction for the first phase is scheduled to begin in December 2025 and be completed in time for the 2027 NC State football season. The development is separate from a $300-million renovation project for the arena itself, which is slated to begin in the summer of 2025.

The entire redevelopment project could take four or five years, said Brian Fork, the chief executive officer of Hurricanes Holdings. The parking structures will be the first items built.

But NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson told WRAL that the renderings do not constitute a plan.

“That’s not a development plan,” he said. “We’re anxious to get to understanding what the development plan will be. This is really just about zoning.”

The franchise must get approval from local officials to rezone the land around the arena for the development district and it is expected to seek approval later this month. It could take between six months and a year to get the permits, Fork said.

“We got pretty good ideas on what we want to do,” Fork said. “We’ve talked to the Centennial Authority about that in great detail. We’ve met with NC State quite a bit on what we want it to look like. But until we’ve talked to the city, let the public see it, get the feedback, then we don’t know exactly what we’re going to be building until we get a little bit further along.”

The first phase will have a 600-foot promenade lined with tailgating suites connected to a new parking structure, balconies and new open space for thousands of fans. It will be located next to the music venue, to be operated by Live Nation, and part of a five-acre tailgating area located between PNC Arena and Carter-Finley Stadium.

The tailgaiting space will be between the two parking garages.

“We’re very focused on our fan experience,” said Woodson, who announced he would retire at the end of June.

NC State athletic director Boo Corrigan recently said the Wofpack has the best parking situation in the nation for football, but some of the those spots around PNC Arena and Carter-Finley Stadium will be taken up by the new development.

“It’s not going to change tomorrow. It’s going to change over time,” Corrigan said in August before the football season. “As it does change, we’re going to be a part of it, of what changes do occur. Where are there revenue opportunities for the athletic department?”

The first phase will also include entertainment and lifestyle retail, office space, a 150-room hotel and more than 500 apartments. Entertainment will be closest to the existing arena and stadium, with housing and office uses concentrated closer to Edwards Mill Road along key access points for ease of circulation, Fork said.

Much of what must be included in each phase of redevelopment is spelled out in the agreement between the hockey team and the Centennial Authority. The Hurricanes have access to redevelop 20 acres at a time during each phase of redevelopment.

“This proposed development ensures that our Arena renovations will be enhanced by building this transformational sports and entertainment district to ensure our Arena remains a regional attraction and economic catalyst for many decades to come,” said Philip Isley, the chairman of the Centennial Authority, in a statement.

PNC Bank’s naming rights agreement has ended, and the Centennial Authority — which owns the building — is expected to vote Thursday on a contract for a new naming rights sponsor. The arena has been PNC Arena since 2012.

Source: wralsportsfan.com