The Carolina Hurricanes plan to build two three-story parking structures overlooking a new tailgate area and two new buildings, including a concert venue, in the southeast parking lot of Raleigh’s Lenovo Center, according to documents filed with the city.

The smaller north garage would have 733 total spaces and the larger south garage would have 1,062 spaces, according to the preliminary plans. The structures would be 51-feet, 6-inches tall at the highest point.

The plans are called Phase 1A and also include two building pads – one for a 4,300-seat concert venue operated by Live Nation and the other for retail spaces plus restaurants and bars. The Hurricanes released renderings of the area in September, and they included other visuals in a rezoning application to the city.

The Hurricanes hope to break ground on the parking garages in December 2025.

The impacted area is adjacent to Lenovo Center across E. Stephen Stroud Way from NC State’s Carter-Finley Stadium.

“We have the best parking in college football,” NC State athletics director Boo Corrigan said in August. “People love to talk about other places around the country that have these tailgating zones and these great areas. I try to be quick to remind people that’s because they don’t have any parking. It will change. It’s not going to change tomorrow. It’s going to change over time. As it does change, we’re going to be a part of it, of what changes to occur. Where are there revenue opportunities for the athletic department?”

Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon has a lease agreement to develop up to 80 acres around Lenovo Center in four phases over the next two decades.

The Lenovo Center, formerly known as PNC Arena, is home to the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and NC State’s men’s basketball team. Lenovo signed a 10-year contract worth $60 million to be the naming rights sponsor. The arena will host first- and second-round men’s basketball games in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

The city’s zoning process could take months.

“Everybody wants this to happen,” said Philip Isley, chairman of the Centennial Authority, which owns the arena. “It’s a pretty awesome feeling to know how many people are excited about this.”

Separate from the development of the area around the venue, the arena will undergo a $300-million renovation project set to begin in the summer of 2025.

Source: wral.com