Amphitheater Relocation and Convention Center Expansion

Red Hat Amphitheater was built in 2010 in a temporary capacity on land that was intended to host the future expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center. We are very excited that the vision to expand the Raleigh Convention Center (RCC) from its current footprint has been realized. We need more space because RCC is considered “full” and at capacity for events.

Now that the expansion project has been funded, we need to relocate the amphitheater.

Economic Driver

Our Downtown is filled with small businesses, like a plant shop, a letter press, a wine shop, a café.

They need people to stop in and shop or eat. The convention center, amphitheater, and auditorium bring thousands of people to downtown. They are vital to the vibrancy, and they generate dollars that help pay for City services.

One Option

The City considered multiple options for the relocation of the amphitheater. In the end, the proposed location that includes permanently closing South Street between Dawson and McDowell is the only option.

Getting Around the Closure

Much of the South Street vehicle traffic will use Lenoir Street (one block north) to get to and from downtown. Even if all the traffic from South Street reroutes to Lenior Street after the closure, traffic studies show Lenoir Street would be at roughly 60 percent capacity for the size of the two-lane road.

The new design for Lenoir Street will include an inviting, curb-less street that will enhance bike and pedestrian movement.

In the current setup, Lenoir Street—which connects downtown to neighborhoods to the west—sees regular temporary closures when shows load in to the amphitheater. The amphitheater’s new design includes a loading zone off Dawson Street at South Street, which will not require closures to any streets and will allow Lenoir to stay open year-round.

More Information

Want to learn more about the Red Hat Amphitheater relocation and the Raleigh Convention Center expansion?

• Red Hat Amphitheater Relocation
• Raleigh Convention Center Expansion