A  aerial view of the rendering for civic campus that shows three towers near Nash Square Park

Community

Civic Campus

Envisioning the New Civic Tower

Learn how we are evolving our downtown campus! The first phase includes a new multi-story civic tower to consolidate all downtown staff into one building. 

Project Details

 
Type:
City Properties and Facilities
Budget:
$190 million
Project Lead:
Construction Management
Contractors:
RATIO (design); Brasfield & Gorrie (CMAR)

Contact

 

Priscilla Tyree Williams, PE
City Construction Projects Administrator
priscilla.williams@raleighnc.gov
919-996-4147

Lead Department:
Engineering Services

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Planning

The new campus will be located on the Avery C. Upchurch block, 110 S. McDowell Street, the corner of Hargett and McDowell Streets.

The approved master plan for this block will be done in three phases to create a mixed-use block. The first phase will be a 20-story tower located on the southeast corner of the block. This civic tower will consolidate personnel and customer services into one location.

Other features include:

  • Enhanced security; 
  • Larger city council chambers; and, 
  • Efficient office space (housing staff from six downtown buildings). 

The Raleigh Municipal Building and the parking deck will remain on the site with services continuing during construction.

Civic Campus Master Plan

Phase Contacts

 

Elizabeth Nooe
Associate AIA
elizabeth.nooe@raleighnc.gov
919-996-4635

Lead Department:
Budget and Management Services

Design

Design Update

We're working with RATIO and architect Henning Larsen for the design phase. Raleigh City Council approved the conceptual design in October 2020.

We completed the schematic design and are continuing work on the design development phase. 

In 2022, the project estimate indicated that the project exceeded the approved funding. Overruns were attributed to the severe uncertainty and fluctuations in the construction market, the COVID pandemic, unstable and increasing pricing of construction materials, supply chain and manufacturing delays, and fuel pricing. 

To keep the project within budget, we are revising the design. The new design decreases the number of stories from 20 to 17, three floors will not be built out, and there will be changes to the interior architectural features. 

Next Steps

 

We are scheduled to bid the project for construction contracts in the fall.

Phase Contacts

 

Priscilla Tyree Williams, PE
City Construction Projects Administrator
priscilla.williams@raleighnc.gov
919-996-4147

Lead Department:
Engineering Services

Construction

Phase details coming soon.

Phase Contacts

 

Priscilla Tyree Williams, PE
City Construction Projects Administrator
priscilla.williams@raleighnc.gov
919-996-4147

Lead Department:
Engineering Services

Complete

Phase details coming soon. 

Phase Contacts

 

Priscilla Tyree Williams, PE
City Construction Projects Administrator
priscilla.williams@raleighnc.gov
919-996-4147

Lead Department:
Engineering Services

Schedule

Projected timeline for East Civic Tower design, construction, and opening
Date Activity
Fall 2018 Civic Campus Master Plan approved
Spring 2019 Authorized to work with design consultant and construction manager-at-risk
Spring - Late Fall 2019 Design contract negotiations
Fall 2023 Construction bidding
2024-2026 Construction

Goal

We're making a key investment in our facilities so that we continue to provide excellent customer service to residents and offer a collaborative, dynamic workspace for employees. The new campus will focus on security, safety, accessibility, and efficiency.

Artwork in the Tower

Susan Narduli, a Los Angeles-based artist and architect, will be working on the public art at east civic tower. 

This part of the project is through Percent for Art

What is a CMAR?

CMARs coordinate with the general contractor and the design team for a project. Working together early in the process reduces risk with constructing a final design. The CMAR for this project will help carryout design and construction specifications in a timely and cost-effective manner to streamline the construction phase.

We're working with Brasfield & Gorrie in association with Holt Brothers Construction for this project.