Vote could change city landscape in downtown Raleigh

A Raleigh planning committee on Tuesday recommended in favor of rezoning to support a proposed tower downtown, part of a three-phase project for redevelopment on Peace Street near West Street.

Posted 9:02 a.m. Jun 18, 2019 — Updated 9:01 p.m. Jun 18, 2019

Emmy Victor

, WRAL reporter

RALEIGH, N.C. — A Raleigh planning committee on Tuesday recommended in favor of rezoning to support a proposed tower downtown, part of a three-phase project for redevelopment on Peace Street near West Street.

The first phase of the project, an apartment building with 400 homes, is already under construction. The building will also be home to downtown Raleigh's first grocery store – a Publix.

Publix opening store near downtown Raleigh

Two other phases of the project could bring an office tower, public park and more homes to downtown. Before the rest of the project could be finalized, concerns were raised about the lack of affordable housing units in the plans.

The next step in this process is a public hearing scheduled for July 2.

Kane Realty, the project developer, indicated plans to make a $1 million donation toward affordable housing if zoning requests for the tower are approved, but the developer didn't immediately return a request when WRAL reached out for comment.

WRAL received reports that Kane is also working on another project -- a sports complex south of downtown. More details about that will be revealed next week during a scheduled press conference with the North Carolina Football Club.