Rendering of new Civic Tower.

Community

East Civic Tower

Improving efficiencies for City staff and citizens

We're making a key investment in our facilities so we can 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.

Project Details

 
Type:
City Properties and Facilities
Budget:
$206 million
Project Lead:
Construction Management
Contractors:
RATIO (design); Brasfield & Gorrie/Holt Brothers Construction (CMAR)

Contact

 

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

Have a Question about the Project?
civic.campus@raleighnc.gov

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 17-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 five 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.

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, four floors will not be built out, and there will be changes to the interior architectural features. 

Next Steps

 

The first phase of bidding was held in September 2023 and represented 67 percent of the construction process. The remainder of the project will be bid in December 2023.

Phase Contacts

 

Priscilla Tyree Williams, PE

City Construction Projects Administrator

priscilla.williams@raleighnc.gov

919-996-4147

Lead Department:
Engineering Services

Construction

On October 3, 2023, City Council unanimously approved the construction price of 181,500,00. The contract is executed, and construction activity is underway.

The first phase of construction is the deconstruction of the old building. Building demolition is dirty and loud work. To help mitigate the dust, water is misted on the job site, and the claw that removes and smashes the building will also spray water. However, even with these precautions, there will be an excess of dust, and the area around RMB will be dusty, including the parking deck. 

RMB will remain open during the demolition process, and the City is working on ways to help maintain easy access into and out of the building. There will be a protected walkway between the side exit doors of RMB and Hargett Street in early January for people to safely exit the building at that location. The main entrance of RMB will not be affected by construction activity.  The team is also investigating other things we can do to help make visiting and working at RMB a pleasant experience during the demolition and construction of the new East Civic Tower.  

We thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this messy but exciting process. 

Stay Informed, Visit Our Civic Tower Update Project Page

Throughout the construction process, visit our Civic Tower Project Update page to stay up to date in the latest construction activity. 

 

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. 

Next Steps

 

Construction is anticipated in 2026 

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
Rendering of new Civic Tower shown from Nash Park

A rendering of what the new East Civic Tower will look like. 

Project History

In April 2015, City Council adopted the City's first strategic plan. One of the objectives of that plan was to align facilities, staff and technology with organizational needs and plan a centralized civic campus that provides easy access to City staff and the the citizens of Raleigh.  

In May 2016, City Council authorized a Master Plan Study for a consolidated Civic Campus, and in the fall of 2018 a Civic Campus Master Plan was approved.    

In 2019 the City signed a design contract with Ratio and Henning Larsen, and in the fall of 2020 a conceptual plan was authorized for the East Civic Tower. 

Due to rising construction costs the development estimate was substantially higher than the original budget. In March of 2023, City staff presented some scope reductions to help mitigate the project costs. 

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.