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Good afternoon, Raleigh. What did the boy say to his fingers?

I'm counting on you. ✋

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

• 6 fun things to do in Raleigh this weekend

• Raleigh homeowners seeing an increase in taxes

• Carolina Hurricanes are searching for a new General Manager

• An update on Apple’s RTP campus construction

Let’s get to it. 🏃

Stories this week

Carolina Hurricanes General Manager Don Weddell resigns 🏒

The Carolina Hurricanes are making a change at the top after another second-round playoff exit. General Manager Don Waddell, who has led the organization since 2014, has resigned and will take the same position with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Assistant GM Eric Tulsky has been named interim GM as the team searches for Waddell's permanent replacement.

Under Waddell's tenure, the Hurricanes became a perennial playoff team and saw increased attendance and plans for a $300 million arena renovation. However, they failed to advance past the second round during his nine seasons. Waddell may take a role with the Columbus Blue Jackets, while Tulsky oversees operations during the GM search after 10 years with Carolina.

Village District is getting a facelift 🏨

Raleigh's 75-year-old Village District shopping area is seeing big changes. The Oberlin, a 7-story, 153-room hotel part of Hilton's Curio Collection, is under construction on the former K&W Cafeteria site and expected to open next May with a restaurant and rooftop bar overlooking downtown.

Nearby, Camden Property Trust is building a 6-story, 400-unit apartment complex spanning 5 acres, replacing the former Bellwood condos and opening this fall. The Village District, founded in 1949 as Cameron Village, is now owned by Regency Centers which views it as a top-performing asset undergoing revitalization.

Raleigh homeowner tax bills are rising 🏠

Homeowners in the Raleigh metro are facing significant property tax hikes this year, despite proposed rate cuts by Wake County and the City of Raleigh. This is largely due to the 53% increase in residential property values from the recent revaluation, combined with struggles in the commercial real estate market shifting more of the tax burden onto homeowners.

For a median-valued $391,705 home in Raleigh, the combined city and county tax bill is estimated at $3,390 under the new rates - a nearly $300 jump from last year. Across the metro, taxes levied on single-family homes rose 5% in 2023 to $1.3 billion, foreshadowing an upward trend in the property tax burden on homeowners.

New plans emerge on future Apple’s RTP campus 🏢

Nearly three and a half years have passed since Apple unveiled its intentions to build a 3,000-employee campus in Research Triangle Park, but the tech behemoth has remained tight-lipped about the project's progress, offering no public updates since the initial announcement. As Apple meticulously plans its massive East Coast hub in Research Triangle Park, newly filed engineering documents reveal the tech giant's efforts to minimize environmental impacts during construction. The proposed campus layout aims to avoid wetlands, preserve forests, reduce runoff, and employ nature-based stormwater solutions through careful site planning and specialized equipment like cranes.

Though construction has not started, Apple's diligent approach underscores its commitment to an environmentally-conscious $552 million investment promising 3,000 high-paying jobs. While a 2026 timeframe is suggested, Apple could meet state incentive milestones through existing temporary spaces as it thoughtfully advances the long-awaited RTP campus.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

UNC Health Golf Championship | Thursday - Sunday | Raleigh Country Club -

The UNC Health Championship has a new venue at Raleigh Country Club and gives you more exciting ways to watch the Korn Ferry Tour players chase their dream.

Click here for tickets.

COST: Varies by type of ticket

Raleigh’s International Food Festival | Saturday, 11 AM - 8 PM | Raleigh City Plaza - 421 Fayetteville St, Raleigh

Raleigh’s International Food Festival. Over 50 food trucks/dessert trucks from around the globe! Raleigh's largest food festival is celebrating its 8th year. Live performances throughout the day

Click here for more info + schedule for the day.

COST: Free to attend, cost for vendros

Raleigh Foodie Fair | Saturday, 11 AM - 3 PM | Raleigh Iron Works - 2200 Atlantic Ave, Raleigh

Raleigh’s monthly foodie and art market series featuring a food truck rodeo, food vendors, art vendors, drinks, live music, and more.

COST: Free to attend, cost for vendors

Beach Music & Brews Bash | Saturday, 6 - 11 PM | Tap Yard Raleigh - 1610 Automotive Way, Raleigh

Dive into the summer vibes at Tap Yard's Beach Music & Brews Bash.

Their Ultimate Sunset Beach Bash kicks off at 6 pm with prizes, yard games, delicious Summer cocktails, and food from our food truck partners to get the party started. Then, Miss Mini & The Sandman Band takes the stage at 8 pm so you can dance into the night! Don't miss out on their first beach party of the year.

PrairieFest | Saturday, 6:30 - 9 PM | Prairie Ridge Ecostation - 1697 Gold Star Dr, Raleigh

Join in on the prairie-related fun as Prairie Ridge Ecostation celebrates National Prairie Day with its second annual PrairieFest.

Prairie Ridge is proud to host a reconstructed Piedmont prairie. With music provided by local bluegrass band Stump, popsicles for sale by Raleigh Popsicle Company, and activities that let you dive into the intricacies of prairies, from how to weave grasses to what lives and uses these habitats, we’re excited to host you for an evening of prairie fun! Feel free to bring a picnic to enjoy as you listen to the music, or join us just for the other amazing activities. As the evening comes to a close, we’ll end with a firefly program beginning at 8:30 pm, so folks can end the evening watching fireflies over the prairie.

This is a family-friendly event. Please dress for the weather (sun hat, close-toed shoes, and a water bottle recommended) and be prepared to take a walk.

COST: Free to attend, donations welcome

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE FUTURE EVENTS

June 9: Pay-what-you-can food truck rodeo hosted by A Place At The Table taking place at 300 W. Hargett St, Raleigh. Multiple food trucks will be available, and all for a great cause.

June 12: Justin Timberlake is performing at the PNC Arena. Click here to tickets.

June 14: Dave Matthews Band performing at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek. Click here for tickets.

June 26: Red Hot Chili Peppers performing at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek. Click here for tickets.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

79 🌡️ 53 | ☀️ | 0%

Saturday

83 🌡️ 60 | 🌤️ | 0%

Sunday

85 🌡️ 66 | ⛅️ | 0%

LOCAL SPORTS

Baseball ⚾️

The Duke Blue Devils won this year’s ACC baseball tournament. Eight ACC teams made the NCAA Baseball Regionals, including Duke, UNC, and NC State. The regional brackets for the NCAA College World Series begin this weekend.

Click here for the regional schedules and game times.

Durham Bulls 🐂

• Friday: Durham Bulls @ Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp | 7:05 PM

• Saturday: Durham Bulls @ Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp | 6:35 PM

• Sunday: Durham Bulls @ Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp | 3:05 PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Raleigh Rundown today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who loves owls. 🦉 

Have any suggestions for what you would like to see in future editions? Reply to this email and let me know!

Let’s do this again next Thursday!