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Good afternoon, Raleigh. What did one eye say to the other? 👀

Between you and me, something smells. 👃

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

• 7 fun things to do in Raleigh this weekend + live local music

• Complete street coming to Lake Wheeler Road

• New steakhouse coming to Brier Creek

• NC State makes a coaching change

Let’s get to it. 🏃‍♂️

STORIES THIS WEEK

“Complete street” come to Lake Wheeler Road 🚧

Lake Wheeler Road, a key corridor into Downtown Raleigh, is getting a $22 million makeover to transform it into a two-lane “complete street” with roundabouts, sidewalks, and bike paths connecting to Dix Park. The Raleigh City Council approved a $21.8 million contract with Rifenburg North Carolina for the first phase of the project, which has been scaled back from 6,400 feet to 5,500 feet due to rising construction costs.

Work will begin this summer, focusing on the stretch from South Saunders Street to just north of Maywood Avenue, and is expected to take about two years. The project includes pedestrian and bike-friendly features, storm drainage, and future sidewalk improvements along the remaining portions of the corridor. Funded in part by Raleigh’s 2022 Park Bond, the improvements aim to make the area safer and more accessible for all types of transportation.

Massive sale price for North Hills Tower 🏙️

The Advance Auto Parts Tower in North Hills has been sold for $138 million to Raleigh-based Highwoods Properties. The 20-story, 346,000-square-foot building is fully leased, with Advance Auto Parts as the anchor tenant, and is expected to generate over $11 million in net operating income in its first year. Highwoods funded the purchase with proceeds from the recent $145 million sale of an office campus in Tampa.

The building was previously owned by Lionstone Investments, who developed it alongside Kane Realty, and sits next to The Eastern, a luxury high-rise. This deal is a significant boost for the Triangle’s office market, which has faced high vacancy rates, and follows another major sale in North Hills—Midtown Plaza—for nearly $133 million last year.

New steakhouse opening in Brier Creek 🥩

Epic Chophouse is set to open its newest location in Raleigh’s Brier Creek Commons on April 2, taking over the former Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse space. The 8,000-square-foot restaurant will seat 265 guests, including a private dining room, and features a menu with steaks, seafood, pasta, and an extensive wine and cocktail selection.

After two years of planning and $6.5 million in renovations, the restaurant now boasts a trendy, speakeasy-inspired design, with partners aiming to offer high-quality food, service, and value. This will be Epic’s fourth location, with additional expansion plans in Raleigh, Western North Carolina, and beyond. The new spot joins a growing list of steakhouses in the Triangle, as Raleigh’s dining scene continues to expand.

NC State fires Kevin Keatts and hires Will Wade 🏀

NC State has fired men’s basketball coach Kevin Keatts following a disappointing 12-19 season, just one year after the Wolfpack’s surprising run to the Final Four. Keatts spent eight seasons with NC State, finishing with an overall record of 151-113 and leading the program to three NCAA tournament appearances.

The university began a national search for its next head coach, with McNeese State’s Will Wade emerging as a top candidate. Wade, who previously coached at VCU and LSU, has built a reputation for turning programs around and has accepted the head coaching job at NC State. He will join the Wolfpack after McNeese State’s tournament run ends.

Raleigh’s population continues to grow 📈

Raleigh’s population growth continues to surge, with the Raleigh-Cary metro area expanding by 2.6% between 2023 and 2024, bringing its population to over 1.56 million. Since 2020, the region has grown by more than 10%, fueled by in-migration from college graduates, young professionals, families, and retirees, along with a steady influx of businesses.

The Triangle is now considered one of the country’s top economic powerhouses, attracting companies big and small. Nearby, the Durham-Chapel Hill metro grew by 6.6% over the past four years, while Charlotte jumped more than 8% to nearly 2.9 million residents. Although Raleigh didn’t make the top 10 fastest-growing metros for 2023-24, its growth remains strong, with regions like Ocala, Florida, leading the national rankings.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

LIVE LOCAL MUSIC THIS WEEKEND

🎶 Raleigh Live Music – Friday, March 21

• Riki, Donzi, Dolores Galore @ Kings
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Warehouse District
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Just Us Duo @ Bedford Food & Drink
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Falls River Bedford
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Horizon Event Trio @ Bowstring Pizza & Brewyard
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Iron Works
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Deep 6 @ Saints & Scholars Pub
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Spring Forest
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Jazz w/ Steve Hobbs, Ben Palmer, Austin Todd Proctor @ Take The Lead Ballroom
  Neighborhood: Raleigh NE @ Old Crews / Buffalo
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Gatsby’s Unplugged - Open Mic @ Gatsby’s Bar
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Millbrook
  Time: 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM

• Cosmic Charlie @ Lincoln Theatre
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Downtown
  Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

• 13irthmark @ The Night Rider
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Warehouse District
  Time: 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM

🎶 Raleigh Live Music – Saturday, March 22

• Radio Revolver @ Back Then Bar & Grill
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Atlantic & Millbrook
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Lady Gaga Doppelgänger @ The Pour House Music Hall
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ City Market
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Elliott Vredenburg @ The Piper’s Restaurant & Tavern
  Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Duraleigh
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Gatsby’s Unplugged Open Mic @ Gatsby’s Bar
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Millbrook
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Ashley Robinson @ The Big Easy
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Fayetteville St
  Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

• William & Adam @ Beercade Beer Company
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Falls of Neuse
  Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

• DJ Party @ The Backyard Bar
  Neighborhood: Raleigh W @ US64 / Action
  Time: 10:00 PM - 1:00 AM

RETRO PIC OF THE WEEK

800 block of Downtown Boulevard (present-day Capital Boulevard) looking south. December, 1986.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

63 🌡️ 43 | ☀️ | 0%

Saturday

73 🌡️ 43 | 🌤️ | 0%

Sunday

73 🌡️ 54 | 🌤️ | 0%

LOCAL SPORTS

Hockey 🏒

• Thursday: Carolina Hurricanes @ San Jose Sharks | 10:30 PM

• Saturday: Carolina Hurricanes at Los Angeles Kings | 4 PM

• Saturday: Carolina Hurricanes @ Anaheim Ducks | 8 PM

Men’s College Basketball 🏀

Duke and UNC are both in this year’s NCAA tournament field.

Click here for an up-to-date tournament bracket, scores, and game times.

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Raleigh Rundown today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who likes to pies. 🥧

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!