Raleigh has demolished 25 buildings at Dix Park. 4 more are coming down soon.
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Raleigh will demolish four larger Dix Park buildings next month for $3 million.
- City has razed 25 small structures; 20 more are slated for demolition.
- Demolitions target savings from $10.5M annual building maintenance and add open space.
Raleigh is preparing to demolish four more buildings at Dorothea Dix Park as it continues transforming the former state mental health facility into a 308-acre destination park. The city has already razed 25 buildings on the campus, but the next round marks a significant shift to larger structures, with work beginning next month.
Here are key takeaways:
• What’s coming down: The four buildings — Kirby, Ashby, Adams and Williams — sit between the sunflower fields, cemetery and Big Field on the park’s western portion.
• Cost: The demolition will cost $3 million under a contract with Webb-Harrell Construction Service. Fencing is already up and hazardous material abatement is underway.
• Past demolitions were smaller: The 25 buildings Raleigh has already torn down were mostly smaller structures totaling less than 50,000 square feet.
• Much more work ahead: The city still has 20 buildings totaling 545,000 square feet slated for demolition. Another 20 buildings totaling 500,000 square feet will be stabilized and reused as part of the park.
• Why demolish: Maintaining the buildings cost $10.5 million annually, according to a 2023 city-commissioned report. Demolishing those that can’t be realistically rehabbed adds open space and saves the city money, according to that report.
• Big picture: Raleigh purchased the park from the state 10 years ago for $52 million, inheriting 80 buildings. Major projects planned over the next five years carry estimated costs of $90 million to $120 million.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.
