What will Raleigh build at the former DMV headquarters? City leaders have big ideas.
As part of a dream redevelopment, Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin imagines a daycare where state DMV offices now stand.
“If you could have an affordable [apartment] unit, and if you could walk your child to a daycare center, if you could then get on a bus rapid transit [route] to go to work, how much better would your life be?” Baldwin said to The News & Observer in an interview Tuesday. “This is really our chance to improve people’s lives and give them new opportunities.”
Raleigh officially bought the former N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles headquarters on New Bern Avenue for $20 million Tuesday afternoon, after the state approved the sale June 6.
In 2019, the state announced it would move the headquarters to Rocky Mount after 60 years at 1100 New Bern Ave. The nearly 6-acre site includes a nearly 160,000 square foot building, a 41,000 square foot annex and two parking lots.
City leaders also agreed to spend $3 million to raze the buildings and remediate the site and $340,000 for security, community engagement and other uses. The city’s federal allotment of American Rescue Plan Act funds will cover the costs.
What is happening now and next?
Work along New Bern Avenue has begun: Construction is already underway along the New Bern corridor for the first of four bus rapid transit routes. The city wants affordable housing along its transit routes, so affordable housing will be part of whatever replaces the DMV headquarters, Baldwin said.
“I kind of look at this as our opportunity to really put a shining light on what redevelopment can look like, and how it can be accessible to all,” she said.
DMV move cost the city hundreds of jobs: The DMV headquarters had 400 employees and the loss of jobs was significant, said Council member Corey Branch, who represents this portion of the city.
“This is a great opportunity to for us to find a balance in our housing challenges and (to create) jobs,” he said.
Branch wants to see a mix of housing and economic development at the spot, but he also wonders if the Richard B. Harrison Community Library could be moved there and expanded.
Hearing from those who live there: Both Baldwin and Branch said the most important thing will be finding out what local residents want.
Raleigh will form a working group of people with “strong connections” to the New Bern area, especially second- or third-generation Raleigh natives.
“All members should have personal experience or strong knowledge of the needs of Raleigh’s Black/African American community,” according to information provided by the city.
Applications for that group will likely open in February.
In the meantime, the city could look for ways to “activate” the site with possible vendor markets and public art installations, said Tiesha Mosley, the city’s community engagement manager.
“I think the engagement strategy and framework is good,” said Mayor Pro Tem Jonathan Melton. “I am ready to support it. I will say, though, that I hope that we are ready to move on the feedback quickly. This particular site is very important. I think it’ll send a very strong message if we can get the type of housing and support services and retail that we know we need there.”
This story was originally published January 3, 2024 at 8:21 AM.
