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Council authorizes city manager to execute GMP 2 for Raleigh Convention Center relocation and expansion
Summary
Council authorized the city manager to execute Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) 2 for the convention‑center relocation/expansion project to advance site work and major construction packages; one councilor voted no.
Raleigh City Council authorized the city manager to execute Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) 2 for the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex relocation and expansion project, enabling bidding and procurement of larger construction packages aimed at reducing inflationary risk.
Carrie Painter, representing the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex, said GMP 2 will allow the construction manager at risk (CMAR) team to bid larger bundles of work — including earthwork, shoring, concrete and steel — so the project can proceed more economically and avoid pauses from inflation or tariffs. "GMP 2 allows us to bid in a more, economical way by doing greater amounts for the same thing," Painter said.
Painter reminded council the city previously approved GMP 1 for utilities and said utility work has begun. She identified the CMAR partnership selected earlier in 2025 and said GMP 2 covers remaining packages to keep the project on schedule for a 2027 opening of the new amphitheater facilities.
Council discussion touched on how the project intersects with surrounding projects — Heritage Park, Dix‑McDowell study areas, West Street extension and the McDowell‑Dawson slip lane — and the need to coordinate design and funding with state and other partners. Transportation staff later told council the slip lane design had reached about 65 percent and anticipated final plans by year end for NCDOT review.
The council approved delegation of authority to the city manager to execute GMP 2 and to consolidate some administrative funds into a single fund for project accounting. The vote carried with one opposing vote recorded; the nay was cast by a councilor who has previously expressed objection to the South Street relocation aspects of the project.
Staff said they will provide quarterly updates to council on construction progress and on surrounding infrastructure work that could affect project phasing and connectivity.
