Durham County rezoning signals big step for RTP 3.0

DURHAM COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- The bold reimagining of Research Triangle Park is one step closer to becoming reality.

Durham County Commissioners recently approved a rezoning that will allow land at RTP historically zoned exclusively for research and development for mixed-use and residential. It's a major step in RTP's goal to transform the area from clusters of office buildings and sprawling corporate campuses to a denser community with more restaurants, shopping and entertainment.

"It's about attracting and retaining talent," said Scott Levitan, president and CEO of the Research Triangle Foundation.

For Levitan, RTP 3.0 boils down to improving livability for the park's employees with an eye towards more density and more options.

"To attract talent, we also need to consider residential uses, recreational uses, retail uses like what we're doing here at Hub. Because talent wants that," he said in a sit-down with ABC11 on Tuesday.

The big challenge is preserving RTP's identity as a gold standard for research and development while recasting it with more mixed-use space that keeps it competitive in an increasingly hybrid work world. Levitan says it's a tricky balance, but it's necessary to move forward from the park's mid-century origins.

"Maybe you worked downtown, you lived in the suburbs, you recreated, you know, wherever. That's still valid, but it is not the overwhelming sort of way we live," he said.

Businesses at Hub RTP, which Levitan has called a model for the park's future growth, say they're buying into the broader vision.

"We're a long-term value minded organization. We want to open in places where people want to spend their time," said Michael Powell, owner of Drift Coffee.

Drift just opened a new location of their popular coffee shop at Hub RTP three weeks ago, telling ABC11 that the park's growth model made sense from a business perspective.

"To see it change, and to become a place where people not only spend their time working but also live, dine and play and get outdoors. That's an amazing opportunity and we're so fortunate to have that relationship and a location there to support all of that," Powell said.

Wake County Commissioners approved a similar rezoning in June, but since about 80% of RTP is within Durham County, the vote in Durham -- which passed unanimously last week -- was a major step in moving RTP 3.0 forward. Under that rezoning, corporations within RTP can redevelop their land with fewer restrictions, which will allow them to provide new offerings to employees long-term.

"We're looking for something that's dense that has services and amenities within walkable distance of your residence. Hopefully over time will be able to demonstrate in demand to build schools and educational facilities and health facilities in RTP, because we have the density to be able to support that," Levitan said.