North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell used her state of the city address to highlight ongoing construction and infrastructure projects as the fast-growing city prepares to accommodate significant population increases.
In her second annual address, Cowell said Raleigh has surpassed 500,000 residents and is projected to add another 250,000 people by 2050, driving continued demand for housing and infrastructure.
“Raleigh has grown continuously every year since it was founded and reached 500,000 since our last State of the City,” she said. “We have done a lot of building and will continue to accommodate this growth.”
The mayor pointed to a range of active and planned construction projects, including new affordable housing developments, a new city hall, and expansion of the city’s Bus Rapid Transit system. She also highlighted plans for Smoky Hollow Park, a new public space north of downtown, as part of broader efforts to expand community infrastructure alongside residential growth.
Investment in core services is also a priority, with Cowell emphasizing ongoing upgrades to water and sewer systems. The city is installing and replacing stormwater infrastructure across multiple areas to better manage rainfall and reduce flooding risks.
“All the water that is coming when it rains needs a place to go,” Cowell said, describing the work as part of a broader “sponge city” approach that mimics natural systems to improve stormwater management while controlling costs.
Beyond major builds, Cowell said maintaining quality-of-life infrastructure — including parks, greenways and public spaces — remains central to the city’s growth strategy.
“While a high-growth city has to focus on housing and infrastructure, it can’t lose sight of the people,” she said.
Cowell also briefly highlighted public safety progress under Rico Boyce, noting declines in both property and violent crime over the past year.
The address underscored the scale of construction activity required to support Raleigh’s growth, with city-led projects and infrastructure upgrades expected to remain a key focus in the coming years.