Raleigh area residents have begun submitting feedback to city leaders on the future appearance of the Raleigh Convention Center.

The city held public meetings Thursday so people could see the first set of plans. It included three external design options. It also presented options for the plaza and green space.

On Friday, the Raleigh Convention Center hosted Triangle InfoSecon 2024, a cybersecurity conference. Max Rabinovyc was among those present.

“The images look very futuristic and it seems like it would completely elevate this city,” he said. “It would make it look much more modern.”

The Raleigh Convention Center is set to undergo a $387 million transformation that will add 300,000 square feet. It includes a new building with pedestrian walkways connecting it to the current building.

“We bring people from all over the world,” said Kery Painter, executive director of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex. “So this is an opportunity to set a benchmark and say, ‘This is how we see ourselves,’ and this is what our horizon will look like in the future.”

“It’s exciting.”

Painter said the additional space will improve the visitor experience and allow them to host even more events.

“We’re actually running out of dates,” Painter said. “There are people who want to be here but can’t fit in.

“There are people who pass us and hold on very hard because they know what is coming. And then, there are some that we have just lost. So it’s really necessary.

Earlier this week, the city also released new renderings of the upcoming Omni Park Hotel.

The hotel is expected to have 550 rooms and 55,000 square feet of meeting space, which will accommodate larger events downtown and support growth from the convention center expansion. Raleigh. It will also feature multiple F&B outlets, a rooftop swimming pool, spa and fitness center.

The Omni Park Hotel is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

The expanded Raleigh Convention Center will be located across McDowell Street at the site of the current Red Hat Amphitheater.

The amphitheater will move to 205 W. Lenoir St., one block south of its current location. Red Hat Amphitheater will add 500 to 1,000 seats with its move.

The current location will operate until the end of the 2025 season. The new Red Hat Amphitheater location is expected to open in 2026.

The Raleigh City Council voted Sept. 17 to approve the closure of a block of South Street. The closure will allow for the relocation of the Red Hat Amphitheater and will take place in early 2025.

The expanded Raleigh Convention Center is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.

Elizabeth Moore “I think it will definitely be a big help,” said Elizabeth Moore, who attended Triangle InfoSecon 2024.

Rabinovyc shared Moore’s sentiments regarding the convention center plans.

“It looks brand new, but they’re still updating it, so (that’s) a good thing.” Good for them,” Rabinovyc said.

Raligh leaders and residents said they hope the projects will have a positive impact on a rapidly growing city.

City leaders hope to have chosen the final design for the Raleigh Convention Center by early next year.

Anyone wishing to submit comments can visit the City of Raleigh website.