Former DMV Headquarters
| |
| Site area | 5.88 acres |
|---|---|
| Building size | Approximately 110,000 sq ft |
| Year built | 1970 |
| Year acquired by City | 2024 |
| Project page | City of Raleigh |
The Former DMV Headquarters is a redevelopment effort led by the City of Raleigh to repurpose the former North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles headquarters site.
Redevelopment
[edit | edit source]Community engagement
[edit | edit source]Community engagement began in August 2024, a month after the City closed on the property. City staffed convened a Project Working Group of 12 community members to provide input on engagement strategies.[1]
A report published by the City on the community engagement process identified six high priorities uses on the site:[1]
- Affordable Housing - Housing options for 30-60% Area Median Income
- Retail - Space for local, small businesses that reflect the historic New Bern Avenue corridor community
- Community space - Multipurpose indoor space with variety and flexibility in room size and state of the art technology
- Food Incubator & Co-op Space - Space that provides fresh, healthy, and affordable food access
- Cultural Recognition - Cultural destination reflective of the historic community
- Universal site design - Design that's accessible to all
Construction
[edit | edit source]On May 20, 2025, Raleigh City Council approved a $1.9 million contract to 4 Seasons Demolition, Inc. for demolition and asbestos abatement services at the site.[2]
On June 23, 2025, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a third-party market analysis, to determine the feasibility of both market-rate and affordable units on the site.[3]
History
[edit | edit source]The 2017 state budget directed the Division of Motor Vehicles to vacate the New Bern Avenue facility and lease office space elsewhere in Wake County or the surrounding counties. Section 34.24 of Senate Bill 99, enacted as part of the 2017 budget, required the DMV headquarters to be vacated by October 1, 2020.[4] On March 5, 2019, the North Carolina Council of State voted to move the DMV headquarters to Rocky Mount, clearing the way for eventual disposition of the Raleigh property.[5]
On June 6, 2023, the North Carolina Council of State formally approved the sale of the former DMV headquarters property . The approval appeared on the Council of State agenda and authorized conveyance of the property at 1100 New Bern Avenue for $20 million, to be sold “as is.”[6]
Prior to the City’s purchase, the potential acquisition of the former DMV site had already been incorporated into Raleigh’s long-range planning framework through the New Bern Station Area Plan. That plan identified the former DMV property as a redevelopment opportunity tied to future transit investment along New Berne Avenue. The New Bern Station Area Plan was incorporated into the Raleigh Comprehensive Plan through a formal amendment approved by the Raleigh City Council on January 30, 2024.[7]
On January 2, 2024, the Raleigh City Council approved the acquisition of the former DMV headquarters property and authorized related budget actions. The agreement outlined a $20 million purchase price, sale of the property on an “as-is” basis, an inspection period of up to 240 days, provision of site condition documents by the State within 30 days of contract execution, and a closing date prior to fall 2024. Council also authorized the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds for the acquisition, including $20 million for the purchase, $3 million for remediation and demolition based on environmental and facility assessments, and $340,000 for site stabilization, community engagement, and interim activation. The Council accepted a proposed community engagement plan, including development of a project leader group and a project advisory group. The purchase was approved by an 8–0 vote of the Council.[8][9][10]
Following the Council of State approval and completion of required review periods, the City of Raleigh completed its purchase of the former DMV headquarters property on June 24, 2024, acquiring the site from the State of North Carolina for $20 million.[11]
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Redevelopment of the Former DMV Site Project: Community Engagement Report" (link). City of RaleighCommunity Engagement Department. ReportJune 2025 Accessed January 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Raleigh City Council Regular Session." (May 20, 2025). (link). North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Site - Abatement and Demolition - Bid Awarded to 4 Seasons Demolition, Inc. Accessed January 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Market Study and Design Analysis for Redevelopment Sites: Former DMV and Moore Square East" (link). NC Electronic Vendor Portal. (June 23, 2025). Accessed January 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Senate Bill 99 (2017 Appropriations Act), Section 34.24" (link). North Carolina General Assembly. (2017). Accessed January 29, 2026.
- ↑ "State officials decide to move DMV headquarters from Raleigh to Rocky Mount" (link). ABC11 (WTVD). (March 5, 2019). Accessed January 29, 2026.
- ↑ "Council of State Agenda (June 6, 2023)" (link). North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management. (June 6, 2023). Accessed January 29, 2026.
- ↑ "Station Area Planning and Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-7-22" (link). City of Raleigh. (January 30, 2024). Accessed January 27, 2026.
- ↑ "Raleigh City Council Meeting Minutes (January 2, 2024)" (link). City of Raleigh. (January 2, 2024). Accessed January 29, 2026.
- ↑ "Acquisition of DMV Headquarters Staff Presentation" (link). City of Raleigh. (January 2, 2024). Accessed January 29, 2026.
- ↑ "Former DMV Site Vision Plan Map" (link). City of Raleigh. (January 2, 2024). Accessed January 29, 2029.
- ↑ "City of Raleigh completes purchase of former DMV headquarters" (link). WRAL. (June 24, 2024). Accessed January 29, 2026.