Michigan, October 17, 2025
The Knollwood golf course in Michigan has undergone a significant makeover, with renovations led by Zinkand. Enhancements include updated greens and facilities, offering an improved golfing experience for players across the state. This comprehensive upgrade promises to elevate the quality and enjoyment of the game for both new and seasoned golfers, making Knollwood a premier destination for golf enthusiasts.
Charlotte, North Carolina
New Indoor Music Venue Announced Near Bank of America Stadium
Tepper Sports & Entertainment (TSE) has unveiled plans to construct a new 4,400-seat indoor music venue adjacent to the North Gate of Bank of America Stadium in Uptown Charlotte. The proposed 89,000-square-foot facility aims to fill a gap in Uptown’s entertainment options by offering a mid-sized, centrally located performance space. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with an expected opening in 2030. TSE will fully fund the project, though cost details have not been disclosed. The venue will be developed in partnership with Blueprint Studio, Live Nation’s design and development group. This initiative reflects TSE’s broader efforts to enhance the entertainment landscape in Charlotte, alongside ongoing stadium and practice facility upgrades. TSE CEO Kristi Coleman emphasized the venue as part of the organization’s commitment to the city’s future.
Delayed Opening of New Uptown Library Branch
The construction of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s new five-story Uptown branch at 6th and North Tryon Streets is progressing but behind schedule. Originally slated to open in 2026, the $137 million, 115,000-square-foot facility is now expected to open in spring 2027. The library has been closed for four years, and once completed, it is projected to attract a million visitors in its first year, becoming a key community resource and major Uptown destination. Library Director Caitlin Moen attributed the delay to meticulous work necessary to ensure the building’s longevity. The design incorporates feedback from the community, with a focus on adult users, while the separate ImaginOn branch continues serving children and teens. Mecklenburg County has contributed $72.33 million, and the library foundation still seeks $8 million in private donations to meet the total cost. Key features include a pedestrian-friendly Tryon Plaza with an ADA ramp and automated book return, a shared lobby with the adjacent theater featuring terrazzo flooring and wood ceilings, a 2,500-square-foot café with street views and public seating, an open atrium with zigzagging stairs and a skylight supplying natural light, and a public second-story terrace. The library aims to enhance Uptown’s evolving cultural landscape.
Challenges in North Carolina’s Construction Industry
The construction industry in North Carolina is facing significant challenges due to new tariffs on imported materials, impacting over 45% of construction supplies. With costs rising sharply—1.4% in January—the outlook remains uncertain as economic and political factors contribute to hesitancy among investors. This ongoing price surge affects both structural and finishing materials, forcing architects and developers to adapt quickly. Strategic planning and early cost assessments are essential for managing budgets effectively amidst fluctuating expenses and complex supply chain dynamics.
North Carolina’s Construction Industry Ranks Fifth Nationally
North Carolina’s construction industry continues to stand out on the national stage, ranking as the fifth strongest in the country, according to a new LendingTree analysis. The study, which looked at wage growth, job growth, and new housing permits, paints an encouraging picture for the Tar Heel State’s builders, tradespeople, and contractors—and signals momentum for the region’s ongoing economic expansion. Between 2021 and 2024, construction wages in North Carolina rose by 11.4%, which trails the state’s overall wage growth of 22.3% for all occupations. While the pay increases in construction were more modest, the industry still outperformed the state’s overall labor market when it came to job growth: employment in construction grew by 13%, compared to a 10.8% increase for the workforce as a whole. Meanwhile, North Carolina’s appetite for new housing remained strong.
North Carolina GOP Announces Plans to Redraw U.S. House District Map
North Carolina Republican legislative leaders have announced plans to vote on redrawing the state’s U.S. House district map amid a broader nationwide redistricting battle ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. This move follows former President Donald Trump’s call for GOP-led legislatures to counter Democratic redistricting efforts. The current North Carolina map, drawn in 2023, resulted in Republicans winning 10 of 14 seats in 2024, compared to a 7-7 split in 2022. The GOP now aims to make the 1st District, currently held by Democrat Don Davis, more Republican-friendly, potentially raising their total to 11 seats. Nationally, similar efforts are underway, with GOP-led Texas and Missouri and Democrat-led California revising maps to gain seats. Critics argue these actions are partisan gerrymandering. North Carolina Democrats and advocacy groups like Common Cause and the NAACP are challenging the proposed redistricting in court, citing racial discrimination and voter dilution. The state’s Democratic governor cannot veto redistricting plans, giving Republicans a clear path to implement changes. This redistricting battle is a crucial factor in the upcoming competitive midterm, where Democrats need to gain only three seats to flip the House.
Asheville Regional Airport Expansion Underway
As of 2023, Asheville Regional Airport is undergoing a significant expansion and reconstruction project. Once completed, the terminal will be 150% larger than its current size and will feature 12 gates instead of the existing seven. The new terminal will be two stories, enhancing passenger experience and capacity. The groundbreaking ceremony for the terminal occurred on August 11, 2023. The new air-traffic control tower is scheduled to be ready in 2025, with the completed project expected in 2026. The total cost of the project has been cited as $400 million, with $175 million in bonds approved by the state treasurer for the project. Jet bridges will be added as part of the project, as currently, manual ramps are used to board planes during the renovation.
North Carolina Freedom Park Opens in Raleigh
North Carolina Freedom Park in Raleigh, North Carolina, opened on August 23, 2023. The park is located on Lane Street downtown between the Executive Mansion and the Legislative Building. Designed by Phil Freelon and the firm Perkins + Will, who helped design the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, the park was constructed by Holt Brothers Construction of Raleigh, North Carolina, which was founded by Torry Holt and Terrence Holt. The park includes the North Carolina Victim Assistance Network’s Crime Victims’ Memorial Garden, which was already in the location. The total project cost of $5 million was funded partly from an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation grant of $1.9 million.
ReBuild NC Seeks Additional Funding Amid Scrutiny
North Carolina’s hurricane homebuilding program, ReBuild NC, is asking lawmakers for more than $200 million in new funding—a major new request by an embattled agency seeking to climb out of a massive deficit and finish decade-long work. The head of the NC Office of Recovery and Resiliency (or ReBuild NC) outlined the request and the status of its projects during testimony, part of a series of hearings as the General Assembly continues to scrutinize the response to Hurricanes Matthew and Florence in North Carolina. ReBuild NC is asking for $217 million in new funds, three months after leaders revealed that the agency had run up a deficit of more than $221 million. If the agency receives the money needed, interim director Pryor Gibson said, they could finally complete the promised houses within a year. But lawmakers couldn’t afford to wait, he said—or continue allocating money by increments. “We desperately need a dependable source,” Gibson said. “Whatever amount it is, we’re hoping enough to finish.” If the General Assembly fails to appropriate the additional money, Gibson warned that contractors would pick up and leave. The latest ask signals that the office, which was created under former Gov. Roy Cooper, intends to continue operating—at least for now—under Gov. Josh Stein’s administration. It paused construction and payments to contractors in December, with lawmakers only appropriating money through February. The longtime director, Laura Hogshead, departed the office in November; Gibson, a former state lawmaker and close advisor to former Gov. Roy Cooper, has taken charge in the interim. Other top staff have also begun to leave, Gibson said Thursday—“probably half” of “key management” in the past month. The office has held three reorganization meetings in recent weeks. The pair of Republicans chairing the committee Thursday were frank in their frustration over the agency. One of them called it “one of the biggest shams on the North Carolina taxpayers.” “I hope today that we’re done with excuses,” said Rep. Brendan Jones (R-Columbus). “No more delays. No more fake estimates. No more NCORR kicking the can down the road. We expect real answers, and we’re going to get to the point.” In November, the office’s former director estimated that an additional $264 million would be enough to finish all of its projects under a “worst-case scenario.” Lawmakers, since learning of the agency’s deficit, have allocated $80 million. ReBuild NC’s new ask of $217 million would bring the total to almost $300 million. Gibson pointed to a recent uptick in completed homes, arguing that the office had stabilized its workflow and was capable of finally finishing its work. “Can we maintain that pace in 2025?” Gibson said. “We can’t. But what this clearly shows is that we have the infrastructure and processes in place to finish.” Around 1,150 total homes remain unfinished, Gibson said. That includes 640 that have been allocated money and are in construction; the remaining 540 are in the queue to begin, but have not been issued the go-ahead to start construction.
FAQ
- What new indoor music venue has been announced in Charlotte?
- Tepper Sports & Entertainment has unveiled plans for a new 4,400-seat indoor music venue adjacent to the North Gate of Bank of America Stadium in Uptown Charlotte.
- When is the new Uptown library branch expected to open?
- The new five-story Uptown library branch is now expected to open in spring 2027.
- What challenges is the North Carolina construction industry facing?
- The construction industry is facing significant challenges due to new tariffs on imported materials, impacting over 45% of construction supplies, along with sharp increases in costs.
- How does North Carolina’s construction industry rank nationally?
- North Carolina’s construction industry ranks as the fifth strongest in the country according to a recent LendingTree analysis.
- What is ReBuild NC requesting from lawmakers?
- ReBuild NC is asking for more than $200 million in new funding to climb out of a deficit and finish long-standing projects.
Key Features of the Recently Highlighted Construction Developments
| Project | Location | Size/Capacity | Completion Year | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor Music Venue | Uptown Charlotte | 4,400 seats / 89,000 sq ft | 2030 | Undisclosed |
| Uptown Library Branch | 6th and North Tryon Streets | 115,000 sq ft | 2027 | $137 million |
| Asheville Regional Airport Expansion | Asheville | 150% larger terminal (12 gates) | 2026 | $400 million |
| North Carolina Freedom Park | Raleigh | Not specified | 2023 | $5 million |
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Author: Construction NC News
The NORTH CAROLINA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructionncnews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in North Carolina and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina Build Expo, major infrastructure projects, and advancements in construction technology showcases. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas and the North Carolina Home Builders Association, plus leading businesses in construction and legal services that power the local economy such as CMiC Global and Womble Bond Dickinson LLP. As part of the broader network, including constructioncanews.com, constructionnynews.com, and constructiontxnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic construction landscape across multiple states.
