Established in 1983 through an initial land allocation by then governor James B. Hunt, Jr., Centennial Campus was conceived as a new type of research, innovation and public-private partnership campus, one that would propel NC State's research and innovation mission into its second century.

Since then, Centennial has become <strong>a nationally known destination for partnership and collaboration</strong> among leaders in business, research and education — a place where industry and academia collide to innovate. The unique environment allows public, private and nonprofit partners opportunities to work with some of the nation’s top faculty and researchers; allows students unsurpassed hands-on experience working with leading companies; and drives the state’s economic prosperity. Centennial helps develop the workforce, launch new startups, create new products, and attract new industries, venture capital and jobs to North Carolina.

<h2>Zoning History</h2>
<ul>
<li>Centennial Campus was originally zoned in 1988 to enable educational, research and public-private partnership activities along with residential, and recreation uses through a phased master plan.</li>
<li>The zoning was incrementally updated in subsequent years to add additional land to the campus, but corresponding increases to the buildable area were not made in connection with those land additions.</li>
<li>Over time, the City of Raleigh updated its zoning code and approach to use regulation, and updated much of its zoning districts in 2016 following the adoption of a new Uniform Development Ordinance in 2013. This ordinance provided a new type of district specifically envisioned for large-scale campus planning: the Campus Master Plan district.</li>