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> 

<h2>The Application</h2>
The current zoning request seeks to update the existing zoning on Centennial to the Campus Master Plan district. This district was designed for institutional land such as Centennial, but has not yet been applied in the City of Raleigh.  

The rezoning application includes the majority of the land that makes up Centennial Campus west of Centennial Parkway (which does not include the area known as the Spring Hill District). The planned rezoning will advance the university’s education, research and statewide outreach mission by creating a framework for future development of both university buildings and public-private partnership projects, while maintaining open spaces and recreation for the university community, local residents and other visitors.

The zoning application establishes a framework for an urban learn/live/work/play environment on Centennial that aligns with the academic and research activities of NC State. It will also pave the way for the North Oval Innovation District project, a 32-acre public-private partnership. The opportunities presented in the updated Master Plan will help NC State advance its mission on behalf of the Raleigh, Research Triangle and statewide communities.

In addition to outlining land uses in support of the Centennial Campus vision, the application includes height and square footage guidelines for various districts on the campus; maintains open spaces; and reinforces public connectivity to recreation areas on Centennial Campus, including the <a href="https://centennial.ncsu.edu/thrive/lake-raleigh/">Lake Raleigh Recreation Area</a>.

The request will also translate a series of legacy zoning conditions and designations into a more modern framework envisioned by the Uniform Development Ordinance, and it will update the Master Plan to a more user-friendly framework for future development on Centennial.