Members of the community are invited to help shape the future of recreation in the Triangle at a public workshop next week. The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority and Pacific Elm properties will host the last of three public workshops on Oct. 21 as they consider options for a potential recreation and wellness destination on airport land.
“Engaging the community is important as we explore possibilities for a destination that would be an asset to the region and our growing airport,” said Tammie Hall-Roberts, chair of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board. “We appreciate the ideas we heard at the first two workshops, and we hope to have another good turnout on Oct. 21.”
Please join us:
Tuesday, Oct. 21
4 – 7 p.m.
Frontier RTP, Building 700
700 Park Offices Drive
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Attendees are welcome to drop in anytime between 4 and 7 p.m. for this informal event. At the first two workshops, attendees learned about the project and provided input on potential features such as water sports, land sports, family-focused activities, retail, food and beverage establishments and lodging. At the third workshop, people will have the opportunity to review potential concepts, ask questions and provide feedback.
The Airport Authority is working with Pacific Elm Properties on a potential recreation and wellness destination on 136 acres of airport land near Aviation Parkway and Interstate 40. The goal is to create a unique destination that serves the community, respects the natural character of the site and generates revenue for the airport.
You can learn more about the proposed project at rdu.com/recreation/.
USA Today 10Best List: A popular RDU dining concept has been honored with a 10Best Reader’s Choice Award from USA Today. North Carolina-born Whisky River made the list for Best Airport Bar. The restaurant’s comfortable setting and Dale Earnhardt, Junior’s signature barbeque sauce make it a favorite place to unwind on a busy travel day. Nominees are chosen by a panel of dining and travel experts and voted on by travelers nationwide. Whisky River is at Gate D14 in Terminal 2.
Breeze Jobs, New Routes: Breeze Airways plans to create more than 200 jobs in the Raleigh-Durham region when it opens a new crew base at RDU next year. The airline anticipates hiring pilots and flight attendants to support the base. Breeze will also begin nonstop flights next year from RDU to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, pending final government approval. Breeze will fly to Punta Cana on Wednesdays and Saturdays beginning March 4 and to Montego Bay on Thursdays and Sundays beginning March 5.
Board Chair Honor: Tammie Hall-Roberts, chair of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board, has been named the Triangle Business Journal’s Community Champions Lifetime Achievement Award winner for 2025. On Oct. 9, the journal recognized Hall-Roberts and other leaders who have shown an exceptional commitment to strengthening the communities they serve through initiatives such as public outreach and workplace engagement. They cited Chair Hall-Roberts’ dedication to increasing opportunities for small and minority businesses as one of her many contributions to our community.