Centennial Campus

This timeline was originally created by Paige Meszaros in 2004 for the Centennial Campus 20th Anniversary. It has been subsequently updated by NCSU Libraries staff.

Centennial Campus
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1970s

1970s Research centers developed

NC State developed research centers, prior to the Centennial Campus project, to encourage government and private funding for the university.

1980s

1984 Governor James B. Hunt visited

Governor James B. Hunt gave a series of speeches about the importance of state funding for biotechnology, microelectronics, and a school of textiles for NC State.

12/19/1984 Centennial Campus established

North Carolina Governor (and NC State alumnus) James B. Hunt Jr. alloted the initial 355-acre parcel of land for the university's Centennial Campus. The land was previously part of the Dorothea Dix hospital.

Jack P. Jordan, Bruce Poulton, and James Hunt at land acquisition eventJack P. Jordan, Bruce Poulton, and James Hunt at land acquisition event
2/1985 450 acres allocated

An additional 450 acres was allocated from the State Farm Operations Commission by Governor Jim Martin's administration.

7/1985 Master Plan request approved

UNC Board of Governors approved the request of the NC State Board of Trustees for permission to hire a firm to develop a Master Plan for the new property.

Dorthea Dix propertyDorthea Dix property
9/1985 Centennial Campus developer selected

The NC State Board of Trustees selected Carley Capital Group as the Master Planner and Development Adviser for the Centennial Campus project.

1986 AURRP chartered

NC State helped charter the Association of University Related Research Parks (AURRP).

12/1986 1.4 acre lot purchased

A 1.4 acre lot, formerly site of H. B. Harris house, was purchased by the NC State Endowment Board of Trustees for Centennial Campus.

1/1987 Research I Building ground broken

After a site was selected in November 1986, ground-breaking began in January 1987.

1/1987 Land Use Master Plan approved

The UNC Board of Governors approved Land Use Master Plan.

1987 College of Textiles voted

Faculty and administration of the College of Textiles voted unanimously against moving to Centennial Campus.

4/1987 2.5 acres of land purchased

The NC State Endowment Board of Trustees purchased a 2.5 acre parcel of land from UNC-Greensboro.

5/1987 118.9 acres reallocated

Land totaling 118.9 acres was exchanged with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and reallocated by the Council of State.

6/1987 Master Plan review conducted

The Governor and Council of State conducted a formal review of the Master Plan for the Centennial Campus. Both parties unanimously approved and adopted the plan.

1988 Additional 75 acres purchased

An additional 75 acres was purchased by the NC State Endowment fund from the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh for $7.5 million. Other small purchases and land trades eventually raise the total to 1,000 acres.

4/1988 First Centennial Campus building dedicated

In February 1988, staff first occupied the Precision Engineering Center in the Research I Building, the first Centennial Campus building. In April of the same year, the building was dedicated.

6/1988 Engineering Graduate Research Center contract approved

A site was selected for the Engineering Graduate Research Center in April 1988. The design contract and document for the Center was approved in June.

Engineering Graduate Research Center construction on Centennial CampusEngineering Graduate Research Center construction on Centennial Campus
7/1988 Claude E. McKinney hired by Chancellor's Office

Claude E. McKinney left his post as dean of the School of Design and became the Special Assistant to the Chancellor for the Development of Centennial Campus.

Claude McKinney portraitClaude McKinney portrait
8-9/1988 Centennial Campus rezoned

As a part of the first phase for the Centennial Campus project, the Raleigh City Council and N.C. Council of State rezoned the campus as a “mixed-use thoroughfare district.”

10/1988 75 acres purchased

The NC State Endowment Board of Trustees purchased 75 acres of land from the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh.

12/1988 2.1 acres purchased

The NC State Endowment Board of Trustees purchased 2.1 acres of land from Eastman Development.

4/1989 Centennial Campus Management Team dissolved

The Centennial Campus Management team was dissolved as the project grew.

1990s

1990s Centennial began to market to incubator companies
2/1990 Ground broken for Research Building II

After a site was selected in November 1988, ground was broken for Research Building II in February 1990.

Research II Building construction on Centennial CampusResearch II Building construction on Centennial Campus
3/1990 Centennial Parkway approved

Centennial Parkway was approved by NC State University, the NC Department of Agriculture, the NC Department of Transportation, the NC Division of Public Health, and the NC Department of Human Resources.

4/1990 Environmental Impact Assessment approved

The Environmental Impact Assessment was approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

5/1990 ABB letter of intent submitted

Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) Power Transmission Technology Institute submitted a letter of intent to NC State.

8/1990 Wolfline adjusted routes to include Centennial Campus
12/1990 ABB building construction began

After a site had been chosen in June, construction on the ABB building began in December 1990.

ABB Building construction on Centennial CampusABB Building construction on Centennial Campus
1991 Research I Building completed
Research I Building on Centennial CampusResearch I Building on Centennial Campus
1991 College of Textiles dedicated
College of TextilesCollege of Textiles
4/1991 Forecast Office in Research Building III confirmed

The National Weather Service confirmed the lease contract with Centennial Campus for the new Forecast Office in Research Building III.

7/1991 ABB became first corporate tenant at Centennial Campus
ABB Building on Centennial CampusABB Building on Centennial Campus
4/1992 Property annexed

The city of Raleigh annexed part of the Centennial Campus property and the adjoining Trailwood Knoll neighborhood in order to comply with new zoning needs.

6/1992 ABB’s Transmission Technology Institute dedicated
Dedication of ABB Building dedication on Centennial CampusDedication of ABB Building dedication on Centennial Campus
05/01/1992 Alumni Centennial Gateway dedicated

At the corner of Western Boulevard and Gorman Street, the Alumni Centennial Gateway was a steel wall 18 feet high and 128 feet long. The gateway marked the entrance to the western part of campus.

Alumni Centennial GatewayAlumni Centennial Gateway
9/1992 New Master Plan ordered

Chancellor Larry Monteith ordered development of a new Master Plan in the face of slower than expected growth for Centennial Campus.

11/1992 Site chosen for Centennial Campus electrical substation
2/1993 Research Building III construction began

After the site was chosen in April 1992, construction on the building began in February 1993.

Research III Building construction on Centennial CampusResearch III Building construction on Centennial Campus
11/1993 University bonds approved

$310 million in university bonds was approved by North Carolina voters. $35 million was allocated for NC State's Engineering Graduate Research Center.

12/1993 National Weather Service office established

The National Weather Service established a Forecast Office in Research Building III and became the first government partner at Centennial Campus.

NOAA National Weather Service on Centennial CampusNOAA National Weather Service on Centennial Campus
1994 Textile Protection and Comfort Center established

The Textile Protection and Comfort Center, within the College of Textiles on Centennial Campus, provided a facility for testing the performance of various textile materials.

5/1994 Centennial Parkway included in Governor Hunt’s Transportation 2001 Plan
8/1994 Construction of $35 million Engineering Graduate Research Center begins
Engineering Graduate Research Center construction on Centennial CampusEngineering Graduate Research Center construction on Centennial Campus
9/1994 Research Building III dedicated

After staff moved in January 1994, the building was dedicated in September.

Research III Building on Centennial CampusResearch III Building on Centennial Campus
10/1994 Centennial Campus 10-year celebration
James Hunt speaking at Centennial Campus's ten year celebrationJames Hunt speaking at Centennial Campus's ten year celebration
6/1995 Research Building IV construction began
Research IV Building construction on Centennial CampusResearch IV Building construction on Centennial Campus
1996 Constructed Facilities Laboratory opened

Department laboratory space expanded to occupy part of the Constructed Facilities Laboratory on Centennial Campus. The lab became a hub of collaboration between the civil engineering department and private and government entities to develop and evaluate the performance of new products and innovative structural systems. The facility included an environmental chamber used to test large-scale structural components subjected to severe environmental conditions, such as ... More

Constructed Facilities Lab on Centennial CampusConstructed Facilities Lab on Centennial Campus
8/10/1996 Staff moved into Research Building IV
Centennial Campus, Research Building IVCentennial Campus, Research Building IV
11/1996 First departments from College of Engineering moved to Centennial Campus
1/1997 Partners Building I completed

Partners Building I construction began in August 1995, and staff moved into the building in January 1997.

Partners I Building on Centennial CampusPartners I Building on Centennial Campus
1/1997 Centennial Parkway opened

The 1.9 miles Centennial Parkway access road opened at a cost of approximately $5 million.

2/1997 Construction of Partners Building II began
1998 Engineering Graduate Research Center dedicated
Engineering Graduate Research Center on Centennial CampusEngineering Graduate Research Center on Centennial Campus
1999 Partners Building II completed
Partners II Building on Centennial CampusPartners II Building on Centennial Campus
1999 North Shore development began

Development of the North Shore condomium community began.

2000s

08/2000 Centennial Magnet Middle School opened

After construction began in 1997, the Centennial Magnet Middle School opened in August 2000.

Centennial Campus Middle SchoolCentennial Campus Middle School
12/2000 Spring Hill District transferred

The state of North Carolina transferred Spring Hill House (ca. 1820) and approximately 130 acres from Dorothea Dix Hospital to NC State. In February 2001, the Board of Trustees approved the addition of the Spring Hill District, or Precinct, to Centennial Campus. The Japan Center moved into Spring Hill House in June 2001.

Front view, Spring Hill House, Dorothea Dix Hospital, Raleigh, Wake County, North CarolinaFront view, Spring Hill House, Dorothea Dix Hospital, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina
2004 Partners Building III completed
2004 Engineering Building I completed

This building was funded through the Bonds for Education program.

2004 Centennial Campus history written

A history of the first 20 years of Centennial Campus was commissioned by the Centennial Campus Partnership Office.

2005 Monteith Engineering Research Center renamed

The Engineering Graduate Research Center was renamed after Larry Monteith, chancellor of NC State from 1989 to 1998.

Chancellor Larry K. MonteithChancellor Larry K. Monteith
2005 Engineering Building II completed

This building was funded through the Bonds for Education program.

Engineering Building II, constructionEngineering Building II, construction
11/2005 William and Ida Friday Institute moved

The William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation moved into its new facility in November 2005. It was established in 2003.

Friday InstituteFriday Institute
9/2006 Park Alumni Center opened

The Dorothy and Roy Park Alumni Center opened on the southern shore of Lake Raleigh

Wolves at Park Alumni CenterWolves at Park Alumni Center
9/19/2007 BTEC established

The Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC) was established on Centennial Campus. The facility allowed for simulation of biopharmaceutical products and packaging in a sterile environment.

11/01/2007 Centennial Campus awarded

Centennial Campus was named "Top Research Science Park" by the Association of University Research Science Parks (AURP).

2009 Keystone Science Center built

The Center, originally called the Centennial Science Center, housed the FREEDM Center, as well as office and lab space on Centennial Campus.

7/31/2009 Lonnie Poole Golf Course opened

Poole was founder of Waste Industries USA, and he contributed $3 million to the project.

10/23/2009 Hunt Library groundbreaking ceremony held

A groundbreaking ceremony initiated construction of the James B. Hunt Jr. Library.

2010s

9/15/2010 Engineering Building III dedicated

This building was built with 80 labs and 2 wind tunnels, and it had the first green roof on Centennial Campus.

2011 The Point completed

The new chancellor's residence replaced the one on Hillsborough Street, which then became the Gregg Museum.

2011 Pentair became an industry partner
04/2011 Innovation Cafe opened

The Innovation Cafe provided engineering and textiles students with a new eating option on Centennial Campus.

Innovation Cafe on Centennial CampusInnovation Cafe on Centennial Campus
2012 Eastman became an industry partner
4/3/2013 James B. Hunt Jr. Library dedicated

The library was named in honor of former four-term NC Governor and NC State alumnus James B. Hunt Jr. The new building housed the Institute for Emerging Issues.

Plaque at Hunt LibraryPlaque at Hunt Library
4/19/2013 Research Building I renamed Poulton Innovation Center

Research Building I was renamed after Bruce Poulton, 10th chancellor of NC State (1982-1989). The university acquired Centennial Campus during his term in office.

Poulton, Bruce R. :: Administrators, Faculty, and Staff [Duplicate]Poulton, Bruce R. :: Administrators, Faculty, and Staff [Duplicate]
2013 LexisNexis moved

LexisNexis moved its Business of Law Software Solutions Division to the former Red Hat building.

8/19/2013 Wolf Ridge Apartments built

The six-building complex was built to accommodate approximately 1,200 graduate and upper-division students, and it was the first LEED-certified residence hall at the university.

2013 Hunt Library awarded by AIA/ALA

Immediately after the dedication, the James B. Hunt Jr. Library won the AIA National Award and the AIA/ALA Library Building Award. In 2014, the library won the ALA Library Interior Design Award and the AIA Education Facility Design Award. It later garnered additional awards and was featured in Architecture magazine. Time magazine called it the "library of the future."

James B. Hunt Library rendering -- West FacadeJames B. Hunt Library rendering -- West Facade
2014 Greens at Centennial Campus opened
2014 New North Shore development began

New development began in the North Shore condominium community.

10/11/2017 StateView Hotel opened

The hotel opened with 90 king-sized rooms, 70 double-double rooms, 3 suites, a bar, a full-service restaurant, and eight meeting rooms.

1/11/2018 VF Corporation partnership announced

The university announced a partnership between the College of Textiles, the Poole College of Management, and the VF Corporation to support student development and advance apparel and textiles innovation.

2020s

2020 Fitts-Woolard Hall opened

Fitts-Woolard Hall opened as a 225,000 square-foot engineering innovation building. Fitts-Woolard Hall brought the College of Engineering together on Centennial Campus by serving as the home for the Dean’s Administration; the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering; and the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and System Engineering.

2023 The Oval declared a hallowed place

The Oval, an open area on Centennial Campus surrounded by engineering buildings and the James B. Hunt Jr. Library, was designated as the university’s 10th hallowed place.