Raleigh Convention Center, a downtown icon, could get a new name

Residents will learn new details about the future name of the Raleigh Convention Center on Tuesday and have a chance to share their opinions.

The city is considering selling the naming rights to Atlantic Union Bank, which means the home of Wake County high school graduations, concerts and conferences could soon become the Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center. 

If approved, the new name would be used for a 15-year term with options to extend.

Atlantic Union Bank has already agreed to pay the city more than $500,000 upfront for the naming rights, and that annual fee would increase by 2% every year across the 15-year term.

A public hearing will be held at 1 p.m. during a Raleigh City Council session.

Work is planned to expand the venue at 500 S. Salisbury St., and renderings were released earlier this year. Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of this year and be complete in 2029.