RFP for Small Area Plan for Gateway 401 Area

Description

Request for Proposals Small Area Plan for Gateway 401 Issued: September 4, 2026 Proposals Due: Tuesday, September 29 at 5:00 pm ET Description The Town of Rolesville invites qualified planning, engineering, and economic development firms to submit proposals for a small area plan for a future commercial/employment corridor at the intersection of U.S. 401 and South Main Street in Rolesville, NC. This area is informally referred to as “Gateway 401” as it is the main entrance into Rolesville from Raleigh. Background Rolesville is a community of approximately 13,000, situated in the greater Research Triangle Region adjacent to Raleigh and Wake Forest, with a population of over 35,000 within a 3-mile radius. Rolesville is experiencing accelerated growth in a county that is consistently one of the fastest growing counties in North Carolina. In alignment with the Town’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, it is important that Rolesville identifies land for non-residential use, which may include retail centers, light manufacturing/industrial facilities, business parks, medical, professional and/or flex office space. Furthermore, it’s incumbent upon the Town to commence preparing large tracts of land to attract non-residential development to these targeted areas. Rolesville’s tax base is predominantly residential and there is a need and desire to diversify the Town’s tax base. In addition, the majority of the Town’s residents work outside of town in the region, and the Town seeks to create more job opportunities for current and future residents. Planning Area The planning area (see image below) consists of approximately 9 parcels, comprising about 500 acres at the junction of U.S. 401 and South Main Street. The area currently consists mostly of greenfield - vacant land or farmland, zoned low density residential (R-L) outside of Town limits, but within the Town’s Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). 1 The study area is designated in the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map as “Business and Innovation Corridor”. Per the Comp Plan, “The 401 Gateway will serve as a key employment opportunity for economic development, providing jobs and tax base balancing.” The 2021 Community Transportation Plan outlines a new thoroughfare in this area as well, the Fowler Road Extension, as a mid-term priority (10-20 years).