Develop the Future of RTP

What is Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina?

Research Triangle Park is the largest and most established research park in North America and a global hub for innovation, technology and life sciences. Located between Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, RTP spans 7,000 acres and is home to more than 385 companies employing 55,000 people across technology, biotech, advanced manufacturing and professional services. Since its founding in 1959, the Park has served as a cornerstone of North Carolina’s economy, supporting job creation, research and economic development in close partnership with the region’s top-tier research universities, companies and public-sector organizations.

Since 1959, the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina (Foundation) has led the strategic vision and development of RTP. As a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, the Foundation has fostered transformative collaboration among universities, industry, government and the workforce while attracting the world's most innovative companies and top-tier talent to the region. By promoting groundbreaking research, scientific advancements and technology-based innovation within RTP, the Foundation supports quality job creation and strengthens North Carolina’s economic landscape, generating more than $25 billion in annual economic impact.

RTP 3.0 is a long-term planning initiative to guide the evolution of RTP over the next 50 years. It expands how land in the Park may be used so companies can modernize campuses, support research and development, attract talent and build vibrant places where people can work, live, gather and connect.

The plan supports new housing, retail, restaurants, hotels, greenways and entertainment options alongside RTP’s research and technology ecosystem.

View minutes: https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wakegov.com.if-us-west-1/s3fs-public/documents/2025-07/SIGNED%20CORRECTED%20MINUTES%204-2-25.pdf

November 24, 2025 | Durham County Commissioners Vote: Approved

The Durham County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve text changes to the Research Applications (RA) zoning district to enable RTP 3.0 implementation.

View recorded meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/live/wOsTnhaZ2Q4?t=6023s

Read press release: https://www.rtp.org/2025/11/rtp-3-0-receives-durham-county-zoning-approval/

Resource persons: Scott Levitan, President and CEO; Travis Crayton, VP Planning and Public Policy, Research Triangle Foundation of NC

October 14, 2025 | Durham County Planning Commission Vote: Approved

Durham County Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend changes to the zoning map and Unified Development Ordinance to the Durham County Board of Commissioners.

View recorded meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/live/MQzA47VEM_M?si=M58GQmQzEpYb50hZ&t=2809

September 2025 | RTP 3.0 Neighborhood Meetings

June 16, 2025 | Wake County Commissioners Vote: Approved

The Wake County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve text changes to the Research Applications (RA) zoning district to enable RTP 3.0 implementation.

Watch here: https://wake.granicus.com/player/clip/3261

Read press release: https://www.rtp.org/2025/06/wake-county-approves-zoning-changes-in-support-of-rtps-vision-for-long-term-growth/

Resource persons: Scott Levitan, RTF President and CEO; Travis Crayton, RTF VP Planning and Public Policy

April 2, 2025 | Wake County Planning Board Vote: Approved

Wake County Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend text changes to the Research Applications (RA) zoning district to the Wake County Board of Commissioners.

January 31, 2025 | O&T Covenant Vote: Approved

RTP Owners & Tenants Association members voted to approve revised and amended land covenants.

Read the press release: RTP companies approve covenant changes with 96% majority, marking the first step in reimagining North America’s largest research park

Winter 2024 | O&T Working Group Share Progress

RTP Owners & Tenants Working Group share progress with RTP Owners & Tenants

Summer 2024 | O&T Working Group Meetings

RTP Owners & Tenants Working Group meets weekly to resolve outstanding issues

Spring 2024 | Monthly RTP 3.0 O&T Meetings

Monthly RTP 3.0 RTP Owners & Tenants Meetings

June 2024 | O&T Endorsement

RTP Owners & Tenants endorses resolution supporting principles of RTP 3.0

January 8, 2024 | Wake County Commissioners Meeting

Watch here: https://wake.granicus.com/player/clip/3042?view_id=7&meta_id=262464&redirect=true

Resource persons: Scott Levitan, RTF President and CEO; Travis Crayton, RTF Senior Director of Planning; Linda Hall, RTF EVP and COO

December 9, 2023 | Durham County Commissioners Meeting

Watch the meeting: https://durhamcounty.granicus.com/player/clip/1413view_id=3&meta_id=306786&redirect=true

Resource Persons: Maurice Jones, Durham County Deputy County Manager, Scott Levitan, President and CEO of the Research Triangle Foundation (RTF) and Travis Crayton, RTF Senior Director of Planning.

March 2023 | RTP 3.0 Phase 2 Kickoff

RTP Owners & Tenants individual company meetings and engagement

April 2022 | RTP 3.0 Feasibility Study Kickoff

RTP 3.0 Feasibility Study Kickoff

Fall 2021 | 300 in 100

Engagement with RTP companies

Vision and lifestyle

How does RTP 3.0 support workforce goals?

What recreational opportunities are available?

RTP offers a growing mix of recreation, entertainment and outdoor amenities across the Park. Hub RTP, the Park’s vibrant downtown district, hosts year-round programming including live musical performances, art exhibitions, fitness classes, farmers' markets and community events. In 2025, Hub RTP featured about 700 events across its 100-acre campus.
Visitors to Boxyard RTP, the open-air retail destination in the heart of Hub RTP, enjoy a wide variety of local restaurants and shops. It's a place where they can grab lunch during the workday, enjoy a beverage and trivia at happy hour or bring their kids and dogs and listen to live music over the weekend. RTP also features existing trails, softball fields and sand volleyball courts that support active lifestyles for Park employees.

Looking ahead, county trail planners are also expanding greenway connections throughout the Park, including a future north-south trail corridor, to better connect neighborhoods, parks and commercial centers.

Development and growth

What is the timeline for development under RTP 3.0?

How will existing businesses in RTP be affected?

How does this benefit developers?

The most significant change is density. Previous RTP zoning imposed restrictive setback and lot coverage requirements that limited how much could be built on a given parcel. The updated standards substantially loosen those restrictions, allowing developers to build significantly more on each parcel than was previously possible. Beyond that, developers gain greater flexibility to integrate mixed-use elements, stronger alignment with national trends in innovation districts and research hubs and a framework that supports sustainable, high-performance building practices.

Does RTP 3.0 support specialized research facilities such as wet labs, clean rooms or advanced manufacturing?

Can companies expand or modify campuses under RTP 3.0 as their operations grow?

Regional engagement and infrastructure

How does RTP 3.0 align with Durham and Wake growth plans?

How do we ensure connectivity between these density nodes?

How will RTP connect to regional transportation?

What is the Triangle Mobility Hub?

RTP master planners have envisioned a transit center for decades, and RTP 3.0 is realizing that vision with the new Triangle Mobility Hub, slated to open by 2029. GoTriangle chose Hoffman & Associates in 2025 as lead developer to create the mixed-use center, which will function as an interchange for regional bus rapid transit, passenger rail, a 17-mile bikeway and other transportation options in one location. Strategically located at NC Highway 54 and the railroad corridor, the Triangle Mobility Hub is intended to improve regional connectivity, support future growth and provide alternatives to driving alone.

Will there be a pedestrian bridge across I-40?

Where can I get more information?

RTP landowners can submit applications under the enhanced development standards starting on July 16.

To inquire about the RTP 3.0 application process, please reach out to planning@rtp.org.

Can't miss updates

From RTP 3.0 news and milestones to leadership insights, stay informed on the latest developments shaping the future of the Park.

WUNC News North Carolina

Research Triangle Park's past, present and future

Business North Carolina

Urban renewal: RTP leaders reshape the famous park

Triangle Business Journal

RTP at a crossroads

Triangle Business Journal

RTP 3.0 zoning clears final public hurdle

ABC 11

Businesses excited as 'RTP 3.0' moves forward

WRAL

RTP 3.0: Durham, Wake counties on board for mixed use development to create destination hub

RTP 3.0 Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about RTP 3.0? Explore our FAQs to learn more about the initiative’s vision, development opportunities and regional impact.

RTP 3.0 Overview

What is Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina?

The plan supports new housing, retail, restaurants, hotels, greenways and entertainment options alongside RTP’s research and technology ecosystem.

View minutes: https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wakegov.com.if-us-west-1/s3fs-public/documents/2025-07/SIGNED%20CORRECTED%20MINUTES%204-2-25.pdf

November 24, 2025 | Durham County Commissioners Vote: Approved

The Durham County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve text changes to the Research Applications (RA) zoning district to enable RTP 3.0 implementation.

View recorded meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/live/wOsTnhaZ2Q4?t=6023s

Read press release: https://www.rtp.org/2025/11/rtp-3-0-receives-durham-county-zoning-approval/

Resource persons: Scott Levitan, President and CEO; Travis Crayton, VP Planning and Public Policy, Research Triangle Foundation of NC

October 14, 2025 | Durham County Planning Commission Vote: Approved

Durham County Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend changes to the zoning map and Unified Development Ordinance to the Durham County Board of Commissioners.

View recorded meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/live/MQzA47VEM_M?si=M58GQmQzEpYb50hZ&t=2809

September 2025 | RTP 3.0 Neighborhood Meetings

June 16, 2025 | Wake County Commissioners Vote: Approved

The Wake County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve text changes to the Research Applications (RA) zoning district to enable RTP 3.0 implementation.

Watch here: https://wake.granicus.com/player/clip/3261

Read press release: https://www.rtp.org/2025/06/wake-county-approves-zoning-changes-in-support-of-rtps-vision-for-long-term-growth/

Resource persons: Scott Levitan, RTF President and CEO; Travis Crayton, RTF VP Planning and Public Policy

April 2, 2025 | Wake County Planning Board Vote: Approved

Wake County Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend text changes to the Research Applications (RA) zoning district to the Wake County Board of Commissioners.

January 31, 2025 | O&T Covenant Vote: Approved

RTP Owners & Tenants Association members voted to approve revised and amended land covenants.

Read the press release: RTP companies approve covenant changes with 96% majority, marking the first step in reimagining North America’s largest research park

Winter 2024 | O&T Working Group Share Progress

RTP Owners & Tenants Working Group share progress with RTP Owners & Tenants

Summer 2024 | O&T Working Group Meetings

RTP Owners & Tenants Working Group meets weekly to resolve outstanding issues

Spring 2024 | Monthly RTP 3.0 O&T Meetings

Monthly RTP 3.0 RTP Owners & Tenants Meetings

June 2024 | O&T Endorsement

RTP Owners & Tenants endorses resolution supporting principles of RTP 3.0

January 8, 2024 | Wake County Commissioners Meeting

Watch here: https://wake.granicus.com/player/clip/3042?view_id=7&meta_id=262464&redirect=true

Resource persons: Scott Levitan, RTF President and CEO; Travis Crayton, RTF Senior Director of Planning; Linda Hall, RTF EVP and COO

December 9, 2023 | Durham County Commissioners Meeting

Watch the meeting: https://durhamcounty.granicus.com/player/clip/1413view_id=3&meta_id=306786&redirect=true

Resource Persons: Maurice Jones, Durham County Deputy County Manager, Scott Levitan, President and CEO of the Research Triangle Foundation (RTF) and Travis Crayton, RTF Senior Director of Planning.

March 2023 | RTP 3.0 Phase 2 Kickoff

RTP Owners & Tenants individual company meetings and engagement

April 2022 | RTP 3.0 Feasibility Study Kickoff

RTP 3.0 Feasibility Study Kickoff

Fall 2021 | 300 in 100

Engagement with RTP companies

RTP landowners can submit applications under the enhanced development standards starting on July 16.

To inquire about the RTP 3.0 application process, please reach out to planning@rtp.org.

Can't miss updates

From RTP 3.0 news and milestones to leadership insights, stay informed on the latest developments shaping the future of the Park.

WUNC News North Carolina

Research Triangle Park's past, present and future

Business North Carolina

Urban renewal: RTP leaders reshape the famous park

Triangle Business Journal

RTP at a crossroads

Triangle Business Journal

RTP 3.0 zoning clears final public hurdle

ABC 11

Businesses excited as 'RTP 3.0' moves forward

WRAL

RTP 3.0: Durham, Wake counties on board for mixed use development to create destination hub

RTP 3.0 Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about RTP 3.0? Explore our FAQs to learn more about the initiative’s vision, development opportunities and regional impact.

RTP 3.0 Overview

What is Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina?

The plan supports new housing, retail, restaurants, hotels, greenways and entertainment options alongside RTP’s research and technology ecosystem.

View minutes: https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wakegov.com.if-us-west-1/s3fs-public/documents/2025-07/SIGNED%20CORRECTED%20MINUTES%204-2-25.pdf

November 24, 2025 | Durham County Commissioners Vote: Approved

The Durham County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve text changes to the Research Applications (RA) zoning district to enable RTP 3.0 implementation.

View recorded meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/live/wOsTnhaZ2Q4?t=6023s

Read press release: https://www.rtp.org/2025/11/rtp-3-0-receives-durham-county-zoning-approval/

Resource persons: Scott Levitan, President and CEO; Travis Crayton, VP Planning and Public Policy, Research Triangle Foundation of NC

October 14, 2025 | Durham County Planning Commission Vote: Approved

Durham County Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend changes to the zoning map and Unified Development Ordinance to the Durham County Board of Commissioners.

View recorded meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/live/MQzA47VEM_M?si=M58GQmQzEpYb50hZ&t=2809

September 2025 | RTP 3.0 Neighborhood Meetings

June 16, 2025 | Wake County Commissioners Vote: Approved

The Wake County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve text changes to the Research Applications (RA) zoning district to enable RTP 3.0 implementation.

Watch here: https://wake.granicus.com/player/clip/3261

Read press release: https://www.rtp.org/2025/06/wake-county-approves-zoning-changes-in-support-of-rtps-vision-for-long-term-growth/

Resource persons: Scott Levitan, RTF President and CEO; Travis Crayton, RTF VP Planning and Public Policy

April 2, 2025 | Wake County Planning Board Vote: Approved

Wake County Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend text changes to the Research Applications (RA) zoning district to the Wake County Board of Commissioners.

January 31, 2025 | O&T Covenant Vote: Approved

RTP Owners & Tenants Association members voted to approve revised and amended land covenants.

Read the press release: RTP companies approve covenant changes with 96% majority, marking the first step in reimagining North America’s largest research park

Winter 2024 | O&T Working Group Share Progress

RTP Owners & Tenants Working Group share progress with RTP Owners & Tenants

Summer 2024 | O&T Working Group Meetings

RTP Owners & Tenants Working Group meets weekly to resolve outstanding issues

Spring 2024 | Monthly RTP 3.0 O&T Meetings

Monthly RTP 3.0 RTP Owners & Tenants Meetings

June 2024 | O&T Endorsement

RTP Owners & Tenants endorses resolution supporting principles of RTP 3.0

January 8, 2024 | Wake County Commissioners Meeting

Watch here: https://wake.granicus.com/player/clip/3042?view_id=7&meta_id=262464&redirect=true

Resource persons: Scott Levitan, RTF President and CEO; Travis Crayton, RTF Senior Director of Planning; Linda Hall, RTF EVP and COO

December 9, 2023 | Durham County Commissioners Meeting

Watch the meeting: https://durhamcounty.granicus.com/player/clip/1413view_id=3&meta_id=306786&redirect=true

Resource Persons: Maurice Jones, Durham County Deputy County Manager, Scott Levitan, President and CEO of the Research Triangle Foundation (RTF) and Travis Crayton, RTF Senior Director of Planning.

March 2023 | RTP 3.0 Phase 2 Kickoff

RTP Owners & Tenants individual company meetings and engagement

April 2022 | RTP 3.0 Feasibility Study Kickoff

RTP 3.0 Feasibility Study Kickoff

Fall 2021 | 300 in 100

Engagement with RTP companies

Vision and lifestyle

How does RTP 3.0 support workforce goals?

What recreational opportunities are available?

Development and growth

What is the timeline for development under RTP 3.0?

How will existing businesses in RTP be affected?

How does this benefit developers?

Does RTP 3.0 support specialized research facilities such as wet labs, clean rooms or advanced manufacturing?

Can companies expand or modify campuses under RTP 3.0 as their operations grow?

Regional engagement and infrastructure

How does RTP 3.0 align with Durham and Wake growth plans?

How do we ensure connectivity between these density nodes?

How will RTP connect to regional transportation?

What is the Triangle Mobility Hub?

Will there be a pedestrian bridge across I-40?

Where can I get more information?

RTP landowners can submit applications under the enhanced development standards starting on July 16.

To inquire about the RTP 3.0 application process, please reach out to planning@rtp.org.

Can't miss updates

From RTP 3.0 news and milestones to leadership insights, stay informed on the latest developments shaping the future of the Park.

Business North Carolina

RTP plans news development options in key strategy shift

Triangle Business Journal

RTP hurtles toward mixed-use after key votes

WUNC News North Carolina

Research Triangle Park's past, present and future

Business North Carolina

Urban renewal: RTP leaders reshape the famous park

Triangle Business Journal

RTP at a crossroads

Triangle Business Journal

RTP 3.0 zoning clears final public hurdle

ABC 11

Businesses excited as 'RTP 3.0' moves forward

WRAL

RTP 3.0: Durham, Wake counties on board for mixed use development to create destination hub

RTP 3.0 Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about RTP 3.0? Explore our FAQs to learn more about the initiative’s vision, development opportunities and regional impact.

RTP 3.0 Overview

What is Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina?

The plan supports new housing, retail, restaurants, hotels, greenways and entertainment options alongside RTP’s research and technology ecosystem.