The board that manages Raleigh-Durham International Airport has approved plans for a new development around Lake Crabtree.
The RDU board announced Thursday it had selected Dallas-based real estate firm Pacific Elm Properties to redevelop 136 acres near Aviation Parkway and Interstate 40. The firm is looking to build a "recreation and wellness destination," that could potentially include outdoor recreation facilities, restaurants, shops, and hotels.
"Pacific Elm Properties shares our vision of building an innovative destination that serves outdoor enthusiasts and supports the increasing demand for air travel at RDU," Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, said in a press release. "This is an opportunity to enhance our region’s outdoor offerings while creating a valuable revenue stream for our growing airport."
Land around the lake is home to Lake Crabtree County Park, a very popular Wake County recreation area that contains more than 16 miles of trails. Trail activists, cyclists and local residents earlier this year expressed opposition to development plans in the area.
Wake County leased the land for Lake Crabtree Park for $1 a year. But new rules from the Federal Aviation Administration stipulates that airports must get fair-market value for any land they own.
The airport and Pacific Elm will hold a series of community forums on the development on Aug. 19, Sept. 23 and Oct. 21. Trails around the lake closed when the county's lease with RDU Airport expired last month.
Eli Chen contributed to this report.
