School leaders working to revive and renew area around Shaw University
Shaw University administrators want to revive and renew the campus. Located in the heart of downtown Raleigh, they plan to file a request with the city to rezone some of the university’s property — making way for new development like high-rises up to 40 stories tall.
"We are fighting to still be here," said Shaw University President Paulette Dillard.
Dillard said the university has faced challenges recruiting students, faculty and staff at private liberal arts institutions.
"The competition for students is probably the most aggressive that it's been at sometime," said Dillard.
On Monday, administrators shared their new game plan to attract students and staff. While the high rises aren’t a guarantee, university officials said this gives them more flexibility on what can be built.
"This is an opportunity for us to drive revenue that doesn't affect students. This is all part of using our land and leveraging it for the betterment of the university and the students," said Kevin Sullivan, Shaw's vice president of real estate and strategic development.
University officials said leasing land to developers could help generate revenue to support the need for new residence halls, a student center and library among other facilities.
"Our facilities are, frankly, antiquated and so what we need to do is, we've got to have new facilities," said Sullivan.
"If we're going to continue and succeed, we've got to build a university infrastructure that attracts and retains students. Without them, there's no point in Shaw," he said.
While some residents said they welcome the change, others, like Carmen Cauthen, with family ties to the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, worry about it losing its character.
"I always have a concern that Black history is going to get lost. I want to be sure that doesn't happen," said Cauthen.
But, Dillard said the rezoning is a way to move Raleigh and the university forward.
"I envision Shaw University as Raleigh's premier urban university," said Dillard.
