Cary Towne Center nonetheless sits vacant two years after Epic Games HQ was set to be full :: WRAL.com

What’s left of the outdated Cary Towne Center sits vacant, surrounded by fences.

Once Epic Games purchased the property, the plan was to finish its new headquarters by 2024.

Two years later, there was no new improvement.

“I’d hate to be living near it,” stated Patricia Forrest, who used to dwell in Cary.

“They took away the mall, and they haven’t done anything since then,” Shirley Robinson stated. “It’s kind of sad.”

WRAL Investigates requested Epic Games:

• What is Epic Games’ plan for the outdated Cary Towne Center?
• Does the corporate plan to maintain holding onto the property? 

• Will Epic Games reapply for zoning sooner or later?
• Some name the Cary Towne Center an eyesore. What is the corporate’s response to folks annoyed by the dearth of improvement there up to now? 

An organization spokesperson, Cat McCormack, would solely say: “We don’t have any updates to share on our plans for the Cary Towne Center but continue to maintain the property and its security. We’ve engaged with the town manager’s office and economic development representatives since we purchased the property.”

Here’s a timeline of the Cary Towne Center:

2014: Sears pronounces closure at Cary Towne Center

2015: Cary’s Planning and Zoning Board unanimously authorized a rezoning request to permit Topgolf to maneuver into the outdated Sears location. That identical 12 months, the corporate pulled out of its plans on account of neighborhood pushback.

2017: Cary Town Council unanimously authorized plans to construct an IKEA on a part of the Towne Center property.

2018: Then-town supervisor Sean Stegall confirmed IKEA wouldn’t be coming to Cary.

2020: Wake County and Raleigh City Council authorized funding for a sports activities advanced on the Towne Center. Cary initially deliberate to find the ability in Cary Towne Center however later shifted the deliberate location to South Hills. That challenge was additionally delayed after residents voted down a bond referendum.

2021: Epic Games bought Cary Towne Center for its new headquarters.

2025: WRAL realized the rezoning request was withdrawn on account of “inactivity.”

“Ten years ago, my kids and I went to the Cary Towne Center a lot because there’s playground in the mall,” stated councilmember Bella Huang. “When it’s gone, we were expecting a new construction will be there, maybe a sports venue, maybe a shopping center, but nothing had been changed over the years.”

Huang stated the city has no authority over the property.

“It’s private land, so the town couldn’t do anything with it,” Huang stated. “We couldn’t do anything to force them to develop their land, but our community residents could talk to them.”

Huang stated she didn’t have luck reaching out to the corporate. However, Town Manager Scot Berry stated he talks with representatives with Epic Games “from time to time.”

“[It’s] especially frustrating for me, not only for me,” Huang stated. “I think a lot of residents see that’s a premium location in Cary, and across the road is Fenton. Look at the Fenton now. It’s very popular, and we would love to see something great at the old Cary Towne Center area.”