Faces to Watch in 2025: She Leads Major Changes in Downtown
In 2024, the drama surrounding the relocation of Raleigh’s Red Hat Amphitheater was, well, red hot.
Kerry Painter, director and general manager of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex, played a crucial role in conversations surrounding the fate of the amphitheater. Her leadership will continue to be paramount as the city moves through some big changes, including the massive undertaking that is the expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center.
Painter’s job means that she is in charge of Red Hat Amphitheater, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, the Raleigh Convention Center and Coastal Credit Union Music Park.
She also oversees a project that is critical to the future of tourism and business conventions in Downtown Raleigh — the expansion of the convention center. In order for the convention center to expand, Red Hat Amphitheater needs to move. In order for Red Hat to move, Raleigh City Council needed to approve the permanent closure of a portion of South Street. Not to mention, Omni Hotels & Resorts is planning to open its 27-story hotel — packed with amenities — in 2027.
“Unfortunately, there is no other way to fit the (amphitheater) at that capacity on the site. We’ve turned, we’ve pivoted, we’ve tried to build up a little,” she said. “There’s just no other way to get the amenities you need for artists, enough plaza and egress and bathrooms and then the seats on the site, without falling over (the) South Street block.”
Downtown business owners took the council vote as an opportunity to express just how critical the amphitheater is to their success. In September, Raleigh City Council approved the South Street closure, paving the way for Red Hat’s relocation.
With that hurdle cleared, Painter has a big couple of years ahead. Construction on Red Hat plans to start in the early part of this year, with the hope of finishing in time to host acts in 2026. The convention center expansion is expected to be completed in 2028.
Painter’s part in seeing the convention plans through is ramping up. Design options are now on the city’s website, and planners have begun holding informational meetings about the expansion. Current design options include curvy, edgy and rounded. The city will decide on the design early this year and construction will start in 2026.