Architects said Wednesday that people heading to the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh will notice big changes during the next few decades.

HH Architecture and State Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler laid out a master plan to make around 50 phased improvements, adding up to about $120 million worth of work.

HH Architecture Reveals Master Plan for NC State Fairgrounds

Architects said the changes include 70,000 square feet of exposition space, new parking lots, fewer gates to access the grounds, a new campsite and a ground tram to transport people around the fairgrounds.

“I think it’s important to have a long range plan and not do things piecemeal, so that when we’re done everything fits together,” Troxler said.

Troxler said the fairgrounds is a self supporting operation, meaning projects will be paid through revenues generated by renting out its facilities and through the N.C. State Fair.

“We have to watch our costs and make good business decisions to be able to generate the revenue to do anything we’re going to do here on the fairgrounds,” he said.

Architects said they will now prioritize projects and will begin them as the fairgrounds earns money to pay for them.

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