Home Sweet Home | Eastern NC Now

Publisher's note: The author of this post, Matt Smith, is a contributor to ECU News Services.


    East Carolina University invites the public to one of Greenville's iconic locations during an open house event on Thursday, Feb. 6, from 4:30-6 p.m. at 209 E. Fifth Street in the uptown district.

    ECU's Division of Research, Economic Development and Engagement is moving from its current location at the Greenville Centre on South Charles Boulevard to the renovated building next month. Before the division's staff makes its new home in the building, the university will open the doors and invite students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends to tour the renovated space and reminisce over the building's history.

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    Formerly the home of car dealerships, restaurants and memorable night life establishments, including Rafters and The Attic, 209 E. Fifth Street made an impact on the lives of many Pirates.

    Located between ECU's Greenville campuses and within uptown, 209 E. Fifth Street is expected to facilitate REDE's mission of nurturing interdisciplinary research, innovation and outreach programs.

    "ECU's research and engagement endeavors continue to grow, and this move allows us to better serve our constituents," said Mike Van Scott, interim vice chancellor for REDE. "We will be in a central location for new programs and initiatives, such as the new Life Sciences and Biotechnology Building on the corner of 10th and Evans streets and the development of the university's millennial campus."

    Over the next five years, ECU will construct nearly 210,000 square feet of new office and institutional space in the uptown district. With increased financial participation for organizational support and the movement of jobs to the district, ECU leadership believes the decision to partner with the area will boost the local economy.

    "The relocation of ECU's REDE division will contribute to the growing vitality in the center city," said Meredith Hawke, interim executive director of Uptown Greenville. "Our district continues to flourish with the redevelopment of buildings once serving as destinations for the east."

    ECU's Division of Research, Economic Development and Engagement is a service organization focused on advancing impactful research across the university, growing the economy throughout our region and engaging with partners locally and around the globe in support of its mission.

    The division facilitates faculty and student research, scholarship and creative activities; provides administration for research compliance; promotes research that provides public service to eastern North Carolina; and assists in technology development, among other services.