➡️ Another round of facility improvements at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park will soon be getting underway. ➡️ Despite rising costs, construction of the Durham Housing Authority’s new Elizabeth Street Apartments will be able to move forward with the help of the City. ➡️ Rising construction costs are also impacting another Durham Housing Authority project that is part of the 519 East Main and Liberty Street site.
- We’re developing a strategy for determining how to spend American Rescue Plan funds, and we’re making sure resident input is considered. - We’re supporting Durham’s economic recovery with two projects in particular focusing on the leisure and hospitality industry. - An organization working to help low-income residents facing eviction will be getting more financial backing from us.
Officers with the Durham Police Department are continuing their work to engage with our community in a variety of positive ways. If you’re interested in transportation projects for our area, the regional planning organization wants to hear from you. We will soon be taking an artistic approach to preventing cigarette butt litter at three GoDurham bus stops.
- We’re taking an innovative new approach to reducing bacteria and nutrient-overload in Northeast Creek and Jordan Lake. - The Morgan Rigsbee Parking Garage will soon be getting another retail tenant to help add pedestrian traffic downtown. - The creation of the City and County’s Minor Repair and Substantial Rehabilitation Programs is moving forward.
- The work to determine whether the Triangle should move forward with a regional commuter rail project is continuing. - If you’re looking for a chance to hear some great live music this summer, Durham Parks and Recreation has you covered. - If movies are more your thing, Durham Parks and Recreation has free events for you as well this summer.
➡️ Give your feedback by June 15 on the @TheDurhamPolice chief search. ➡️ Vote by June 6 to select the winning @PBDurham_NC community projects. ➡️ Regular weekly yard waste collections resume June 1.
City Council members are considering a property tax rate increase to help support the City’s work for the coming year. Durham residents who are behind on their rent and facing eviction due to COVID-19 may soon be able to get some help. The Police Department’s First Quarter Crime Report is out showing that Part 1 violent and property crimes were down in the first three months of the year.
- The City and its transportation partners want to hear from you about several possible scenarios for the Durham Transit Plan Update. - The redevelopment of the former Police Department Headquarters is facing a significant challenge. - The Downtown Durham Business Improvement District is continuing to provide a variety of services to downtown business owners and visitors.
➡️ New partnerships to help underrepresented communities have more input in local decision-making. ➡️ Surplus properties to prioritize development of more affordable housing. ➡️ Water and sewer rates going up slightly in July.
Watch #BullCityWrap: ➡️To help downtown Durham’s economy recover from #COVID19, @movesafedurham announces temporary parking programs. ➡️Details finalized for the North Roxboro Street Sidewalk Project. ➡️@DurhamWater project to renew our sanitary sewer collection system moves forward.
- We’re continuing our financial support for the development of more affordable housing in Durham. - Signs recognizing the contributions of one of Durham’s most prominent historical figures will be visible to drivers along N.C. Highway 147. - The Durham Performing Arts Center Oversight Committee’s annual report shows that despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Center’s management company is working hard to prepare for reopening.
- Our $160 million investment in affordable housing and services for our low-income residents is now called Forever Home Durham. - The City Council is considering the best ways to move forward with Durham’s commitment to build equitable and green infrastructure. - If you’re interested in saving water, energy, and money as well as winning prizes, Mayor Steve Schewel is encouraging you to sign up now for this month’s Pledge for Water Conservation.
- Planned parking rate increases scheduled to go into effect this month are now being put on hold until early next year. - The multi-year process to upgrade two of our water treatment plants is now complete. - 175 small, minority, and women-owned local businesses are benefitting from our Durham Small Business Recovery Fund.
- Durham City Council is expected to vote April 5 on guidelines for developing next year’s budget. - The City’s two lakes are now open for recreational fishing and boating. - Durham’s 2021 Earth Day Celebration will be taking place, but it will look a little different this year.
We’re continuing our work to make sure the water distribution infrastructure throughout Durham is functioning like it should. Two locations in Durham will soon be made safer with new traffic signals as part of our Vision Zero program. If you or someone you know are interested in becoming a Durham firefighter, now is the time to apply.
The Durham Belt Line Trail is a significant step closer to becoming a reality. We are partnering with two community organizations to make sure people experiencing homelessness, especially during these challenging times, get the support they need. Our Transportation Department has launched the Better Bus Project to provide safe pedestrian access and increased comfort at bus stops.
- Construction of the JJ Henderson Seniors new affordable housing project is ready to move forward. - The City and County are joining efforts to make sure that federal emergency rental assistance gets to low-income households in the most efficient way. - If you regularly travel on Willard Street, our Transportation team wants to hear from you.
- Most residents are pleased with how our employees served our community during the pandemic. - Our annual water treatment disinfection changeover process is underway until April 12. - 22 neighborhoods and 198 lane miles will soon benefit from a pavement preservation project.
- Dedicated housing funds will soon create more affordable rental housing. - Solid waste collection trucks are going high tech. - Local artist to help make West Club Boulevard safer for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
-City Council supports federal guaranteed income. -The Durham Police cites increase in aggravated assaults & motor vehicle thefts as what drove crime rise in 2020. -Durham Transportation to improve motorist, bicyclist & pedestrian safety at 8 intersections.
- Our Community Development team and Housing for New Hope are working to address the increased need for homeless services because of the COVID-19 pandemic. - City Council has hired Developmental Associates to conduct the search for our new City Manager. - Plans are in the works by our Transportation team for a busy section of North Roxboro Street to be more accessible for pedestrians.
- Our second round of participatory budgeting is launching soon and we need your help. - We’re joining forces with Durham County to boost programs that provide repairs for elderly or disabled low-income homeowners. - We’re also coordinating efforts with Durham County to address violent crime through Bull City United.
- There’s still time if you want to take advantage of the City’s free options for getting rid of your live Christmas tree. - City leaders are taking more action to protect residents from discrimination in employment and public accommodations. - If you’re an entrepreneur looking for a way to develop and test your product or services, you can now apply for the 2021 Innovate Durham Program.
Watch Bull City Wrap: - Outdoor dining in non-traditional locations will continue in Durham for as long as we are under a State of Emergency due to COVID-19. - The City and its partners are having to take a different approach to keeping those who are homeless safe and warm on the coldest nights this winter because of the pandemic. - A Comprehensive Gang Assessment will be added this year to the City and County’s normal Gang Reduction Strategy.
[12:21 PM] Blalock, Amy Listen Bull City Wrap now! - Reliable internet coming for @dhacomm residents. - Public input incorporated into @GoTriangle’s Greater Triangle Commuter Rail Study & #EngageDurham Transit Plan. - @RTI_Intl study to help determine if first responder services align with community needs
· The bylaws guiding the new Durham Community Safety and Wellness Task Force have been finalized. · A significant street repair and repaving project will improve 36 lane miles. · A project to remove and replace over 15,000 square feet of existing damaged sidewalk is set to get underway
- The City and North Carolina Central University are taking steps to keep students, faculty, and staff as safe as possible. - Water customers who are at risk of having their service cut off because of non-payment have options available to them to prevent that from happening. - Approximately $3.4 million will be spent to rebuild 11 lane miles of streets throughout the city.
-Durham Parks and Recreation is using grant funds to help pay for remote learning support during the COVID-19 crisis. -The work of Durham’s Welcome Home program during the COVID-19 crisis is also being supported by State grant funds. -The City and County are taking more steps to protect the Little River watershed and Durham’s supply of high-quality drinking water.
-We’re making progress toward developing a plan to achieve racial equity within our organization. -Efforts to gather resident input for the Comprehensive Plan Update from all of Durham’s communities will continue throughout the winter. -The City Council is considering whether any changes should be made to public street lights that have been converted to LED lights.
- Plans for more affordable rental housing in Durham are moving forward. - Funding for engineering services at the Williams Water Treatment Plant has been approved. - The LGBTQ Center of Durham will soon benefit from Participatory Budgeting funds.
