New Visitor Developments

Listed below are some changes and renovations expected with existing visitor-related features in Durham as well as new items currently under development or in the planning stages. If you have any questions or would like more information about any of these visitor developments, contact Reyn Bowman, President & CEO, at reyn@durham-cvb.com or (919) 680-8300 (primary), or Jonathan Freeze, Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications, at jonathan@durham-cvb.com or (919) 680-8319.

 

Name Location Description Status Opening Date
106 W. Parrish Renovation106 W. ParrishPlans call for the renovation of the three-story, brick building located on Black Wall Street into residential, office and possibly retail or restaurant space. 106 W. Parrish RenovationSpring 2012
300 East Main300 East MainA 10,000 square-foot New York / Miami inspired facility built to hold 275 people featuring state of the art lighting, sound, and video.Under DevelopmentTBD
320 E. Chapel Hill Renovation320 E. Chapel Hill StPlans to renovate the exterior of the historic three-story building at 320 E. Chapel Hill St. to allow for two condos, office space and two different café/bar businesses on the building’s ground floor. Under ConstructionTBD
Alston Avenue ExpansionAlston Avenue to Holloway Street$19.2 million widening of one-mile stretch of Alston Avenue from the Durham Freeway north to Holloway Street. North Carolina Department of Transportation plans to make Alston Avenue a four-lane road divided by a median.Under ConsiderationMay 2014
American Tobacco Campus ExpansionAmerican Tobacco CampusTwo buildings featuring 158,000 square feet of offices, retail, residential or hotel space. One 81,000-square-foot building would sit directly northwest of DPAC; the other would wrap around the center's parking deck. TBDTBD
American Tobacco Trail (Segment from Hwy 54 South)N.C. 54 South to the Chatham County LineThis project includes the completion of four miles of the American Tobacco Trail (ATT) from NC 54 to the Chatham County line and will include a bridge across I-40 west of the I-40/Fayetteville Road interchange. The trail will be paved and will include several pedestrian signals at roadway crossings along the route.Bridge construction to begin June 2012TBD
Baldwin AuditoriumBaldwin Auditorium at Duke UniversityRenovations to Baldwin Auditorium slated to begin in Fall, 2011 with an anticipated re-opening in 2013-2014 academic year. $15 million in infrastructure upgrades to Baldwin - which was part of the original campus in 1924 - as well as upgrade the acoustics of the auditorium and furnish it with new seats and other amenities. 2013
Campus Drive Arts BuildingBetween Swift Avenue and Smith Warehouse on Campus DriveDuke will open a new arts building to provide a gathering point for campus arts organizations. The 10,000 sq.-ft. renovated warehouse space will feature a dance studio, theater rehearsal space, visual arts studio, meeting space and central lounge.Under ConstructionFall 2012
Chesterfield BuildingFormer Liggett & Myers FactoryPlan to renovated the seven-story, 360,000-square-foot former Liggett & Myers factory at the corner of Main and North Duke streets into 140,000 square feet of office space, 93 apartments, 10,000 square feet of retail space, some storage space and a rooftop swimming pool, jogging track and green space on top.Pending FinancingTBD
Circle Ninth Street2109 Hillsborough Road$47 million four-story apartment complex with 303 units, central lawn, community park, dog park, pool and fitness courtyard. Architecture style will mirror the existing style of historic Erwin Mill.Under ConstructionTBD
Circuit Drive PondIntersection of Circuit Drive, Towerview & Erwin roadsFour-acre water reclamation pond that will increase Duke’s self-sufficiency in water usage while also serving as a park. The reservoir will provide water to Duke’s chilled water plants, which satisfy most of the campus’ water needs and are the largest users of potable water.Ground-breaking, Spring 2013Spring 2012
Diamond View IIIAmerican Tobacco CampusNewest building planned for development in the American Tobacco Campus area overlooking the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The building will add an additional 130,000 square feet of retail and office space to the American Tobacco Historic District and will maintain the campus' signature style of rehabbed factories with modern features and amenities.Under ConstructionMid 2013
Documentation of African American SitesHistorical Significant Sites in DurhamPreservation Durham is conducting a three year project to identify and preserve sites of historical significance in and to the African American Community in Durham County. Currently UnderwayAnticipated completion date: Summer 2012
Downtown Durham Parking DeckCorner of Parrish and Church Streets320-space, $7.4 million parking deck which is a joint plan between Greenfire and the county. The garage will be built in 5 years on what is now a 0.8 acre city-owned surface parking lot. The county will lease 210 spots in the new deck to Greenfire and the additional 110 spots will be available to the public at an hourly rate.Construction Start 2013TBD
Duke University Central Campus RedevelopmentCampus Drive, Duke University$400 million dollar redevelopment includes 500 bed spaces for students, new space for the visual arts departments, the languages, literatures, and cultural studies departments, the John Hope Franklin Institute, new classrooms, a library commons, and dining, recreation and other services that will serve the needs of the campus community. Minimum of LEED Silver certification is the target for all construction with some buildings to be identified for higher goal. Construction UnderwayTBD
Duke University Special Libraries RenovationWest CampusModernization of the Rare Book, Manuscript and Special Collections Library and transformation of the 1928 West Campus library building and its 1948 addition into a state-of-the-art research facility.David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library2015
Durham Central MarketDowntown Durham10,000 square foot neighborhood co-op grocery located on Mangum Street between Hunt and Broadway Streets with a parking lot and 3500 sq. feet of green space.TBD
Durham Central Park Cohousing Community132 Hunt St Durham Central Park Cohousing Community closed on the purchase of less than an acre of land downtown at 132 Hunt St., which is where they plan to build a four-story, 24-unit condominium to be shared by 20 families. Construction is slated to begin in Sept 2012.November 2013
Durham County Courthouse Art WallDurham County CourthouseCompilation of the photographs for the art wall in the new Durham County Courthouse is complete, final selections will be reviewed before the project is assembled.Under ReviewTBD
Durham County Human Services Complex400 block of E Main St, Government Services District, Downtown Durham$70 million 277,000-sq. ft. complex that will house the Durham Center, Public Health Department, and Department of Social Services. Phase 1: Construct a 4- to 6-story building to house the Public Health Department. Phase 2: Demolish the former health department building and construct another 4- to 6-story building across a central courtyard from the first.Under ConstructionDecember 2012
Durham County Justice BuildingBetween South Mangum and Roxboro Streets$116 million dollar project to build an 11-story, 298,500 sq.-ft. building. Project will include a 900-space parking deck and a public plaza. Office will house Superior Court and District Court, various court-related offices, and provide space for the Durham County Sheriff's Office.Clear the site as soon as possible with courhouse bidding to be done by the end of 2009. Construction to begin March 1, 2010. August 2012
Durham Rescue Mission Expansion507 East Knox Street$4.5 million 34,000-square-foot expansion of Durham Rescue Mission to begin with Center for Hope addition which will add 88 more beds and include an expanded kitchen and dining room. Phase two will be dormitory buildings and the third phase will be to build permanent supportive housing.Groundbreaking in early 2012TBD
East End ConnectorDurham Freeway and U.S. 70$162 million, 16-mile project, which includes a 3.6-mile expressway between the Durham Freeway and U.S. 70 as well as improvements to U.S 70.Construction begins 2013-14TBD
Erwin Square Restaurant & Retail CenterNinth Street & HillsboroughShopping center anchored by Harris Teeter with space designed to house restaurants and retail.Under DevelopmentTBD
Farmers Organization of Durham MarketSouth DurhamThe Durham County Farmland Protection Advisory Board and the Durham and Orange county Extension offices are organizing a market to service South Durham - pending location. Pending LocationSpring 2012
Five Points Project102 Morris StreetRenovation of Five Points Buildings into residential, restaurant, office and retail space. Flagship businesses include: Bullseye Bicycle, All City Pizza, The Cupcake Bar and Center Studio Architecture.Under ConstructionSpring 2012
Greenfire City Center RedevelopmentDowntown Durham$284 million in downtown Durham to redevelop and create over 1 million sf (not including parking) of mixed use space. Greenfire is working with the City of Durham on a public/private partnership to redevelop within a 12-block area surrounding the Parrish Street corridor. Projects include: Rogers Alley, Boutique Hotel and Spa, Orange Street Mixed Use, Parrish Street Office Tower, Ramseur Residential, East Parrish Street Mixed Use.
Historic Durham Athletic Park RedevelopmentCorner of Corporation St and Morris StreetSecond phase includes building the Minor League Baseball Fan Experience and Museum. Also, plans are to build a large facility that would overlook center and right fields.TBDTBD
History Hub521 West Morgan StreetMuseum of Durham history to be located in the former DATA bus hub at 521 West Morgan Street. Summer 2012
Hollow Rock Access Area at New Hope Creek32 acres in Durham County along Erwin RoadPhase 1 consists of building nature trails, information signs, bird-watching platforms, a parking lot, pedestrian bridges, bike racks, a picnic ground; renting portable toilets; and moving the old Hollow Rock Store building to the site and restoring it for a visitors' center. Phase 2 adds permanent restrooms and more trails, but is contingent upon closing the dirt section of little-used Pickett Road.Under DevelopmentTBD
Hummingbird Bakery725 Broad Street Amy Tornquist's new bakery project "Hummingbird" to be located on the first floor of 725 Broad Street. Under ConstructionTBD
Leigh Farm ParkSouthwest Durham89-acre park will include an 18-hole disc golf course, three buildings for Triangle Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic; and restoration of the historic garden of heirloom flowers. Constuction Underway2012
Library - Main BranchDurham County Library on North Roxboro StreetProposed $10.8 million renovationo to the current building including a reorientation of the entrance to the Liberty St. side straight into the second floor of the building, providing a more visible entry to improve the perception of security and to align the entry with downtown, regrading the eastern side of the site to replace the two long, sometimes distant parking "strips" with a parking lot closer to the building itself, and interior renovations to recapture space lost to inefficient mechanical systems and stairs, with a net addition of possibly 9,000 sq. ft. in a 65,000 sq. ft. shell. TBD
Maureen Joy Charter School RelocationY.E. Smith School PropertyPlans call for the renovation of the former Y.E. Smith School building to house the Maureen Joy Charter School which would allow the Charter to double its capacity. 2013
NCCU Expansion ProjectNCCU, 1801 Fayetteville StFour phases of development will expand the growing NCCU campus. Expansion includes: adding two new parking decks, a new student union, a new library and renovation of the current library, several new commons areas, a new convocation center on Fayetteville St.NCCU ExpansionAll Phases Complete 2017
Nicholas School of the EnvironmentA 70,000-square-foot five-story, glass-and-concrete building to serve as the new home of the Nicholas School of the Environment; incorporates the highest sustainable features and technologies, and meets or exceeds the criteria for LEED platinum certification.Breaks ground in late April 2012Summer 2013
North Carolina Central University Athletics UpgradeNCCU, 1801 Fayetteville StTrustee-approved move from NCAA Division II and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association to NCAA Division I-AA and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). NCCU will start adding MEAC teams to its roster starting in school year 2006-07, and the upgrade would occur gradually over 5 years.Board of Trustees approved upgrade November 2005Complete 2011
New Science Complex: Construction began Late 2003New Science Complex: Complete June 2005
Shepard Library: Renovation began May 2004Shepard Library: Complete August 2005
Pauli Murray-Robert Fitzgerald House906 Carroll StPlans by a consortium including Duke's Pauli Murray Project to purchase and renovate the Durham childhood home of the famed activist. TBDTBD
RDU Terminal Renovation, Expansion, and RedevelopmentTerminal 1, RDU International AirportDelta, United, Continental, US Air and JetBlue have relocated to Terminal 2 as Terminal 1 is closed to passengers in preparation for a $60 million makeover. Terminal 1 will reopen with modern amenities including new bag handling system and glass elevators and with Southwest as its anchor tenant. The building's northern appendage will be closed permanently. A small museum, "Heritage Hall" will be located behind the Delta Air Lines Ticketing Counter in Terminal 2.Phase 22014
Rizzo Center ExpansionRizzo CenterThe Rizzo Center is looking at an expansion to include an additional 65 rooms and 8,000 sq ft more meeting space. 2014
Ronald McDonald House ExpansionAlexander AvenueExpansion that will add 25,000 square feet, 21 more suites and five more rooms to the house on Alexander Avenue. Under ConstructionFall 2012
The Durham Sculpture ProjectDowntown DurhamA monumental 30ft sculpture designed by Durham artist John Wendelbo, to be built in Durham and donated to the Durham community. Grassroots fundraising effort underway to pay for the $800,000 in fabrication and materials expense. Fundraising StageTBD
The Front Room1101 West Chapel Hill StThe Cookery will add a 2,500-square-foot, 200 person capacity event space called the Front Room in their current location for private dinners, receptions, workshops and pop-up restaurants. Under constructionLate summer 2012
The Measurement BuildingDowntown Durham 74,000-square-foot office and retail building in downtown Durham. Measurement Durham, a spinoff from Measurement Inc., has formed a company called Measurement Building LLC to finance and construct the five story, $12 million project. Under ConstructionJuly, 2012
The Renaissance at Durham CentreNext to existing Durham Centre tower above the Morgan Street parking deck across from Carolina Theatre15-story tower of 186 plush condos, a restaurant, and potentially a five-star hotel. Estimated cost: $50 million. Amenities could include a doorman, health club, concierge service, valet parking, security, swimming pool, and meeting and entertainment space.Construction to begin when 40% of condominiums are reservedTBD
The Spark: Downtown Boutique Hotel111 Corcoran StPlans call for converting the 17-story Hill bank building into a 165-room boutique hotel featuring penthouse condominiums, a restaurant, upscale services and spa offerings. When finished, it could be the first hotel to be LEED certified in North Carolina. A permit was issued July 5, 2011 for internal demolition work. Denver, Colo.-based Magnolia Hotels Management Co will be partnering with Greenfire on the project. Under ConstructionMid 2013
The Straw Valley ProjectIntersection of Interstate 40 and 15-501Phase 1 & 2 include a $2 million renovation of existing buildings on 4.5 acres between 15-501 and New Hope Commons. Plans will preserve wood beams and other historic details from the original artistic enclave. Will include a mix of specialty retail, banquet, and office space. Phase 3 calls for a luxury boutique hotel. Renovations Underway
Tower at LakeviewIntersection of Erwin Road and Downing StreetA $54 million, 14-story tall apartment tower. If built, it will be the tallest apartment building constructed in the Triangle in more than 30 years.Construction could begin as early as summer 20122013
Ultimate Frisbee ComplexHamplin Road, North DurhamPlans call for a six-field private park for Ultimate Frisbee players on a 22.6-acre site off Hamlin Road in north Durham. Zoning was approved by County Commissioners in September, 2011.Triangle Flying Disc Association UltiplexTBD
University Marketplace(Regency Plaza) Redevelopment3117 Shannon Rd$50 million project that includes razing the current Regency Plaza and building a mixed-use community with retail shops on the ground level and apartments or condos stretching four or five floors. Plans call for up to 140,000 sw.-ft. of commercial space and up to 389 residential units.On HoldTBD
West Main Street Repair WorkCampus Drive at Duke University’s East CampusThe City’s Water Management Department is making long-term improvements to the City’s water infrastructure by replacing major waterlines that were built in the early 1900s. Short sections of West Main Street will be closed while work is performed. Will coincide with bridge replacement project.West Main Street Repair Work2013
West Union Building RenovationDuke Campus WestWest Union building renovation calls for a completely revamped student life center as well as the creation of an events pavilion. The project is entirely funded by a $80 million gift by the Charlotte-based Duke Endowment; construction will begin July 2013 and will be completed July 2015. July 2015
Woolworth Site Redevelopment Project124 W Main StProject to redevelop 0.54 acres, on which the historic Downtown Durham Woolworth store sat, for mixed uses, including office and retail and amounting to more than 75,000 sq. ft. (at least 4 stories with potential for as many as 13 stories). Greenfire Development purchased the site.TBD

 

Developments Under Consideration

Asiatic Garden Pavilion at Sarah P. Duke Gardens
The Sister Cities of Durham Toyama Committee has worked with the Gardens to reach a preliminary agreement on structure/location; Derek Jones Architect preparing additional material for further consideration/fundraising.

City Park and Athletic Field Complex
Snow Hill Rd, just southwest of Little River Reservoir, opposite Northwood Forest neighborhood - proposed $9 million, 105-acre complex featuring 8 athletic fields and adjacent to a planned middle school. Once funding is in place, site development could take 2 years.

Duke University Central Campus
200 acres located between Duke’s East and West Campuses, now home primarily to student apartments but considered underutilized; draft development plan complete; goal to complete a more sophisticated plan for proceeding to construction of the first phase of Central Campus by Winter 2005/06; target for occupancy of new residences Fall 2008.

East End Connector
$100 million highway to link the Durham Freeway and US 70, creating a stoplight-free route from I-40 in South Durham to I-85 in Northeast Durham (estimated to start: 2012; completion 2016-17).

Emily Krzyzewski Family Life Center
Burch Ave - 11,000 sq. ft. including meeting rooms, a kitchen w/ serving areas, exercise facilities, gym with spectator seating. Still raising $6.4 million in funding.

Garrett Rd Extension
City plan to extend Garrett Rd (400 feet, $700,000) across NC 751 to NC Hwy 54; currently drivers must turn south on NC 751 and make another turn to head east or west on NC Hwy 54. Construction could start Spring 2006 and end Late 2006.

Hayti Museum Project
Former Mechanics & Farmers Bank building on Fayetteville St becomes an artifacts museum including Blues History.

Hope Valley Commons Shopping Center
26 acres at the southeastern corner of NC Hwy 751 and NC Hwy 54 rezoned in 2000 for shopping center and apartments; in Early 2005, developers submitted new rezoning application for 160,800-sq.-ft. shopping center only.

Horton Grove Cultural Park
76-acre cultural park to protect, preserve, and interpret the area around Horton Grove near Historic Stagville; both the proposed park and surrounding neighborhood are under development by Bryan Properties. Charrettes held September 2003 and February 2004; company could break ground on park and neighborhood within 3 years.

NC 147 Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge Replacement
$2 million project to replace the currently unusable Durham Freeway bridge connecting Lakewood Dr and Lakeland St with a new bridge offering better lighting and visibility; approved by City Council in November 2003; design contract finalized February 2005; construction could begin in Early 2006 with completion by Late 2006.

NC DOT Replacement of Duke East Campus Bridge
Transportation officials are considering two alternatives for the project; acquisition of property for widening begins in 2005, and construction is expected to begin in 2006.

New Durham Courthouse Complex
$80 million, six-story justice center proposed to be built between Mangum and Roxboro Sts, adjacent to Jail. County Commissioners approved plans in 2004; construction could begin in 2005, with completion by 2009.

New Hope Creek Corridor Regional Park
43 acres of former Duke Forest land purchased in April 2005 by the City and County of Durham, Orange County, and Chapel Hill to be developed for recreational use; it is the first regional park partnership between the four local governments; inter-governmental agreement, grant funding, and plans pending.

Ninth Street North, Second Phase
54,000-sq.-ft., retail and office building on the east side of the street would look similar to the existing red-brick Phase One building to the west; if construction costs and leasing plans pan out, construction could begin in July 2005.

North Carolina Central University Athletics Upgrade
Athletics director and committee studying move to NCAA Division I; proposal to be submitted to NCCU trustees by September 1, 2005, in advance of December 1, 2005, deadline to petition NCAA; potential upgrade would occur over five years, making NCCU a full-fledged Division I member by 2011.

North Carolina Central University Campus
Hospitality & Tourism Administration Program Building at Alston Ave and Lawson St; training kitchen and possibly a working lodging property.

Triangle Parkway
Proposed $69 million, 3.2-mile toll expressway connecting I-40 (between Davis Dr and S Miami Blvd) to the future I-540 north of Morrisville; endorsed by Durham City Council and County Commissioners; under review by NC Turnpike Authority in 2005.

Triangle Region Transit Consolidation Plan
A plan developed by the Triangle J Council of Governments and being considered by local governments (including Durham) to consolidate public transit services and functions under one umbrella by 2008; DATA Board approved of the plan in October 2004.

US 15-501 Widening Project
NC DOT plan to widen US 15-501 from Mount Moriah Rd to Garrett Rd (0.9 miles, $10.8 million) and to relocate its service road near Garrett Rd (0.3 miles, $3.1 million). Scheduled to begin 2007.

Valley Creek Center
16.7 acres at the NW corner of Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy and S Roxboro Rd zoned and approved for up to 130,000 sq. ft. of retail (a 110,000-sq.-ft. section and a 20,000-sq.-ft. section); seeking purchaser or awaiting final development plan.