Successful Downtown Revitalization: Durham, NC

[Metro Jacksonville]

Successful Downtown Revitalization: Durham, NC



Much of Downtown Jacksonville's historic buildings have been demolished in previous decades. Preserving what's left may be vital to downtown's rebirth. To see the importance of historic preservation and adaptive reuse in a downtown setting, Metro Jacksonville takes a trip to Durham, North Carolina.



Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-dec-successful-downtown-revitalization-durham-nc

[bencrix]

Spent a few years in Durham and loved it. These photos indicate that it has changed a lot in the six years I've been away, but it was abundantly clear from my time there that the place had a long-term commitment to play to a major strength (adaptive reuse of great historic building stock).

A few things worth mentioning:

The American Tobacco Trail is a 22 mi rail-to-trails project that runs through downtown. It seems to be constantly expanding and connecting to a really interesting regional network of trails. http://www.triangletrails.org/

Downtown Durham is home to Merge Records http://www.mergerecords.com -- one of the longest standing and most successful independent record labels of all time. It grew from documenting the local college music scene to releasing grammy-winning records.

The map above indicates it, but it should be clear that Duke University's East Campus is immediately adjacent to the downtown's northwest. Town-gown relations haven't always been great (understatement?), but the University finally seems to have figured out that working well w/ Durham is important. Plus, several formal Duke Basketball stars were behind some of the downtown revitalization efforts (via Blue Devil Ventures and w/ mixed success). One of them (Christian Laettner, the most hated figure in college basketball history -- and the opposite for Duke fans) now calls Jax home.

[Wacca Pilatka]

Doesn't downtown Durham also have the tallest building the country with awnings?

[bencrix]

Also, there is a very nice Mellow Mushroom in the American Tobacco complex immediately adjacent to the Durham Bulls Stadium. Nevertheless, the Bulls have continued to win games, crime has not worsened and downtown redevelopment has continued.

[finehoe]

For much of the early 20th century, Downtown Durham was the center of the American cigarette industry. By 1944, Durham manufactured 1/4 of all cigarettes made in the United States. Anchored by the American Tobacco Company, Liggett & Myers, and the thousands of workers they employed, Downtown Durham was a vibrant place.

What industries are fueling Durham's revitalization today? 

[thelakelander]

Duke and being a part of the Research Triangle.

[BoldBoyOfTheSouth]

Very interesting comparison.

[tessadare]

The arts and entertainment industry, as well as foodie/restaurant/food truck culture fuels our economy now as well. (I was born in Jacksonville, visit my father there often, and have lived in Durham for the past 15 yrs.)

[krazeeboi]

Most of RTP is located in Durham County. The industries with a presence there, along with higher ed (Duke is also home to NC Central University, an HBCU), medicine (the city's nickname is "The City of Medicine"), and the arts, are largely fueling Durham's economy.