Durham City Council voted to move forward with negotiations for the downtown 505 West Chapel Hill Street redevelopment by Peebles Corporation, but only after significantly strengthening affordable housing requirements. The council voted 5-1 to approve an amended motion requiring the city to retain a ground lease option and demanding either substantial additional affordable housing units or an annual rent cap not exceeding 6 percent. Mayor Pro-Tem Middleton dissented, arguing that rewriting terms mid-process without financial analysis was "borderline irresponsible." The council also approved a $250,000 contract with HRNA Advisors for consulting services. Council Member Chelsea Cook raised concerns that developers received the amended motion language a full day before public release, highlighting the procedural tension that marked the debate.
The redevelopment drew dozens of residents and community leaders demanding more affordable units. Stella Adams from the Durham Committee on Affairs of Black People, Cynthia Williams from the Coalition for Affordable Housing and Transit, Reverend James Blake, and others testified that 92 proposed affordable units are insufficient when the project includes 100 hotel rooms. Many called for 120 or more affordable units and urged the city to pursue ground lease ownership to ensure lasting affordability. Nicole Thompson from Downtown Durham Inc. urged council to coordinate this project with five nearby development sites totaling 30 acres to avoid missed synergies.
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