Durham City Council unanimously approved a $200 million bond for November's ballot—$85 million for parks and $115 million for streets—despite resident concerns about lead contamination at East End Park and bond financing costs.
Durham City Council unanimously approved a $200 million bond for November's ballot, allocating $85 million for parks and $115 million for streets and sidewalks despite resident concerns about lead contamination at East End Park.
Environmental advocates questioned whether $42 million parks budget adequately details lead remediation plans at contaminated East End Park before construction begins, expressing worry that new amenities could disturb polluted soil.
Resident Donna Frederick requested specifics on which neighborhoods will receive $60 million in sidewalk improvements, questioning why the city bonds for basic infrastructure rather than funding it through regular operating budgets.