Durham City Council voted 5-2 March 16 to approve revised terms for Hayti Promise CDC, changing the ARPA funding source and removing St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation as fiscal agent. The meeting also extended the city’s Golden Belt Complex lease and opened the first public hearing on the fiscal year 2027 budget amid warnings of a difficult financial year.
- Hayti Promise CDC: The 5-2 vote changed the ARPA funding category for the $6.755 million Fayetteville Street corridor investment and removed St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation as fiscal agent. Hayti Promise CDC, established 2023, takes over. Council Members Burris and Cook voted no, citing the CDC’s recent nonprofit status, difficulty obtaining financial reports, and concerns about accountability for public dollars. A companion vote removing St. Joseph’s on a related neighborhood stabilization agreement passed unanimously. Council Member Baker requested 6-12 month ARPA reporting. City Manager Bo Ferguson said a full ARPA update is planned for April.
- Golden Belt Complex lease: Council unanimously extended the city’s Golden Belt Complex lease for five years at roughly $2 million total, with an option for a second five-year term at $2.8 million. The City Manager was authorized to execute related documents.
- Limited obligation bonds: Council approved $136 million in limited obligation bonds for city facility improvements.
- FY 2026-27 budget hearing: Council opened the first public hearing on the fiscal year 2027 budget and the 2027-32 Capital Improvement Plan. Residents testified in favor of fare-free GoDurham service funded through transit sales tax, park improvements, a living wage increase, and a permanent crossing guard at University Drive and Dixon Road.
The April ARPA briefing will be the first public accounting of how all community investment funds are tracking. The budget public hearing remains open, and the City Manager’s proposed budget will determine which resident priorities get funded.