🌳 Lutra Bakery Finds Permanent Home at ATC

In this issue:

• City Manager Proposes $772M City Budget

• Lutra Bakery Finds Permanent Home at ATC

• Durham Hits 300K, Eyes Greensboro

• Duke Forest Mid-Century Modern Home

Approx Read Time: 3 mins

City Manager Proposes $772M City Budget

City Manager Bo Ferguson’s 2025–26 budget proposal emphasizes employee pay, public safety, and infrastructure upgrades while responding to Durham’s rapid growth. The $772M plan (8% increase from last year) would add staff, expand the HEART crisis program, and invest in transit and water services.

• HEART Expansion Prioritized: 17 new hires would boost crisis response teams; full 24/7 coverage is a long-term goal.

• Staff Raises Included: Minimum livable wage raised to $21.90/hr as part of a continued effort to reduce turnover.

• Transit & Infrastructure Funds: $17.2M set aside for expanded bus service, plus $158M for a new water treatment plant.

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Lutra Bakery Finds Permanent Home at ATC

After a year of pop-ups and long lines for their savory-sweet buns, Lutra Bakery will open a permanent café at American Tobacco Campus by the end of 2025. The new 2,600-square-foot space will offer full breakfast and lunch service, a visible kitchen, and weekend brunch vibes.

• Expanded Menu Coming: New dishes will include biscuits and gravy, sandwiches, soups, and a “hundred-layer hash brown.”

• Pop-up to Permanent: Lutra hosted over 130 pop-ups in the past year, building buzz through collaborations and farmers market appearances.

• Chef's Local Roots: Owner Chris McLaurin, a Chapel Hill native, trained in D.C. and cooked at Poole’side Pies before launching Lutra.

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Durham Hits 300K, Eyes Greensboro

Durham officially passed the 300,000 mark in 2024, growing 6.4% since the last Census and closing in on Greensboro’s population. At this pace, Durham could soon become the third-largest city in North Carolina.

• Now at 301,870 Residents: That’s up from 283,506 in 2020, according to new Census estimates.

• Greensboro in Reach: With 307,871 people, Greensboro is now fewer than 5,500 residents ahead.

• Steady, Sustainable Growth: Durham ranked 53rd nationwide for population gains between 2023 and 2024.

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Durham Schools Face $2B in Facility Needs

At a joint meeting this month, Durham Public Schools staff unveiled the scale of the district’s capital improvement needs — a staggering $2 billion — driven by aging infrastructure, anticipated student growth, and inflationary pressures on construction costs.

• Average School Age: 59 Years Old
  DPS has over 3 million square feet of facilities built before 1970. Many schools are outdated and need upgrades to HVAC systems, plumbing, and design.

• Facility Condition Report: $965M Baseline
  A recent outside assessment identified nearly $1 billion in needed repairs, not including furniture, energy-efficiency improvements, or learning space redesigns.

• Projected Growth: 4,800+ Students in 10 Years
  To meet future enrollment, DPS may need to build 3 new elementary schools, 2 new middle schools, and 1 high school — an estimated $482M in today’s dollars.

• Planning for Equity and Efficiency
  The district is developing model school designs and considering consolidation of under-enrolled or outdated campuses into larger, modern facilities.

• Community Engagement and Bond Strategy
  With past bonds falling short due to inflation, leaders signaled a move toward a multi-bond approach and emphasized transparency, equity, and staff input in future plans.

Watch the Full Discussion >>

Duke Forest Mid-Century Modern Home

Tucked away on a 1.7-acre lot in Duke Forest, this $1.85M architectural gem by Jon Condoret blends modern design with serene, wooded surroundings. The 5-bed, 4-bath home features soaring ceilings, expansive windows, and clean lines that flood the 4,602 sq ft space with natural light. Backing directly onto the Al Buehler Trail and Duke Golf Course, the home offers privacy, access to nature, and extras like a hot tub, bocce court, and potential lap pool—just minutes from Duke’s West Campus.

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Back to the Future: The Musical
DPAC
May 20–25
Broadway’s time-traveling hit lands in Durham with music, laughs, and '80s nostalgia.
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Durham Underground Market
Durham Central Park
Sunday, May 25 | 11 AM – 3 PM
Monthly market & concert with 45+ vendors, food trucks, and live bands (12–3 PM)
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Animazement 2025
Raleigh Convention Center
May 23–25
Raleigh’s biggest anime & Japanese culture con with panels, concerts, art, merch &
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