By Gregory Childress
gchildress@heraldsun.com; 918-1046
CHAPEL HILL -- At a candidates' forum last week to discuss Chapel Hill's downtown, Durham's successful and ongoing downtown revitalization effort somehow stole the show.
Candidates in the Town Council race and those in the race for mayor pointed to Durham's success at turning its downtown around as an example of what Chapel Hill should be striving to achieve.
"We don't have a good vision for downtown," said mayoral candidate Matt Czajkowski. "Durham had one, and look at what they've done."
Candidates highlighted downtown Durham's successful mixed-use project, the American Tobacco complex, its Performance Art Center and other cultural amenities as well as its impressive lineup of restaurants, all of which some said they travel to the Bull City to enjoy.
"I never thought I'd see Durham surpass Chapel Hill ... but good for them," said mayoral candidate Augustus Cho.
Bill Kalkhof, president of Downtown Durham Inc., was pleasantly surprised to learn that the town's council and mayoral candidates have taken note of downtown Durham's success.
"Obviously we're pleased and flattered that the folks in Chapel Hill recognize the positive things going on in downtown Durham," Kalkhof said.
He attributed downtown Durham's success to strong public-private partnerships.
He said Durham asks three important questions before engaging in such partnerships: (1) Is the project consistent with Durham's Downtown Master Plan? (2) Is it good for taxpayers? (3) Does the developer need incentives to get the deal done?
Also, Kalkhof said Durham has stuck to its master plan, which is important to efforts to attract investors.
"It provides investors with the confidence of knowing what will happen," Kalkhof said.
One percent of the property tax revenue in Durham is earmarked for downtown revitalization efforts, which include giving incentives to business looking to invest there. The fund generates about $2.2 million a year.
"The value of downtown revitalization incentives is that it helps to get deals done," Kalkhof said. "That has proven to be a positive public policy. "When you put it all together, you have a package that not only benefits Durham taxpayers, but also helps get deals done."
Several candidates at forums cited a need to streamline the town's development process to make it more user-friendly for developers. They also said there is a need for consistency and predictability in the town Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Management Ordinance.
Candidates also talked about the need to improve the retail offerings in the town to counter the loss of sales tax revenue to Durham's Streets at Southpoint mall.
