Guest columnist
I attended Durham's Board of County Commissioners meeting Monday night. The primary issue on the agenda concerned technical issues of the validity of a survey that would affect the proposed mixed-use development of 164 acres along NC 751 in southern Durham. Many who opposed the development focused on the potential environmental impact that the development may impose on Jordan Lake.
While I believe those concerns deserve to be heard, they are uncertain at best and, in part, exaggerated in an attempt to kill the development before anyone has had a fair opportunity to analyze the many direct and indirect benefits of the developers' plan for Durham.
However, I would like to address another argument on which opponents of the proposed development focused -- that the proposed mixed-use development will only benefit wealthy, white residents.
This suggestion is inaccurate and severely short-sighted. Moreover, it is surprisingly and brazenly race-baiting, especially when the developers are reaching out to the black community to help make this an all-around win for Durham residents of every color and economic background.
Even if one accepts the comments expressed with confident certainty by one opponent -- that the development will only directly serve the needs of those earning $100,000 or more annually -- what was not mentioned is the key to understanding the dynamic effect of economic development.
Recognize, the homeowners and business owners who do buy in the 751 development, whether they earn $50,000 or $500,000 annually, will need associated goods and services in order to maintain and improve their homes and businesses. They will hire lawn-care and landscaping services, they will purchase furniture and daycare services, they will hire cleaning services and buy everyday-living goods, food and supplies.
Those who supply these goods and services are the individuals who will really benefit from this development on an on-going basis. And these are lower-to-medium wage jobs that have been hurt by the economic downturn and in need of renewed demand. Development has a cascading positive effect on Durham's residents -- on all Durham residents, not just those who will actually live in or do business in and around the proposed 751 development.
So indeed a cross-section of Durham workers and residents will benefit from this project, not just professional engineers, developers, bankers and construction companies on a short-term basis.
Finally, Durham is not an island. Development in south Durham does not necessarily pull away investment and business from other areas of Durham. At the meeting, Kathryn Spann stated: "Unless there is some pent-up demand for office, retail [or] residential space, we must expect the 751 development will compete with downtown revitalization efforts."
On the contrary, Durham is competing against Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, Morrisville, other localities, the general region and the nation as a whole for additional population growth and transplants.
If Durham is made more attractive as a whole, then it will be rewarded with not just a net-zero "transfer of residents" from one part of the city to another. Rather, a more attractive Durham will attract new, additional residents and a confidence that will entice growing business investment.
This will create additional taxpayer revenue and a positive climate for growth. Right now, Durham is too often the city that loses in the "competition game" to our neighbors in the Triangle and to other parts of the state, region or country.
The 751 development is a step in the right direction for positive growth and a renewed interest in investing in Durham as a whole, not just selectively downtown.
There is room and reason to promote growth in Durham in more than one area. South Durham is part of our city that needs continual investment attention in this manner, and it will serve to benefit the community as a whole.
Mark Avitabile is a lawyer and a financial coach who lives in southern Durham.
