Guest columnist
Our Department of Transportation sure does a fine job keeping our roads and bridges in good shape, but I think they are the most irresponsible property owners ever. Look at the fine job they did on Guess Road and the highway, too, exits and all. Pretty work.
Head north on Guess Road and cross under I-85. Do you admire the road work?
No, you'll be too distracted by the orange roof of that boarded-up convenience store.
It's not the roof color that draws your attention so much as the damage on both ends. Years ago, some big trucks backed into the roof and tore the orange tile off, exposing the wood which they've let rot ever since.
It's just lovely, and you can see it from the highway when you pass over Guess Road. The best view is from the south-bound lane. Glance right and see if you think, "Ooh, nice road!"
That eyesore is DOT property.
DOT is pretty rough on a property, as you can see from the roof, so they don't rent; they buy.
They needed that property to store equipment during the road work in that area, but why do they need it now?
They put the merchants in that area through a pretty lengthy construction period and those that survived now get to enjoy the abandoned property DOT left behind. Great first impression getting off at that exit.
It gets worse.
As damaging as a boarded-up property can be to an area trying to recover -- ironically, from roadwork in this case -- are the problems vacant properties often draw.
It looks like trespassers have pried open the door, but I didn't check. Too many unsavory characters standing in front of it, none of whom are trespassing, since everyone is welcome on that property. It might be a great location for your next yard sale: super visibility, lots of traffic, plenty of parking and it seems to be free.
As co-chairman of Partners Against Crime District 2, I've explained to countless property owners what is required for police to remove trespassers: a conspicuous "No Trespassing" sign and a simple form on file with Durham Police Department. Most property owners appreciate that information, but DOT is still making the executive decision.
Do they want trespassers or not? For about a year now, I've encouraged DOT to take the responsible steps, advice that was echoed to DOT by Durham police.
I hope that DOT will put up that sign and send that agreement in to our police department.
In fact, I'll take it a step further.
DOT bought that property with my tax money, and my tax money is still tied up in it. It needs to become a contributing property again, so why not sell it?
Just a few hundred yards south of this property, on the same side of the road, is more DOT abandoned property, this time a huge, expensive paving machine. It's hard to see: It has bushes growing around it.
According to aerial photos it's been there since the early 1990s. More of our tax dollars at work, left and forgotten.
I hope that's not the case with the more conspicuous boarded-up convenience store with the attractive orange roof.
Bill Anderson is co-chairman of Durham's Partners Against Crime in District 2.
