Quick Updates: Human Services and Alston Ave.

Two quick updates today:

On the Human Services complex, I evidently underestimated the number of structures the County is going to tear down for surface parking. The surface parking lot in the 500 block of East Main will, evidently extend all the way back to Ramseur, not just Peabody. I've corrected my 'site plan' at the original post.

On the Alston Avenue Widening, Alison Carpenter, recently of the Bike/Ped division for the city, added some good points on the ABCD listserv, as well as some links to the city's documents about the widening. Here they are:

"Some of [my concerns] include the fact that this project will cost @ $23
million and displace 10-20 minority families in Northeast Central
Durham. In addition, the roadway design is over-engineered for the
space it will occupy and threatens the vitality of an economically-
disadvantaged area that is verging on a renaissance with the
redevelopment of the Golden Belt warehouse, HOPE VI redevelopment
adjacent to Eastway Elementary and recent Barnes Ave project. The
potential consequences of a poorly designed roadway widening include
the death of a community, fewer kids able to walk safely to Eastway
Elementary school or nearby East End Park, beautiful historic
housing stock lost to blight because no one will want to live next
to a 4-6 lane divided highway, and the unfortunate failure of
foresight necessary to prevent such circumstances."

City Link:

http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/agendas/2006/cws20061106/AttachmentsList.cfm#3438