Quick Update: TTA at West Chapel Hill and Duke St.
Since it isn't often that I get to say that I'm in complete agreement with Bill Kalkhof, I felt I should take the time to acknowledge his letter in the Herald-Sun today, urging TTA to move forward with development of the West Chapel Hill, N.Duke St., RR triangle as a high-density mixed-use development. The Amshack and the A&P/Duke Power/'new' bus station are not the best use of this critically located property, and I'd hate to see it sit in limbo for years while TTA tries to figure out its purpose in life.
So, well put Bill, I couldn't agree more, and I'm sure you would agree that such development is compatible with and should include the preservation of the old 1920s electrical supply business at 303 South Duke St.
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6 comments:
I had noticed the new bus company logo on the Chapel Hill St. side car dealership building a while ago. At least it's getting some use, no? (Note that I haven't seen it in use, despite the new sign.)
If TTA owns the building, what's the harm is seeing it lie vacant until the area improves? I think it's too early for mixed-use development.
As to the transit station, I thought I read on this site that the alternate location to West Village / behind the Chesterfield building was the vacant plot on the south side of Chapel Hill St. just across the street from NC Mutual.
Dave
It was always a bizarre setup - the Amtrak station was to be in the Walker Warehouse, on the north side of the tracks. The TTA station was to be in this triangle. And the bus/cab/whatever else station was/is to be on the Heart of Durham lot. Kind of a de-union station.
The bus station logo is on the Duke Power building - which I believe is the old A&P building. Absolutely - I'd rather it get some use than be empty. But since everything else is abandoned, I don't want to give TTA a pass for what I ding all these slumlords for - land speculation causing negative externalities.
GK
Your Monday, March 26th blog entry does not have a link for comments, and so I am asking on the older entry. Where/How did you learn about the coin toss? How did the 1914 fire begin? How many buildings were involved?
When did West Main St become one-way?
Thank so much for your blog!
coco
Thanks coco! I somehow mistakenly deactivated those comments. They are now activated, and I've responded to your questions at that post.
GK
That property was for sale a few years ago by Durham as surplus property, even though the city knew it was going to be demolished one day if/when TTA's light rail came around. Perhaps TTA had already purchased it but the city forgot to remove it from their surplus properties list? Hmmm...
That electrical supply building is fantastic, and it has always irked me that TTA planned to demolish it for surface parking, just like they plan to do to Sam's Quick Shop on Ninth Street/Erwin Road.
What a great gateway building this could be for people entering the Brightleaf district from the Durham Freeway. Or I guess it could be a gateway parking lot, funded once again with our tax dollars. Arggh.
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