[Durham INC] FW: Alston Widening

Sat Dec 18 12:03:11 EST 2010

Isn't there supposed to be a transit stop in the area?  In that case, you want to maximize the ability to walk down to it.
Regards, pat

> Date: Sat, 18 Dec 2010 11:39:34 -0500
> From: bragin at nc.rr.com
> To: inc-list at durhaminc.org
> Subject: Re: [Durham INC] FW: Alston Widening
> 
> "While many of us who live in North East Central Durham would like to 
> see some improvements to Alston Ave. have asked for things like 
> landscaping, bike lanes, sidewalk improvements, etc. etc. *we have been 
> told the current money available can only be used for NCDOT's two 
> current options.*"
> 
> That does seem to be problematic, doesn't it? Certainly recreating, say, 
> the Guess Road widening project on Alston Ave. would be disastrous, and 
> not just for pedestrian safety but from an economic development 
> standpoint as well. I've seen other proposals put forward by, i guess, 
> concerned citizens. It's a shame that NCDOT, which by some accounts is 
> adopting a more "Livable Streets" approach in its urban projects, is 
> unable to come up with a better plan.
> 
> Thanks for explanation, Matt.
> 
> Barry Ragin
> 
> 
> On 12/18/10 11:28 AM, Matt Dudek wrote:
> > Barry,
> >
> > NCDOT has two options available: the original widening option which 
> > would demolish the Los Primos Grocery Store, and a new "environmental 
> > justice" option which would leave Los Primos, but would take property 
> > from some local businesses and the Durham Rescue Mission, and would 
> > require some tall retaining walls. There is money available for both 
> > of these options so building could be started immediately.
> >
> > While many of us who live in North East Central Durham would like to 
> > see some improvements to Alston Ave. have asked for things like 
> > landscaping, bike lanes, sidewalk improvements, etc. etc. we have been 
> > told the current money available can only be used for NCDOT's two 
> > current options. This forces us to push the No Build option and to 
> > push for future money to go for improvements.
> >
> > The widening of Alston Ave would cause irreparable harm to NECD and 
> > would destroy the continuity of the neighborhoods along Alston Avenue. 
> > All of the revitalization going on in Durham is based around walkable, 
> > tight knit neighborhoods and communities. To put a highway in the 
> > middle of that revitalization will destroy the work going on here and 
> > cut off neighborhoods from Downtown's Revitalization just like cities 
> > were cut up by highways in the era of Urban Renewal. These roads don't 
> > bring economic development, they just allow people to leave the 
> > neighborhood faster, or never stop in it.
> >
> > Matt Dudek
> > *502 Mallard Ave.*
> > Cleveland-Holloway
> >
> > On Sat, Dec 18, 2010 at 9:29 AM, Barry Ragin <bragin at nc.rr.com 
> > <mailto:bragin at nc.rr.com>> wrote:
> >
> >     "I respect the opinions of other people who *do not want or see no
> >     need for improvements* to Alston Avenue."
> >
> >     It's not clear to me that these are the only options being
> >     discussed regarding Alston Avenue. I believe that alternatives to
> >     NCDOT's proposed design of the Alston Ave. widening project have
> >     been put forth.
> >
> >     Barry Ragin
> >
> >
> >     On 12/18/10 8:52 AM, Tom Miller wrote:
> >
> >
> >         Here are comments from Don Yarboro about Alston Avenue.  I
> >         still have very serious misgivings about the project and I
> >         reject completely that we should do the project simply because
> >         DOT is offer to pay for it.   But, as we study the widening
> >         issue, I suggest that we invite someone from the NECD to share
> >         their views officially.
> >
> >         Tom
> >
> >         *From:*Donald Yarboro [mailto:donaldtms at hotmail.com
> >         <mailto:donaldtms at hotmail.com>]
> >         *Sent:* Friday, December 17, 2010 1:42 PM
> >         *To:* tom-miller1 at nc.rr.com <mailto:tom-miller1 at nc.rr.com>
> >         *Subject:* Alston Widening
> >
> >         Good Afternoon Tom,
> >
> >         I hope you and your family are enjoying the best of health and
> >         prosperity this Christmas season. I enjoyed reading the
> >         article in the Durham News about Alston Avenue and wanted to
> >         weigh in on the positive side of the widening of Alston
> >         Avenue.  I write to you as a lifelong resident of Durham, a
> >         former resident of the neighborhood and a major stakeholder in
> >         Northeast Central Durham.  During the past four years I have
> >         served on the Northeast Central Durham Leadership Council.
> >          The Council is a citizen body made up of NECD homeowners,
> >         business owners, city staff and long tenure neighborhood
> >         activates.  The council feels it is in the best interest of
> >         NECD to move forward with the widening of Alston Avenue. Pac 1
> >         has also voted to support the widening of Alston Avenue. Ernie
> >         Mills of the Durham Rescue Mission is in favor of the
> >         widening.  The widening of Alston Avenue is a need not a want
> >         for the safety and security of the neighborhood.  The NCDOT
> >         says that the accident rate on this section of Alston Avenue
> >         is some of the highest in the state. The new widening will
> >         make the road safer for traffic and pedestrians.
> >
> >         NECD has a bright future and the widening will enhance the
> >         perception of the neighborhood.  When you ride from Hwy 147
> >         (Durham Expressway) north to Holloway Street you encounter
> >         many blighted non historical and non conforming properties
> >         showing years of neglect.  The widening will justly compensate
> >         the owners for their property and this blight will be removed.
> >          I experience this firsthand when my customers arrive at our
> >         building and have already formed a negative opinion of the
> >         neighborhood.
> >
> >         The widening will have a positive effect on the short and long
> >         term economic situation in the neighborhood.  I remember when
> >         NECD had four banks.  Today there are none.  NECD was the
> >         leader in manufacturing for many years but most companies
> >         pulled out.  NECD needs jobs for their residents.  Economic
> >         activity will have a better chance to move forward with the
> >         widening of Alston Avenue.
> >
> >         Debate and discussion is healthy for any major change to a
> >         neighborhood.  I respect the opinions of other people who do
> >         not want or see no need for improvements to Alston Avenue. I
> >          hope the the above discussion points will help give you some
> >         of the positive attributes of the Alston widening.  I speak
> >         only for myself in this email.
> >
> >         Sincerely,
> >
> >         Donald Yarboro
> >
> >
> >         _______________________________________________
> >         Durham INC Mailing List
> >         list at durham-inc.org <mailto:list at durham-inc.org>
> >         http://www.durham-inc.org/list.html
> >
> >     _______________________________________________
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> >
> >
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