[Durham INC] FW: Alston Widening

Sat Dec 18 12:09:15 EST 2010

In fairness to NCDOT, this widening plan is very old and so has had approval
of it for a long time, and is why it doesn't line up with the more livable
streets approach. And as a credit to NCDOT, they haven't pushed forward with
this project and seem to be aware to some extent of how the neighborhoods
feel. And finally, while it seems inefficient to not be able to change the
project, there are good reasons why the permitting process works the way it
does. The frustrating thing is that the permit process for a more
sustainable redesign of Alston Ave. hasn't been officially started yet.

My biggest fear for the project is that the this project will get pushed
through because it is seen as a tool for economic development. Such a busy
road will only allow cars to go faster through the neighborhood on their way
to 147 and to 40. It will not generate more business opportunities. It will
generate traffic and make it more difficult for cars to make left turns
across 3 lanes of traffic into the businesses currently there.

• This road will be a through road for commuters, it won't be used by local
traffic going to support local businesses.
• It will devalue home prices near this busy road
• It will cut off the neighborhoods east of the road, just like Rolling
Hills is cut off by 147.
• It will increase speeds on the road
• It will make the road more dangerous for pedestrians and bicycles (and
bicycles are used here for transportation, not recreation)

Thanks for listening to my little soap box.

Matt
*502 Mallard Ave.*
Cleveland-Holloway

On Sat, Dec 18, 2010 at 11:39 AM, Barry Ragin <bragin at nc.rr.com> wrote:

> "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
>>
>>
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>>
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