[Durham INC] FW: Alston Widening

Mon Dec 20 14:56:01 EST 2010

It is a mis-construction of my position (that I think was part of what the Durham News article Mr. Yarboro originally referenced) that I am against improving Alston Ave- making it safer or less blighted is something I think anyone in the community will absolutely stand behind. However, widening the road to the extent they are planning, and cutting off my neighborhood (Old East Durham) from Downtown is not, in my opinion, a good way to go about achieving those goals.

Tom- I think your suggestion of bringing NECD leadership to an INC meeting is very wise, I would be very interested in hearing their opinions. And I think INC might be interested in hearing some of the suggestions from the NECD transportation committee.

-chloe palenchar
2111 E main St

Date: Sat, 18 Dec 2010 12:09:15 -0500
From: matt.dudek at gmail.com
To: bragin at nc.rr.com
CC: inc-list at durhaminc.org
Subject: Re: [Durham INC] FW: Alston Widening

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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