<div dir="ltr">Please cross post. All residents in Durham should participate in this redevelopment effort. Very few sites "close in" with this amount of acreage that will come up for redevelopment. We should all participate and support the work Walltown started and use this as a benchmark for Small Area Planning. <br><div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <b class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">Brandon J. Williams</b> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:brandonjhudson@gmail.com">brandonjhudson@gmail.com</a>></span><br>Date: Tue, May 28, 2024 at 12:27 PM<br>Subject: TOMORROW: Northgate Mall Redevelopment Meeting (5-29 at 6pm)<br>To: Brandon J. Williams <<a href="mailto:brandonjhudson@gmail.com">brandonjhudson@gmail.com</a>><br></div><br><br><div dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000">Dear Walltown neighbors and Durham residents,</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><br></font><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">The Walltown Community Association asks people across Durham to </span><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">attend a virtual rezoning meeting TOMORROW, Wednesday, May 29th, from 6pm to 7pm</span><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">. It is hosted by Northwood Investors, the company that owns Northgate Mall. <u style="background-color:rgb(255,255,0)">You need to register to attend online, but you can also call in (instructions below)</u>.</span></font></p><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><br></font><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000">Help us tell Northwood Investors that if they want to rezone Northgate Mall, they need to participate in the City's official Small Area Planning process.</font></span></p><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><br></font><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Since 2018, Walltown has led efforts to create a community-centered vision for Northgate Mall (see our report "</span><a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60172f212e514a5b86eda855/t/608401f56a87341dd3dacf40/1619264025196/Northgate+Mall+Redevelopment+Survey+Report+%284.24.2021%29.pdf" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">Building a Place for All People</span></a><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">"). We have engaged over 600 residents through surveys, focus groups, presentations, and </span><a href="https://youtu.be/xsZXjeP-ADc" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">a 2021 press conference</span></a><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">.</span></font></p><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><br></font><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">In February 2023, we designed </span><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pI_5IuroUek4_UYH6ghg4sMzB5UESmQH/view" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">an alternative plan focused on community needs</span></a><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">, not just scientific labs. Our priorities for redevelopment include:</span></font></p><ul style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:6pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><span style="font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Affordable Housing:</span><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> 30% of units priced for people earning $37,222 or less per year.</span></font></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><span style="font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Affordable Retail:</span><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> A grocery store paying living wages, and spaces for local, BIPOC-owned businesses.</span></font></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><span style="font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Community Spaces:</span><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> A greenspace connecting to Walltown Park and a community space like a library branch with a Walltown history hub.</span></font></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:6pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><span style="font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Environmental Sustainability:</span><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> Reducing the amount of concrete surface to limit impacts of stormwater flooding and <a href="https://www.epa.gov/heatislands#:~:text=Heat%20islands%20are%20urbanized%20areas,as%20forests%20and%20water%20bodies." target="_blank">heat islands</a>.</span></font></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:10pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><b>The City of Durham’s Small Area Planning process for Northgate Mall is the best path to an equitable redevelopment that achieves these priorities</b> and benefits everyone involved (</span><a href="https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/departments/neighborhood-plans" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">learn more about Small Area Plans</span></a><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">).</span></font></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:18pt;margin-bottom:4pt"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4" color="#000000">Background</font></span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000">Four years ago, Northwood Investors started buying Northgate Mall. By 2019, they owned the whole property except the old Macy's building (which is owned by Duke University Health System).</font></span></p><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><br></font><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000">In 2021, Northwood proposed a plan with housing, retail, and office space. However, it did not meet community expectations. They said they would negotiate community benefits when requesting a zoning change to build taller buildings (Phase Two).</font></span></p><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><br></font><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000">In 2022, Northwood proposed a new plan focused on scientific research labs and offices. Again, it did not consider the community’s needs.</font></span></p><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><br></font><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">In February 2024, thanks to Walltown’s efforts, the City of Durham agreed to develop a Small Area Plan for Northgate Mall and the surrounding area. </span><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Walltown believes this planning process allows all stakeholders (the City, residents, Northwood, and Duke) to design and develop the site together.</span></font></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:18pt;margin-bottom:4pt"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4" color="#000000">What's Happening Now?</font></span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Northwood's new plan includes scientific labs, retail, and housing. While an improvement, it still does not meet our neighborhood and city's needs.</span><span style="font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> On Wednesday, Northwood is hosting a required community meeting for their rezoning application. </span></font></p><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><br></font><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000">According to their letter, "The developer is considering submitting an application to request a rezoning to Commercial General with a development plan (CG(D)) to allow for Research and Development uses in addition to office, retail, residential, and amenity/park space."</font></span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:18pt;margin-bottom:4pt"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:rgb(255,255,0)"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" size="4" color="#000000">Attend the Virtual Meeting</font></span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000">The meeting is THIS Wednesday, May 29th, 6:00PM - 7:00PM Eastern Time.</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><br></font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><b>To attend online:</b></font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"></p><ul><li><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Go to </span><a href="https://morningstarlaw.group/05292024mtg" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline">https://morningstarlaw.group/05292024mtg</span></a><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"> and register. You'll get instructions to access the meeting.</span></font></li></ul><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><b>To attend by phone:</b></font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"></p><ul><li><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000">Call +1-301-715-8592, +1-309-205-3325, or +1-305-224-1968</font></span></li><li><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000">Enter Webinar ID: 820 2752 9245</font></span></li><li><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000">Enter Passcode: 019501</font></span></li><li><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000">You'll be asked to identify yourself and your address when calling in.</font></span></li></ul><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000">We encourage joining online so you can use interactive features like Chat and Q&A.</font></span></p><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><br></font><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000">Per Northwood’s letter, Contact Nil Ghosh at 919-590-0362 or <a href="mailto:nghosh@morningstarlawgroup.com" target="_blank">nghosh@morningstarlawgroup.com</a> if you have any questions.</font></span></p><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000"><br></font><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000">Thank you,</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="verdana, sans-serif" color="#000000">Walltown Community Association</font></span></p><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr">Brandon J. Williams</div><div>he/him/his</div><div dir="ltr"><div>919.308.3900</div><div><a href="http://www.walltown.net" target="_blank">www.walltown.net</a><br><div>"From beatboxers to beat breakers, like the yellow brick road, we go where the beat takes us..."<br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
</div><br clear="all"><br><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div>Mimi Kessler</div><div>919-599-2892<br></div><div>"Democracy is not a spectator sport" - John Deen</div><div>Please vote every chance you get. </div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div>