The Streets at Southpoint expansion proposal is an example of shared economic prosperity

COMMENTARY– Brookfield Properties proposal to expand The Streets of Southpoint shifts the conversation related to economic development in a city overwhelmed by constant building.

This proposal is different. 

Brookfield Properties commitment to a goal of 40 percent minority involvement in the construction and the creation of a program to employ formally incarcerated individuals shifts public discourse back to the critical moment before affordable housing became the primary issue on the community agenda.

The proposal calls for a hotel with up to 200 rooms, a new apartment building with nearly 1,400 units and 300,000 square feet of office space.

Critics of the expansion address the need for affordable housing.

“The benefits are pretty clear in a lot of ways,” Nate Baker, a member of the Durham Planning Commission and candidate for city council, said after the commission voted against the rezoning plan. "We're taking a traditional mall and we're adding density and we're adding uses."

Members of the commission were inspired by the proposal to add transit and walking options.

“Hopefully, you create a community where people don’t need a car,” Austin Amandolia, a member of the commission told CBS-17 reporter Ben Bokum. “This is the type of development that us on the Planning Commission have often been calling for more of: mixed-used, walkable, dense communities instead of suburban sprawl.”

The debate now before the Durham City Council involves the tension between offering affordable housing and pressing a vision for shared economic prosperity.

Farad Ali, president and chief executive officer at Asocair, spoke like a prophet during his campaign to become Durham’s mayor in 2017.

“Durham is in a place where it’s pivoting and great things are happening,” Ali said in his concession speech. “A sense of prosperity is what we’re talking about sharing because there is prosperity. So, as we start talking about what’s going to go in Durham for the future, it’s important we understand how we maximize Durham’s assets. One is taking this economic development model that’s been working and saying, how do we also make more people involved so we can build community while we do economic development.”

An expanding affordable housing need overshadowed Ali’s “One Durham” platform. Steve Schewel defeated Ali with a platform to address affordable housing. Schewel proposed increased pressure on developers and a $95 million affordable housing bond.

Voters overwhelming voted in support of the housing bond. The goal to repair the aftermath of rapid gentrification failed miserably. Developers continue to cram buildings into spaces with limited conversation regarding shared prosperity.

The result is demeaning. Black and Brown people suffer consequences resulting from the failed promise of affordable housing. Black and Brown people rarely reap the benefits of a thriving economy fueled by commercial development.

The Brookfield Properties proposal is different. 

Sure, there’s $14 million in tax revenue making The Streets at Southpoint the largest property and sale tax generator in Durham County. There’s no questioning the long-term impact on Durham’s economy, but there’s more to this project.

This is how Durham should always conduct business. This is the Bull City, home of Black Wall Street and the Hayti Business District. Durham is the home of Black folk who rise to the top after years of brutal resistance. Yes, we tout the influence and power of Black elected officials. Yes, Durham is a safe place for anyone enamored with authentic diversity and inclusion. In Durham, we own all of that. Durham is the template for walking that walk and talking that talk.

It's what makes this conversation the unveiling of a sad reality. In Durham, we fail to honor our rich legacy in sharing economic prosperity. Black and Brown people aren’t reaping the gains of this booming economy. Our city council supports rezoning efforts without pressing the most critical question – how does this support Black and Brown people.

This is how we engage in local reparation efforts. How many minority businesses will benefit. Show me the numbers. Come back with real evidence proving you respect and honor the history and legacy of the Bull City. You can’t step in these streets without clearly understanding our pride.

The Brookfield Properties proposal is different.

I only hope it becomes standard practice versus an exception to the way we handle city business.