Editorial: Central Campus details are needed Herald-Sun, 28 July 2006 It makes abundant sense that the community should be interested in what happens in the redevelopment of 128 acres of Duke's Central Campus.
Duke has requested a zoning change to university and college designation for the site, but the plans it has submitted to the City/County Planning Department are mostly a blank slate. That's not technically a problem -- the Planning Department believes the plan meets the minimum requirements of Durham's land use law.
But still, City Council members and others would understandably like to see more detail before signing off on a sight-unseen project. One of the major concerns to date has been whether a too-heavy commercial presence of stores and restaurants on Central Campus would provide adverse competition for nearby businesses on Ninth Street.
Businesses on Duke campus get an automatic leg-up because of easy access for students and tax advantages not shared by Durham-based entrepreneurs. It's important for all, as this process continues, to make sure that Ninth Street -- one of Durham's most vibrant business areas -- is enhanced, not hurt, by Duke's plans.
In the midst of the concern, we should remember that redeveloping this area is an exciting prospect. Central Campus is a not-especially-attractive forgotten zone between East and West campus and the Medical Center. Improving the area will help continue the current development renaissance affecting all parts of Durham. And Duke has pledged to protect Ninth Street, and added recently that any new bookstore would not be a mega Borders or Barnes & Noble.
With the lacrosse case still swirling, it's a propitious time for improving town-gown relations. Good communications on the Central Campus issue would set an excellent example.
Toward that end, several City Council members and community activists are requesting more information about Central Campus from Duke, and the spirit in which the requests are made is heartening.
In a Thursday article by The Herald-Sun's Ray Gronberg, Councilwoman Diane Catotti matched the tone set by fellow members Thomas Stith and Mike Woodard. "In general, the more detail the better," she said. "And I have a history of trying to work out stuff and trying to get as many committed elements [in rezoning cases as possible.]"
Working stuff out is good. For their parts, neighborhood activists John Schelp and Tom Miller also seem willing to help work things out. They may not wind up being happy with every point of the 12-point list of concerns they presented to Duke and City Council, but Miller said he thinks the process will produce "something that everybody will be reasonably happy with. We view what's happening as a point of beginning."
Which is a good place to start.