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Neighborhood Investments

Neighborhood Investments

Reconnecting residents and neighborhoods 

Partnered with

A purple and white logo for downtown durham inc.
A logo for the hayti heritage center and st. joseph 's historic foundation
The logo for the national institute of minority economic development.

Revitalizing Connections to Downtown Durham

DHA and the City understand that the neighborhood where housing is located is just as important as the quality of the housing itself. One of the key goals of the Durham Choice program is to reintegrate the 519 E. Main and Liberty site into the larger fabric of downtown and to reconnect downtown to adjacent communities that have not benefited equally from downtown Durham’s growth.


To coordinate this effort, DHA is partnering with Downtown Durham, Inc. (DDI), which has a 25-year history of working with small business owners, entrepreneurs, and property owners to help businesses locate and expand in downtown.

Bringing Back The Historic Hayti Community

Invest in Community

The Durham Choice target area includes a portion of the historic Hayti community, a once vibrant African American community located just south of downtown. In the name of urban renewal, the commercial core of Hayti was demolished in the 1960s to make room for the new Highway 147 that would connect downtown Durham to the new Research Triangle Park. The construction of the freeway resulted in the displacement of more than 4,000 households and 500 businesses and created a division between Hayti and downtown that remains to this day.

Critical Community Initiatives

Shaping Our Future

Our neighborhood is transforming, and we want you to be part of the journey! Durham Choice is proud to share four exciting Critical Community Initiatives (CCI) that will shape the future of our community. These projects will create vibrant spaces, support local businesses, honor our heritage, and build stronger connections. Together, we can ensure that these changes reflect the needs and dreams of everyone in Durham. Let’s shape the future—together!

CCI 1: Recreation and Placemaking

A New Park for the Community

We’re redeveloping the site at 519 E. Main and Liberty Street into a one-acre park that will be a true "community living room." Guided by your ideas, this park will include fun features like a splash pad, playground or a stage for community events.

CCI 2:  Business Retention and Recruitment Fund

Funding for Small Businesses

We’re supporting small businesses and fostering growth through a new fund. This initiative, in partnership with The Institute, will offer grants and loans to help diverse businesses thrive. At least 50% of funding will go to Hayti’s businesses, with an additional 10% supporting new ground-floor businesses in DHA locations. This fund is about empowering entrepreneurs and strengthening our community’s economy. Launching Spring 2025

CCI 3: Hayti Heritage Center Improvements

Preserving the Hayti Legacy

The Hayti Heritage Center stands as a proud symbol of our community’s history and resilience. To preserve its legacy, we’re making critical repairs, improving security, and expanding parking to ensure it continues to serve as a cultural hub for generations to come.

CCI 4: Reconnecting Historic Hayti to Downtown

A Trail From Hayti to Downtown

Imagine a one-mile trail connecting the Hayti Heritage Center to the Black Wall Street Garden in downtown Durham. This pathway will celebrate Hayti’s 130+ years of resilience through public art, historical markers, and interactive features like augmented reality. Designed with safety and accessibility in mind, the trail will inspire learning and connection every step of the way.

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