Bull City Wrap

Miss any of our recent #BullCityToday episodes? Catch up now on your #localgov news with #BullCityWrap.

- Are you part of a group or organization that wants to help celebrate #Durham during the holidays? If so, mark your calendar for Sat., Dec. 17 to participate in @dprplaymore’s Holiday Parade.
We have the details on how you can apply to be part of the fun.
- The @DurhamStormH2O State of Our Streams Report is out and offers a glimpse at the health of our creeks and rivers. Find out why #Durham received a 77 out of 100 – or a “C” – on the Water Quality Index.
- Our @DurhamWater team has been recognized for the second consecutive year as a @EPA WaterSense Partner of the Year. It’s also the department’s seventh consecutive WaterSense award!
We explain this program and why it’s important.
- If you want to stay in the know about our essential #localgov news & events, you’ll want to sign up for two new regular publications - #CityConnect & #DurhamDigest. Find out how to receive both in your email inbox.
- We now know what the process will look like for the upcoming @pbdurhamnc cycle that is about to get underway. Find out what will look familiar and different.

Miss any of our recent #BullCityToday episodes? Catch up now on your #localgov news with #BullCityWrap.
- Are you a local artist interested in participating in public art projects? If so, our Public Art Committee wants to hear from you on how it can better provide public art training and resources for our local artist community. Find out how to give that input.
- As we continue to work to create connected, walkable, and pedestrian-friendly communities, we want to make sure your input is included in the process. We share some of the latest ways we're trying to do that and how you can provide feedback by October 31.
- Residents and visitors will soon be able to take advantage of @DowntownDurham’s new designation as a social district, which allows people to responsibly consume an alcoholic drink as they walk through downtown #Durham. Find out more.
- We now know what it would take to re-open the former Wheels Skating Center. Durham Parks and Recreation bought the site in 2020 and have determined what updates would be required to bring the facility up to code and accessibility standards to re-open it. Find out more.
- Thanks to @bookharvestnc, #Durham is becoming #TheCityofBooks. This organization will use nearly $343,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to fill neighborhoods most affected by COVID-19 with book boxes. We share more details.

Miss any of our recent #BullCityToday episodes? Catch up now on your #localgov news with #BullCityWrap.

Calling all Durham high school students! As a way to help you appreciate all of the ways that we use and need water, you’re invited to participate in the Value of Water Campaign’s Day Without Water video contest. Cash prizes are involved! Find out more.

Local efforts to create more affordable housing in Durham are receiving a significant boost from the federal government. Learn more about the recent announcement of our $40 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant funding.

We now have a better idea of the challenges and opportunities involved with the development of the Greater Triangle Commuter Rail service. We’ll share what some of those are.

The development of a new Durham Cultural Roadmap will soon be in the works to help create an updated strategic vision to guide and support our local arts and cultural ecosystem. Find out more.

The Low-Income Homeowner’s Relief Program is helping to offset the growing costs of homeownership for some long-term Durham residents. We share more about what the program is and who it helps.

Miss any of our recent #BullCityToday episodes? Catch up now on your #localgov news with #BullCityWrap.
- Joint efforts between us and the county to reduce and prevent violent crime in Durham will continue over the next year. We’ll share what those initiatives are and why we so strongly support them.
- A portion of the Downtown Trail near the Durham Bulls Athletic Park will be closed for the next six months. Find out why the closure is needed and how you can still get to your favorite businesses in that area.
- We and the County will be working together to implement a new Master Aging Plan. Find out how the Plan and its related initiatives will help to make Durham a place where older residents can age more successfully and continue to live more fruitful live.
- Our nationally recognized Durham Expunction and Restoration – or DEAR – Program will continue its work under the supervision of Legal Aid of North Carolina. We’ll share why the work of the program is so important.
- If you’re looking for a fun way to spend the day with your favorite canine friends, you don’t want to miss Barktoberfest. The event will be held from 3:30-6:30pm on Saturday, October 29 at Durham Central Park. Find out what you have to look forward to.

Miss any of our recent #BullCityToday episodes? Catch up now on your #localgov news with #BullCityWrap.

If you want to help create a cleaner community, be sure and mark your calendar now for Durham’s annual Big Sweep litter cleanup. The month-long campaign will begin on Saturday, October 1. Find out how you, your family, and friends can participate.

A significant street improvement project will soon be getting underway in the Bragtown neighborhood. Nearly $2.5 million will be spent for the improvements to be made between Old Oxford Road and East Club Boulevard. We’ll show you why the project is needed.

A private developer wants to purchase our Durham Centre Parking Deck in order to build a 32-floor multi-family residential unit and retail tower called The James above its western half. Find out more about the proposal and next steps.

Our Sustainable Land Use in Cemeteries project is taking an innovative approach to identifying alternatives to traditional burial. Find out why the project is needed.

Construction of the Durham Rail Trail is on track to begin in early 2024 with design elements reflecting input from many of you. Hear about the latest engagement phase of the project as well as what’s next for the 1.8-mile, multi-use trail.

Miss any of our recent #BullCityToday episodes? Catch up now on your #localgov news with #BullCityWrap.
- A new pilot program we’re launching in coordination with @DukeU, @DukeHealth, @DukeSurgery, and other partners will help to support and learn from those most impacted by gun violence. Find out more about the Prescriptions for Repair program.
- The #Durham City Council is considering redistricting its three wards, and you’re invited to offer your input by October 17. We share how you can do that as well as why the changes are being considered.
- Phase 1 of the @ATCDurham District Waterline Replacement Project is now complete, and Phase 2 will soon be getting underway. Find out why this @DurhamWater project is needed and what’s involved with the next phase.
- If you’ve contacted Durham One Call recently to get information or for a service request, we want your feedback. Find out how your participation in our customer service survey could earn you a $50 gift card.
- .@dprplaymore’s Splash and Play Project is continuing to move forward, thanks in large part to input from many of you. We share highlights from a recent community conversation about projects for East End & Long Meadow Parks plus the former Wheels Fun Park site.

Miss any of our recent #BullCityToday episodes? Catch up now on your #localgov news with #BullCityWrap.

• At least two local nonprofit developers will be getting funding from us in order to support their operations. This funding is needed to help keep current projects under construction and on schedule despite pandemic-related challenges. Find out more.

• The Durham Community Safety Department is renewing our commitment to making sure that threats to public safety are handled as quickly as possible despite expanding caseloads. Find out how.

• For the first time since 2010, taxicab fares in Durham will be going up. In response to increased gas prices, insurance costs, and other market pressures, the City Council has approved an increase for per mile and wait time charges. Find out what those are.

• If you want to learn more about the history of our area, be sure to plan to spend Saturdays throughout the fall at West Point on the Eno. We’ll share the focus of special tours of the park as well as how you can take part.

• Thanks to a federal transit grant, six new battery-electric buses will soon be helping our efforts to reduce emissions. Find out all about the $5.7 million in funding and how it will be spent.

Miss any of our recent #BullCityToday episodes? Catch up now on your #localgov news with #BullCityWrap.
- We now know the dates of the community forums for @TheDurhamPolice’s new ShotSpotter pilot program. Find out when they’re happening near you.
- There are exciting updates to share on three new @dprplaymore trails that are currently in the works throughout the city. We share the next steps on the R. Kelly Bryant Bridge Trail, the Third Fork Creek Extension Trail, and the Downtown Durham Rail Trail.
- Both Part 1 violent crime and property crime were down in the second quarter of this year compared with the same time period last year. We have that and more information from @TheDurhamPolice’s Second Quarter Crime Report.
- Calling all teens who are new to the work force – we have an event to tell you about that you’re not going to want to miss. Find out all the details about @dprplaymore’s upcoming job readiness teen night.
- All microbusiness owners are invited to apply for the Momentum Financial Academy. The program helps Durham entrepreneurs with five or fewer employees learn how to manage business finances, prepare for growth and scaling, and plan for retirement. Find out more.

Miss any of our recent #BullCityToday episodes? Catch up now on your #localgov news with #BullCityWrap
- Five local companies will soon be putting their big ideas to work and to the test for us and the County. Find out how they’ll be doing that through this year’s Innovate Durham program.
- Our tree planting program has reached an important milestone. Launched in 2018, the goal is to plant an average of 1,500 street trees each year and 10,500 new trees by 2025. We’re happy to announce that we’re more than half-way there!
- A sewer replacement project that will support Third Fork Creek water quality improvements and downtown redevelopment is moving forward. We’ll share all the details.
- The federal government is supporting Raleigh-Durham International Airport’s efforts to operate in a more environmentally friendly way through its improved ground transportation options. Find out how.
- We and the County are expanding our support of services and emergency housing options for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. We’ll share why this continued support is needed.

Miss any of our recent #BullCityToday episodes? Catch up now on your #localgov news with #BullCityWrap
- We now know the results of our most recent Pavement Condition Study as well as what the options are for managing our city streets over the next five years. Find out more.
- Our #Durham City-County Planning team is providing a way for you to give feedback on growth management cases earlier in the process. Find out more.
- The development of the final draft of our new #EngageDurham Comprehensive Plan is nearing completion. The plan is a long-range vision for our community and decides what can be built where in #Durham. We show you how to have a say in the final version.
- A recent sidewalk condition study and asset management plan are showing what it would take to improve our overall network of sidewalks. Find out how viewing this process through an equity lens will help to prioritize future improvements.
- We’re excited to announce that our Food Waste Collection pilot program is being expanded! The goal is to collect food scraps from 500 more households for composting in the most easy and efficient way possible. Learn more about this innovative new program.