South Durham Projects Under Review for August 2024

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The following projects are listed as “under review” for the South Durham area on the City of Durham’s planning map as of Aug. 26, 2024:

• 751 Excelsior Grand: Single-family attached and detached homes development with 19 units on Grand Excelsior Avenue.
• Alexander Crossing: 176 multi-family apartments with clubhouse and dog park on Louis Stephens Drive.
• Amavi Olive Branch: Townhome and multi-family duplex development at 1321 Olive Branch Rd.
• Block H1 at HUB RTP: Multi-story apartment building with about 225 units wrapped around a parking deck at 1050 Hitchings Way in Research Triangle Park.
• Colony Park Pool: Demolishes the existing recreational pool facility and rebuilds with associated pool deck and sidewalks at 2503 Tanglewood Dr.
• Crescent Drive: 90 multi-family units and 17 townhomes and associated infrastructure at 5412 George King Rd.
• Crescent Townes: Phase 1 created 47 residential lots and three open space lots. Phase 2 calls for 55 townhomes and five open space lots near NC Highway 54 and Farrington Road.
• Cresta Cottages: 22 small-lot single family residential development at 2816 S. Roxboro St.
• Davis Drive Greenhouse: Redevelopment of an existing surface parking lot into a greenhouse facility with associated infrastructure improvements in Research Triangle Park along Davis Drive.
• Doc Nichols Towns: About 25 townhouses at 1301 Doc Nichols Rd.
• Everton: Phases 1 and 2 include 231 townhome lots and 18 open space lots at 6031 Leesville Rd. Phases 3 and 4 include 77 townhome lots and three open space parcels.
• Forest at Duke: Replaces the existing western building with a new parking garage and residential towers along Pickett Road.
• Harris Farm: 385 multi-family apartments near Chancellor’s Ridge, between Fayetteville Road and NC Highway 751.
• Hopson Road Multi-Family: 399 multi-family units with associated amenities and infrastructure at 4616 Hopson Rd.
• Ionna Lab Alterations: Remove existing asphalt area in parking lot and build a landscape island along Stirrup Creek Drive.
• Masjid Tahweed Was Sunnah: 9,900 square foot house of worship and supporting parking and stormwater infrastructure at 3714 Alston Ave.
• Mica Ridge: 406 single-family and townhome lots at 1802 S. Mineral Springs Rd.
• NC 55 and Hopson – Building 5: 266,760 square foot building with associated utilities and parking at 6519 NC Highway 55.
• Novartis Warehouse Expansion: Adding new warehouse and truck dock while relocating water main and fire hydrant along Tricenter Boulevard.
• Olive Branch Reserve: Phase 1 includes 40 lots and five open space lots at 830 Virgil Rd.  Phase 2 creates 48 lots and four open space lots. Phase 3 creates 90 lots and eight open space lots.
• Ovation at Sweetbriar: 360 single-family detached lots and 113 townhome lots with supporting open space in phases 2 and 3 at 702 Doc Nichols Rd.
• Presidential Park West Site Expansion: 16,335 square feet of office space and 33,165 square feet of light industrial along Presidential Drive.
• Royals Building Expansion: 4,300 square foot building expansion at 2120 Brunson St.
• Stellaview: Phases 2 and 3 include 142 lots at 1300 Cosmic Dr.
• Triangle United Soccer: Renovates existing soccer fields with synthetic turf, builds two new soccer fields, and adds new parking and sidewalks at 5510 Barbee Chapel Rd.
• Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill: New school building for Trinity Lower School, with associated infrastructure and athletic field improvements at 4011 Pickett Rd.
• United Rentals Durham: Adds maintenance building at 1830 S. Briggs Ave., expands gravel equipment laydown area, provides paved connection to shared driveway to South Briggs Avenue.
• United Therapeutics Xeno 1: Construction of a new manufacturing module, central utility building, and associated roadway and utility infrastructure near T.W. Alexander Drive.

We asked ChatGPT to review the information and provide some insights about the projects awaiting approval. Here’s how it analyzed the data:

This data provides a snapshot of various development projects awaiting approval in South Durham. The types of projects vary widely, from residential to commercial and institutional developments, reflecting the diverse growth patterns in the area. Here’s an overview of the key insights:

Residential Developments

• Single-Family and Townhomes: Several projects, such as 751 Excelsior Grand, Amavi Olive Branch, Mica Ridge, Ovation at Sweetbriar, and Crescent Townes, indicate significant expansion in single-family homes, townhomes, and small-lot developments. This suggests continued demand for residential housing in South Durham, particularly in areas like NC Highway 54, Doc Nichols Road, and Olive Branch Road.
• Multi-Family Apartments: Projects like Alexander Crossing, Hopson Road Multi-Family, and Harris Farm indicate a strong focus on multi-family residential units, catering to renters and potentially indicating a trend toward higher-density living in this area. Amenities like clubhouses, dog parks, and infrastructure improvements are common, highlighting the focus on community-oriented living spaces.
• Mixed-Use and Multi-Phase Developments: The Everton and Olive Branch Reserve projects show a trend toward large, phased developments that integrate different types of housing (e.g., townhomes and single-family lots) with open spaces, creating planned communities that appeal to diverse demographics.

Commercial and Institutional Developments

• Industrial and Light Commercial: The NC 55 and Hopson – Building 5, Novartis Warehouse Expansion, Presidential Park West Site Expansion, and United Rentals Durham developments indicate ongoing industrial and light commercial growth. This could be driven by the proximity to Research Triangle Park and the demand for facilities that support logistics, manufacturing, and service industries.
• Institutional Expansions: The Forest at Duke, Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill, and Masjid Tahweed Was Sunnah projects highlight investments in institutional facilities, including educational, religious, and senior living infrastructure. These expansions suggest a growing population that requires enhanced services in these areas.

Recreational and Infrastructure Improvements

• Recreational Enhancements: Projects like Colony Park Pool, Triangle United Soccer, and Crescent Drive reflect a focus on enhancing recreational amenities, suggesting an emphasis on quality of life improvements for existing and future residents.
• Infrastructure Upgrades: The Davis Drive Greenhouse redevelopment and the United Therapeutics Xeno 1 manufacturing expansion suggest ongoing improvements to infrastructure that supports both residential and commercial growth, particularly in research and biotech industries.

Key Trends

• Residential Growth: There is a clear trend towards the expansion of both high-density multi-family units and single-family/townhome developments, pointing to a balanced demand across various housing types.
• Commercial and Industrial Development: Industrial expansions, particularly around the RTP area, suggest that South Durham continues to be a hub for biotech and light industrial activities, supported by the region’s strong economic foundation.
• Community and Recreational Focus: Investments in recreational facilities and open spaces indicate a commitment to improving the community’s overall living environment, making the area more attractive to families and young professionals.

This data shows South Durham as a rapidly developing area with a balanced mix of residential, commercial, and institutional projects, catering to a diverse population and supporting the region’s economic growth.