DAP’s Future: Preservation vs. Open Green Vision

The council debates three paths for Durham Athletic Park—from preserving its baseball legacy to opening a larger, barrier-free green—while weighing costs, survey feedback, and the impact on pro sports. The board also reviews financing and oversight for the Villages of Hayti and hears resident concerns about new landlord rules. 14mins

Economic Development Historic Preservation Planning & Zoning
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Original Meeting

Thursday, November 6th, 2025
14291.0
Full Meeting on YouTube
Video Notes

Welcome to the City Council Work Session for November 6. 2025.

Agenda: https://www.durhamnc.gov/AgendaCenter/City-Council-4

How to participate: https://www.durhamnc.gov/1345

Contact the City Council: https://www.durhamnc.gov/1323

NOTE: Comments left on this livestream will not be read or entered into the meeting record.

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Wes Platt
Durham, NC
Neighborhood news guy for Southpoint Access in Durham.
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In This Video
  • Anthony Snell, chief executive officer of the Durham Housing Authority, clarified the project’s financing, stating that $44 million in privately placed bonds from Citibank and a $17 million loan from bond funds would go directly into construction and the transaction, with DHA not receiving operational funds and not managing day-to-day operations.
  • Mayor Williams emphasized that the project’s innovative oversight included scrutiny by the state auditor’s office and affirmed a commitment to delivering diverse housing and commercial space to build a community.
  • A speaker acknowledged the intent to protect tenants but argued new policies were one-sided and overlooked impacts on responsible landlords providing safe, affordable housing.
  • Shakina Friester contended that full shelters and public housing, combined with enforcing higher standards on C&D properties, would displace tenants and accelerate gentrification.
  • Jackie Field outlined that Durham Athletic Park was underutilized and largely programmed for competitive baseball under a Bulls management agreement, limiting broader community access and diverse events.
  • Jackie Field summarized community feedback that favored keeping the DAP public and inclusive, opposed new housing or large-scale development, raised concerns about commercialization and environmental impacts, and supported revitalization via adaptive reuse, open space, accessibility, and community-centered programming.
  • Zena Howard highlighted regional case studies showing that well-designed, well-programmed parks—regardless of size—can attract hundreds of thousands of visitors and significant investment while balancing history with modern amenities.
  • Zena Howard presented three conceptual approaches for the Durham Athletic Park—preservation with minimal changes, transformation by removing the stadium to create an open central lawn, and new development to introduce civic uses—each aimed at improving accessibility, safety, and connections to nearby public spaces.
  • Zena Howard outlined preliminary cost ranges for three Durham Athletic Park concepts, estimating $48–68 million for preservation, $40–60 million for transformation, and $62–85 million for new development, while noting these were conceptual benchmarks pending detailed studies.
  • Aaron Kaufman supported transforming the fenced baseball field into an accessible green space connected to Durham Central Park, citing community desires for a larger, barrier-free park without straining resources.
  • Bob Ashley, former Herald-Sun editor and Preservation Durham representative, recounted Durham Athletic Park’s historic legacy—from its design and notable games including an early integrated exhibition—and urged preserving the park as a visible reminder of that history.
  • Nicole Thompson urged prompt action to reimagine the underused Durham Athletic Park into a year-round recreation and cultural hub to support downtown growth and attract residents, visitors, and businesses.
  • Former Mayor Nick Tennyson advocated preserving Durham Athletic Park to maintain the community’s longstanding connection to the site and its baseball heritage.
  • Rifka Gordon urged reconsidering the site as a 10-acre downtown park that honors the Bulls’ history while focusing on future community benefits.
  • Julia Lazier of Preservation Durham supported the preservation and restoration approach for Durham Athletic Park, urged involvement in future phases, and opposed the other options that proposed significant changes to the landmark.
  • Council Member Freeman emphasized preserving Durham Athletic Park’s documented history—including facilities linked to notable figures and early integrated games—and expressed support for the preservation-focused option.
  • Council Member Caballero acknowledged the park’s rich history but stressed the need for greater public use, citing a sold-out Sylvan Esso concert as evidence of its potential.
  • Mayor Pro Tem Middleton interpreted survey results to suggest that while many favored preserving the DAP’s features and commemorating its baseball history, a combined preference for space activation and open green space indicated limited support for baseball as the primary use.
  • Mayor Williams expressed support for pursuing an ambitious vision for Durham Athletic Park that expanded, rather than replaced, the site’s historic legacy.
  • The City Manager explained that if Council chose options two or three for the Durham Athletic Park, the site would no longer be usable for professional sports and the Sports Authority and Sports Commission should be directed accordingly.
  • The City Manager clarified that Council had not authorized spending or approved renovation designs, and had only provided general direction, with all decisions about the Durham Athletic Park to come before future councils.
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