City council considers future of Durham's police headquarters

Durham's City Council has to decide what to do with a prime piece of real estate - the police department headquarters.

The site, which sits near the Durham Freeway near a booming part of town, is about to be empty when the department moves to their new facility on East Main Street.

On Thursday, a group of people rallied outside of City Hall holding mirrors. They want the site to be turned into affordable housing, and say what the City Council decides to do with police headquarters is a reflection of Durham's values.

"The current police station site is owned by us all, and we all have a voice in that," said Terry Allebaugh, an affordable housing advocate.

"It would mean I'd be right at the bus terminal. I could walk to the train station. I'd really be able to enjoy restaurants and everything downtown," said Marian Spicer, who formally experienced homelessness.

Inside, City Council members agreed, saying affordable housing is their number one priority.

"The police headquarters is the last best place to do that kind of affordable housing in and around downtown Durham and I think we should do that," Councilman Charlie Reece said.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development defines affordable as low-income families paying 30 percent or less of household salary on rent. A family earning $44,000 would pay no more than 13,200 a year.

The council's second priority is to make as much money as possible in selling the four acres.

"We recognize that these two priorities are competing, but we want to see what a developer will bring us," Mayor Steve Schewel said.

Those who rallied outside believe both priorities are possible. They said they want to see one acre reserved for at least 80 affordable units, and for any other money made selling the three remaining acres to go toward building affordable housing elsewhere in Durham.