Development spreads eastward in Durham

In Durham’s city center, the changing skyline makes it clear that development is happening fast.

Now, that development is spreading east.

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“Everything is really moving down East Main Street,” Durham County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Wendy Jacobs said.

The Durham Police Department recently moved to a brand new building on East Main Street.

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Jacobs and her fellow commissioners recently decided affordable housing will be built in two lots there.

“The county is making a huge investment at 300 and 500 E. Main St., with high-density mixed-use development with 277 units of affordable housing,” Jacobs said.

Farther down East Main is a massive project at Golden Belt.

The 320,000 square foot old textile mill is getting new life.

“We’ve really got a chance to create a new town center for this part of Durham, for East Durham,” said Justin Sacco, of LRC Properties.

Part of the campus was renovated about 10 years ago.

Now, construction is about to wrap up again.

Sacco said Golden Belt will be home to offices, apartments, artist studios, restaurants and retail spaces. Its anchor tenant, a Hi-Wire Brewing, just opened in an 8,000-square-foot space.

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There will also be an outdoor amphitheater.

“Most of the events, performing arts events, will be free,” said Cicely Mitchell. “That’s very important to us. We want to make sure that everyone feels welcome.”

The arts are key to Golden Belt, as is making sure it's a space everyone can enjoy.

Golden Belt’s grand opening is scheduled for Dec. 1, 3 to 10 p.m.