Fliers opposed to Durham redevelopment single out whites, 'rich gentrifiers'

Fliers have popped up in Durham to oppose a proposed development and gentrification, but it's the language in the fliers that is causing a stir.

Posted 11:14 p.m. Oct 17, 2019 — Updated 5:05 a.m. Oct 18, 2019

Sarah Krueger

, WRAL Durham reporter

DURHAM, N.C. — Fliers have popped up in Durham to oppose a proposed development and gentrification, but it's the language in the fliers that is causing a stir.

The fliers, which have been posted along Washington Street, just north of downtown, show a rendering of a commercial development with white people, circled and labeled, walking nearby and state "Rich Gentrifiers Want to Build This," referring to plans to revamp an existing building in the area into new offices.

"Hands off our neighborhood," the flier states, providing contact information for the developers.

It's unclear who posted the fliers, but many people in the area said they don't agree with the sentiment behind them and are offended by the language on them.

"They’re just circling white people. I don’t think it’s an effective flier," said Lexi Lewis, who is white.

An artist's rendering of a planned redevelopment of 949 Washington St. north of downtown Durham.

"It could be better worded," said Rad Simpson, who is black. "White people don’t scare me. I don’t know. I don’t mind white people.

"I drive a luxury car, so I might be one of those people," Simpson added, noting the flier also points to luxury vehicles shown in the rendering.

"I feel bad for the people they’re pushing out, but at the end of the day, business is business. The economy is going to grow," said Edwin Mejia, who rents a house on Macon Street, near the project site.

Michael Johnson, who has lived his whole life on Macon Street, said he supports the new development.

"It’s time to upgrade," Johnson said, noting that he hopes redevelopment boosts the value of his home and land – he's already listed one property for $4.7 million.

"I don’t know where that’s coming from," he said of the fliers, "because we welcome it over here."

The area nearby has seen a lot of development in recent years, such as new apartment and condominium buildings, bars Boxcar and Urban Axes and pizza restaurant Hutchins Garage. Residents expect more to come.

"People moving in and doing things is just natural," Simpson said. "Whoever is going to move in or is going to bring a change, we’d like for them to be a part of the community, not try to make the area what it’s not."

Developer Joe Svatos said response to the $6 million project has been overwhelmingly positive.

The project is expected to go before Durham City Council on Nov. 18 for a public hearing and a vote on an easement and a request to close nearby Urban Street. In exchange, Svatos said, his firm has offered to build 100 feet of the proposed Belt Line Trail in the area, put in 15 parking spaces for the public and contribute $30,000 to the city.

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