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Hayti businesses, customers weigh in on proposed Heritage Square development in Durham

Investment managing firm Harrison Street, real estate and development firm Sterling Bay and real estate firm Acram Group announced in a news release they've bought 606 Fayetteville St.

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By
Monica Casey
, WRAL Durham reporter
DURHAM, N.C. — The 10-acre site known as Heritage Square in the Hayti area of downtown Durham has new owners with a plan to develop offices and residential space.

On June 29, investment managing firm Harrison Street, real estate and development firm Sterling Bay and real estate firm Acram Group announced in a news release they’ve bought 606 Fayetteville St.

The group didn’t say how much they paid, but Durham County records show the land has a total fair market value of $1,158,569. In March 2019, the site was sold for $4,324,000.

Residents told WRAL News on Tuesday that if the new development doesn’t push people out, it could be good for the Hayti community.

Burger Plant owner Darryl Scott, which shares spaces with Hayti Collective Kitchen and Cocktails at 908-101 Fayetteville St., opened his business in February. Four businesses operate out of the space, Scott said.

"It's been great,” Scott said. “Part of the allure of opening here was just being back on ‘Black Wall Street.’

“Here we are, it feels good to be back and doing things together."

Scott believes more people in the area would benefit his business and others.

"More folks in the area, more bodies, more feet through the door, a rising tide lifts all boats,” he said.

Hayti Barber Shop customer Maurice Copeland believes the development could be positive.

“[It would provide] more jobs and more places to eat as well,” Copeland said.

Copeland has gotten his hair cut in Hayti for more than 20 years.

"Everyone always gives me great service,” Copeland said. “It's a walk of all different people that you can meet over here. It makes me feel like I can fit in where there are more people who look like me."

While Copeland said he likes the idea of the development, he has questions. He wants to know how developers will improve the quality of life in Durham.

“What are they going to do to the people that are already in the community?” Copeland asked. “Will they be displaced?

“Will there be some kind of programs to help people out? What kind of tax incentives are they getting, and are they going to give back to the community?"

Developers said Durham and Hayti area residents will be part of the planning, and they want to respect the area's history.

WRAL News does not know a construction timeline for the proposed development as of Tuesday afternoon.

Scott said he thinks some change is inevitable.

"With new businesses coming in, wherever new homes come in there's going to be some change,” Scott said. “There's going to be some folks that, unfortunately, are going to have to leave this place, but if we can keep as many folks in the community here, we can try to provide maybe some mixed income housing to make it affordable.”

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