Developer pulls request to rezone, build major project in Durham's Hayti District

By Jamiese Price, Akilah Davis, and Sean Coffey

WTVD 11

Monday, August 4, 2025

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- The fate of Hayti Heritage Park remains unknown.

A stunning development unfolded Monday night at the Durham City Council meeting, where Sterling Bay, the Chicago-based developer who wanted to build a new life sciences campus with apartments in the Hayti neighborhood, abruptly decided to pull its request to rezone the 10-acre property along Fayetteville Street just south of downtown.

The mayor and city council seemed a little stunned at this sudden turn of events at a packed City Hall.

People were seated in the lobby of the building with no room in council chambers, and dozens had shown up solely to speak against the rezoning that would have allowed this project.

They never got that chance since Sterling Bay requested that the city council effectively allow them to pull out of the development before a rezoning vote could be taken. This, of course, has been a red-hot topic in the city, particularly in Hayti, for months.

Residents had voiced concerns about how the development, which would have allowed for high-rise buildings but did not include affordable housing development, might have changed the feel of the historically Black neighborhood. There were also concerns about how longtime residents could ultimately get priced out.

But now, the future of that property, a former shopping center that's remained vacant for some time, remains unclear.

The mayor said the city is left with major question marks.

"I am so curious, if not this, then what?" Mayor Leonardo Williams asked. "And I want to be able to support that. But it can't be all 'No' and then don't respond with something. But we've got to have something. I don't want to drive down to NCCU and continue to see the same thing. I want this to be one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the City of Durham. And right now, I don't know what that looks like."

Afterward, organizers and residents gathered right outside City Hall, vowing to continue their efforts against development that they say doesn't meet the needs of the community, and celebrating the developer's withdrawal.

The proposal had faced backlash and strong criticism from community groups such as Hayti Reborn, an organization that says its mission is preserving the community's rich legacy. Anita Scott Neville, the director of Hayti Reborn, is deeply connected to the Hayti community. She said the project doesn't reflect the true needs of the community, which is affordable housing.

"The life that has been described does not describe livability for those who work here, has no resemblance of its history," she said before the meeting started. "And most of all, would create a burden in the form of higher taxes for the community that exists here. Rezoning and redevelopment are not the same thing. This property can be redeveloped in a way that is befitting of the community."

Sterling Bay told the council that the decision to pull out of this development was just made hours ago.

This was a long, drawn-out process that ended in a swift decision from the developer Monday night.

Tuesday morning, Hayti Reborn released a statement: "Hayti is not opposed to development! We are opposed to extractive development that sidelines the very people who built this community and stand to lose the most...To the city council, we understand your frustration about this process. But, your disappointment should be directed not at a community standing up for itself, but at a development process that continues to ignore us until the last minute, only to turn away when accountability is demanded.

Opposition gathered before the meeting

Julian Pridgen is pastor of St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Zion church, which sits right next to the nearly 10-acre property. He's held two townhalls since June between passionate members of the community and Sterling Bay. He also has concerns of his own around this rezoning request.

"Sterling Bay stands to make millions, if not billions, on this project. The question is, what are you doing for the community?" said Pridgen. "We're concerned about the development and what it might do to the church with the shaking of the earth and blasting of the rock. We're concerned about the stormwater drainage system."

There have been rallies and community meetings with the developers, but some residents said this project is not what the neighborhood needs. Neville wants the city council to vote down the rezoning request

"The hope is, is that they will hear the voice of the community, " she said. "I hope they will hear and listen to the voice of those they were elected to serve. And that voice is saying loudly and clearly no to rezoning."

Sterling Bay purchased Heritage Square in 2022. The developer wanted to establish an 18-story multi-family building with office space, a parking deck, a pedestrian mall and public space. The company told ABC11 in April that its plans for the project have evolved to accessible gathering spaces, food and beverage offerings, job opportunities and affordable retail space.

Since then, the developer has had several conversations with Hayti Reborn. There were concerns that this project could mimic urban renewal.

"This project comes in disguise as a grand scheme for community benefit," said Neville. "We would like to be respected as those who are already here. We would like to work with them for investment that would be of mutual benefit."

The developer also proposed scholarships for North Carolina Central University and Durham Technical Community College, 5,000 square feet of retail space offered at 50% of the cost, 2,500 square feet of free conference space to the community, and a $55,000 donation to Hayti Promise Community Development Corporation.

Community advocates said they believe the proposals aren't enough and would like the developers to consider the community's needs, including affordable housing.

"It is just difficult for me to accept rezoning this property for more luxury apartments when we have homeless people sleeping on our front porch," said Pridgen.

But for now, it's back to square one.

And based on the reaction of the mayor, the City Council and those in attendance, no one saw it coming.