President Buxton’s statement on Durham's Choice Neighborhood Grant award

“Durham Tech is excited play its role in the Choice Neighborhood Implementation initiative. High-quality affordable housing is critical to economic and workforce development. We are thankful to be part of a city and county that makes affordable housing a top priority.”
-- Durham Tech President J.B. Buxton 

The Durham Housing Authority and the City of Durham have been awarded a $40 million Implementation Grant as part of the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative. The funds will support the redevelopment of the 519 East Main (formerly Oldham Towers) and Liberty Street Apartments along and other downtown properties owned by DHA. This grant is another step in the implementation of the Durham Housing Authority's Downtown and Neighborhood Plan. In addition to supporting the construction of affordable housing at the site, these funds are also designed to provide critical community improvements, including a small business loan fund and façade improvements to the Hayti Heritage Center. The grant will help facilitate the reconnection of the Hayti community to downtown Durham. Our partners on this undertaking are Laurel Street Residential, Durham Children’s Initiative, Downtown Durham, Inc., Duke University, Duke Health, Durham Tech and NCCU.