Durham voters said yes to building a new water park, paving nearly 10.85 miles of dirt roads, constructing 12.4 miles of new sidewalks and other parks and transportation improvements on Tuesday. The bonds total $200 million and are expected to raise property taxes by about $34.50 on a $100,000 home — 3.46 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Voters approved two separate measures: $85 million for parks and recreation bonds and $115 million for streets and sidewalks bonds.
The parks and recreation bonds will be used for renovations at Long Meadow Park and East End Park, as well as building a large aquatic center next to Merrick-Moore Park.
Long Meadow Park and East End Park were initially segregated, accessible only to white and Black residents respectively. With the renovation, a new trail will connect Long Meadow and East End, which the Durham Parks Foundation says will “symbolically unite these two parks.” Other renovations include a replacement pool at Long Meadow Park and adding to the athletic facilities at both parks.
The new aquatic center — which will be next to Wheels Roller Skating Rink and across the street from Merrick-Moore Park — is set to include a lazy river, water slide, and multiple pools. When the aquatic center and Wheels Roller Skating Rink projects are complete, the entire complex plus the current park will be considered Merrick-Moore Park.
The park renovations are all projected to open in the summer of 2028, according to the city.
The streets and sidewalk bond will add 12.4 miles of new sidewalks across 25 locations identified in the city’s 2017 Bike+Walk Plan. Additionally, the bond will fund improvements to approximately 20 miles of sidewalks. The repairs are expected to start either in the summer or fall of 2025 and “could take up to two years to finish,” according to the city.
The bond also will repave and repair around 100 miles of Durham streets and newly pave almost 11 miles of dirt roads. The repave and repair projects will likely begin in the summer of 2025 and take two construction seasons, while the new paving projects are expected to finish closer to 2029.
The increase in Durham property taxes from the bond referendum will begin in 2026 and slowly decrease over the next 20 years, according to the city.
The measure was championed by Durham elected officials, including all members of City Council, as well as the group Bike Durham.
“Most of us in Durham want to live in a community that is inclusive and thriving, and a complete network of sidewalks and safe streets is a big part of that,” said John Tallmadge, director of Bike Durham.
Above: A rendering of the new aquatics center to be built by the city near Wheels Roller Rink. Illustration courtesy of the City of Durham.
