Durham NC Community Development

Community Rising: Hayti Speaks Out Against Heritage Square Rezoning

In the heart of Durham, North Carolina, a grassroots movement is gaining momentum as residents and community leaders come together with one powerful message: Reject the Heritage Square rezoning now.

Supported by Durham-based leaders, Hayti Reborn, and a broad network of allies, this campaign demands that the local government fulfill its promise to the historic Hayti community and oppose the proposal that would rezone Heritage Square into a high-density, gentrified ?Carolina Research Park.?

Durham has long pledged to revitalize in Hayti?a once-thriving center of Black culture and commerce, devastated by infrastructure expansion. Through initiatives like the Hayti Promise Fayetteville Street Corridor Project, the city highlighted inclusive rebuilding, historical legacy protection, and housing justice.

But Sterling Bay?s rezoning proposal goes against everything Durham has pledged.

What?s at Stake for Hayti

1. A Threat to Legacy:

Sterling Bay?s plan includes erasing Hayti from the map, severing ties from its Hayti roots. Residents insist that surface-level nods to history can?t replace the rich cultural and historical connection that would be lost.

2. Misrepresentation of Community Needs:

The developer claimed that residents didn?t want affordable housing. In truth, the community advocated for plans that foster ownership, not displacement. When offered the chance to share equity partnerships for locals, Sterling Bay refused.

3. Empty Promises:

From community spaces to token amenities, the so-called ?community benefits? are performative. Promises of life science jobs sound hollow without infrastructure for existing residents.

4. Displacement Disguised as Development:

Rezoning would allow for larger buildings?serving developers and newcomers while inflating property values and squeezing out long-time residents and legacy entrepreneurs.

5. Not Against Development?Just Displacement:

The Hayti community is open to development that respects existing limits, includes truly affordable mixed-income housing, and creates economic inclusion for locals. They want growth that?s just?not imposed.

How You Can Help

Residents are petitioning the Durham City Council to vote NO the rezoning proposal. With over 100 community backers and counting?including Reverend Julian Pridgen, Sterling Hall, and dozens of others?the petition shows unified resistance that equity means uplifting the very communities affected.

?Durham cannot continue to say it values equity while ignoring the voices of Black communities fighting to preserve their homes, history, and hopes.?

The message is clear: Protect Hayti. Reject the rezoning of Heritage Square.

To learn more, search for ?Protect Hayti - Say No to Rezoning? and take action today.

https://socialsyndnetwork.com/2025/04/29/still-woke-durham-residents-rally-to-protect-hayti-and-reject-rezoning-of-heritage-square/
https://www.change.org/p/still-woke-say-no-to-rezone-of-heritage-square-protect-hayti?recruiter=1252505636&recruited_by_id=b70338c0-89cf-11ec-8859-a7d6674e3ee2&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=
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