If you're new to Durham, NC, you may be wondering about the Population & Steets in East Duke City. The city's downtown area has recently undergone gentrification and has seen over $1.7 billion invested in the area. The new One City Center building is set to be the city's tallest building, and is being built on a vacant lot next to a burned-out building.
During the postwar period, the City of Durham's zoning practices changed, undoing the piecemeal upzoning of the area for industry a decade earlier. This change in attitude was likely a result of growing power and influence of African Americans, as the city council no longer viewed these communities as an afterthought in heavy commercial development. While this change was not unprecedented, it did demonstrate the difficulty of addressing inequalities and zoning issues without taking a comprehensive approach.
Historically, Durham residents have tended to be involved in the Regulator movement. In 1771, Loyalist militia cut the Cornwallis Road through Durham City to suppress a rebellious movement. In addition, residents like William Johnston, a local shopkeeper and farmer, helped the Revolutionaries by manufacturing munitions. Interestingly, Johnston also served in the Provincial Capital Congress and helped underwrite Daniel Boone's westward explorations.
A history museum focuses on the area's past. The Durham Association for Downtown Arts was founded in 1998 and incorporated in 2000. Today, it supports local artists in a variety of art forms and offers free venue admission to area residents. In addition, the Durham Symphony Orchestra is a mainstay of the arts in the area, and the local music scene is alive and thriving. In addition to the Triangle, Durham is home to the Nasher Museum of Art, as well as smaller, locally-run art galleries. Every third Friday, Downtown Durham hosts a celebration of culture and arts, dubbed 3rd Friday.