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Downtown Durham Inc. seeks funds for retail incubator, expanded ambassador staffing and placekeeping in new blueprint
Summary
Downtown Durham Incorporated presented a draft Blueprint 2035 and asked the city to fund a retail incubator, expanded ambassador and safety staffing, placekeeping pilots and a study of a commercial land trust to preserve long‑term ground‑floor small‑business space.
Downtown Durham Incorporated (DDI) presented a draft "Blueprint 2035," an update to the district’s strategy, and described specific budget requests to expand ambassador staffing, create a multi‑stall retail incubator and fund placekeeping projects and park/alleys improvements.
DDI’s goals and budget requests DDI President and CEO Nicole Thompson told council the downtown business improvement district covers the core commercial area and that DDI’s mission remains focused on making the district "a diverse, unique and thriving heart of Durham." DDI has launched a new ambassador program this year in partnership with Block by Block and said it now operates roughly 13 ambassadors and two supervisor positions to patrol downtown, clean public spaces and provide a visitor presence.
Requests outlined to council - Retail incubator: DDI asked for funding to create…
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