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Downtown Durham Blueprint outlines seven goals and implementation plan; county asked to consider adopting

Durham County Board of County Commissioners · January 5, 2026

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Summary

Downtown Durham Inc. presented a blueprint developed with community outreach of roughly 3,000 people; the plan sets seven goals (culture, business support, housing, mobility, public spaces, employment, communications) and an implementation matrix; commissioners discussed potential county adoption and coordination with city partners.

Nicole Thompson, president and CEO of Downtown Durham Inc., presented the Downtown Durham Blueprint to the commissioners and described a broad community‑engagement process and an implementation matrix intended to translate the plan’s goals into prioritized actions.

Thompson said roughly 3,000 people participated in outreach and the plan focuses on three foundations — safety and welcome, honoring downtown culture and sustaining economic vibrancy — that feed seven goals including preserving affordable ground‑floor space, strengthening multimodal connections, public‑realm improvements and small‑business support. She said Interface Studio led consulting work with local partners and that DDI will serve as lead implementer, coordinating with planning departments, private owners and nonprofits.

Commissioners praised the outreach and asked whether the county should formally adopt the plan alongside the city. Thompson said the city treated the item as a small‑area plan and adopted it; she welcomed county adoption and said DDI would coordinate funding and staffing for implementation and could bring the plan to the county for formal adoption if commissioners asked.

Commissioners highlighted issues ranging from the YMCA site and library connections to ensuring county properties align with the blueprint goals. Several commissioners said they would like a formal opportunity for the county to adopt the blueprint or codify support in a future agenda item.

Next steps: DDI will proceed with implementation tasks and follow up with commissioners on opportunities for county adoption and coordination, and staff said the county can place a formal adoption item on a future agenda if the board requests it.