The church across Peace St from Seaboard Station was doing an addition, which I assume will be painted white to match. It looks like it’s pretty close to being done. .
As someone who grew up in Winston-Salem and loved the colonial-era historic Moravian churches around the Old Salem area, I really wish they’d avoid painting the brick. It kinda gave me a little nostalgia seeing it like this—I literally thought this was a pic of Old Salem for a second there.
They went to a lot of trouble to remove the old paint.
Old Salem is really cool. I’ve actually only been once weirdly. That being said, I am kind of a sucker for well painted white brick buildings. Not sure why honestly, but I like this church and its addition. Still looks fairly historic even though it isn’t.
I’d like it a lot more if they paid their fair share of taxes like the rest of us.
Eliminate the tax exemption and you’ll see some historic downtown buildings bite the dust.
And just to be clear, the NC General Statutes have a long list of property tax exemptions. Start with historic properties and landmarks, as designated by a local government; they get a partial exemption (50%). Government buildings, including campuses of the UNC system and the Community College System, museums, airports, public hospitals, municipal parking structures, etc. Cemeteries. Churches. Educational non-profit non-governmental institutions (e.g. Duke, Peace, Meredith, Shaw, St Aug, Ravenscroft, Cardinal Gibbons, and many more). Non-public hospitals if operated as non-profit. More non-profit organizations specifically listed (e.g. YMCA, Red Cross, homes for the aged). Retirement homes, subject to some limitations. Veteran’s and benevolent organizations (e.g. American Legion, Elks, HOA-owned property).
No doubt, the County and City of Durham would like to tax Duke – which could easily pay it, given that they have over $12 billion in the university’s endowment.
If you are advocating property tax reform that eliminates nearly all of these exemptions, fine. If you are singling out churches because you’ve got a grudge against organized religion, that’s not fine. Note that revenue-generating church properties such as parking lots, homes gifted to the church that are rented out, etc are not exempt.
Not much progress, but it appears Pizzeria Toro is definitely the space on the left (pizza oven inside), while uncommon Market is on the right, with an undetermined business in the center.
And the front patio will have a splash pad for the kids 
Well played there at the end. 
Full points.
This is looking nice!.
Yeah, it’s not horrendous. I am a bit hopeful.
Now they just gotta put some fun colored lighting on the actually-horrendous power station next door, like they have on the one off Glenwood South, for a little artistic flair (especially since Common Market is a notable late night spot).
Looking back on it, bathing that substation in that purple lighting was a brilliant move all those years ago.
Would kill to have Duke Energy light up the station at East St and MLK the same way
Does anyone know if those lights are gone for good. I haven’t seen them on recently.
Construction fencing going up today around the former O2 fitness. I don’t remember what was planned for this space
Permit says… (not clear on specifics)
Scope includes the demolition of one corner of the existing, single-story multi-tenant building, an addition to one end of the existing building and a re-allocation of tenant spaces within the building.
$2.2 million valuation for the project on the permit…
The construction fencing lines the whole property up until Ace Hardware and the gym looks empty. It might be the whole thing.
Yeah, I’m fairly confident that that’s why the Gym closed. It wasn’t due to lack of business. They were forced out.