Item:
Title
Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment No.26BCC052 Appropriating $112,400 of General Fund Fund Balance to the Engineering Department and Authorizing the County Manager to Execute an Agreement with the UNC School of Government’s Development Finance Initiative for Phase I of the Pre-development Process for the Former Lowe’s Grove School Site located at 4505 S. Alston Avenue for a total not-to exceed $72,400.00
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: February 2, 2026
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No.26BCC052 appropriating $112,400 of General Fund Fund Balance to the Engineering Department and authorizing the execution of a contract agreement with the UNC School of Government’s Development Finance Initiative for Phase I of the Pre-development Process for the former Lowe’s Grove School Site located at 4505 S. Alston Avenue for a total not-to-exceed $72,400.00.
Durham County and Durham Public Schools (DPS) requested technical assistance from DFI in November 2025 in evaluating the redevelopment potential of a former school site, Lowe’s Grove, that presents a strategic opportunity for the County and DPS to meet their community development goals. The 1.41-acre former Lowe’s Grove school site is located at 4505 South Alston Avenue, near Highway 54. DPS owns additional parcels surrounding the Lowe’s Grove site; these parcels would also be the subject of DFI’s analysis. County and DPS leadership would like to explore a range of redevelopment scenarios for DPS-owned properties in the area that align with their mission and local community development goals.
DFI proposes to conduct a community scan, market and community-driven assessment of the redevelopment potential of the property, including the adjacent DPS owned properties. This analysis will prioritize potential strategies for the redevelopment of the project in collaboration with the County, DPS and key stakeholders. In this phase (phase 1), DFI would perform a Pre-development feasibility analysis to understand market conditions, conduct community and stakeholder engagement, and identify viable redevelopment opportunities that would meet the County, DPS and key stakeholder interests. In Phase II, pending the results of this analysis, which would require a separate contract and fee, DFI could assist the County in identifying a private development partner(s) to assist the County in achieving its vision for the redevelopment.
The Pre-development process outlined by the Development Finance Initiative is the process that was used on other redevelopment projects being performed by Durham County. By engaging DFI, County staff intends to determine a long-range plan for the site receiving community input on the development, establishing guiding principles for the redevelopment, attracting private sector investment while minimizing public investment, maximizing public interests and ensuring that future redevelopment enhances the County’s existing assets. It is recommended that the County proceed with Phase I of the Pre-development Process as outlined in the attached proposal in the amount not-to-exceed $72,400. The balance of the funding will be used for preliminary activities including but not limited to surveying, appraisals, geotechnical and environmental analysis and others as necessary.
This agreement is pending final Legal Department Approval.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: This request aligns with Strategic Plan Goal #5 - (Accountable, Efficient and Visionary Government) - by providing a phased pre-development process which will allow the creation of a long-range plan for the site while meeting the County’s goals.
Resource Persons: Claudia Hager, Durham County Manager; Peri Manns, ASLA, Deputy Director, Engineering and Environmental Services; Jay Gibson, P.E., Director of Engineering and Environmental Services, David Ades, Assistant Director, Budget and Management Services; Keith Lane, Director, Budget and Management Services; Sarah Odio, Assistant Director, Development Finance Initiative and Marcia Perritt, Director, Development Finance Initiative
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends the Board approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No.26BCC052 appropriating $112,400 of General Fund Fund Balance to the Engineering Department and authorizing the County Manager to execute a contract agreement with the UNC School of Government’s Development Finance Initiative for Phase I of the Pre-development Process for the former Lowe’s Grove School Site located at 4505 S. Alston Avenue for a total not-to-exceed $72,400.00 subject to Legal approval.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________