Durham residents are eagerly awaiting the redevelopment of the former Northgate Mall site, which closed its doors four years ago due to financial difficulties. The nearly 60-acre property, located just two miles from Durham City Hall, has been the subject of ongoing discussions between city and county leaders. Northwood Investors, the developer who purchased the mall in 2018, has outlined plans for the site but has not provided recent updates.
The community, particularly those in the Walltown neighborhood, have expressed their hopes and desires for the redevelopment. Sonja McKinney, a Durham resident, shared her memories of the mall being a family-friendly destination. “I miss it.
I wish they would open it back up,” she said. “Maybe affordable housing, because since the rent is so high now for the people here, maybe that would help out. Maybe a grocery store would be nice, and maybe some stores.”
A 2021 survey of Walltown neighbors revealed a strong desire for affordable housing and more green spaces in the redevelopment plans.
The city has acknowledged these opinions but stated that no substantive changes have been made yet. Levi Mojarro, who has fond childhood memories of visiting the mall, sees great potential in the site. “I feel like it could serve a better purpose,” he said.
Northgate Mall redevelopment hopes
It’s still a nice spot, and I’m sure if they did something where they would kind of make people want to come back, I would definitely get out again.
Walltown residents have been working on a small area plan for years, prioritizing affordable housing, retail, green space, and environmental sustainability. Brandon Williams, a Walltown resident, emphasized the importance of creating a “15-minute community,” where residents can access daily needs within a 15-minute walk, bike, or transit ride.
“If we can carve a space on this new mall site that says working-class folks are welcome here, and [if] we’re going to provide not just the housing but the retail and other amenities for you to enjoy just like you would anybody else … that’s what’s important and powerful about this being Walltown specific,” Williams said. The plans for the former mall property have changed multiple times after pushback from residents.
While Northwood Investors’ plans include affordable housing for seniors, neighbors would like to see more, including green space. “If we know they’re going to be closed for a while, [it’s worth] leveraging that in the conversation with the developer to really get some green space,” Williams said. Although the site is privately owned, Williams and others hope the plan can provide a vision for elected officials to follow.
“It’s not binding by law, but it does give official kind of planning policy [and] guidance to council members when they’re going to be faced with making decisions about rezonings on the site,” Williams added. The former Northgate Mall property is just one part of Walltown residents’ plan, as they are also looking at improvements for nearby neighborhoods. The community hopes the Durham City Council will approve their plan by late summer.
As discussions continue, the future of the former Northgate Mall site remains uncertain. However, the residents of Durham remain hopeful that the redevelopment will reflect their needs and desires, transforming the abandoned mall into a beneficial space for all.
