The Southern Coalition for Social Justice is proud to announce that we are now representing the University Apartments Residents Association in their efforts to stop the gentrification of their historic, 71 year old apartment complex in Durham’s West End on West Chapel Hill Street.
In late May, University Apartments was bought by Capstone Companies, an Alabama-based developer which specializes in “student housing development”. Residents of University Apartments met their new landlords last month, only to learn that Capstone has plans to raise rents by 25% for new residents and that the developer has plans for major renovations and additions. Some additions include a new swimming pool, a firepit, a fitness center, and a patio. Renovations including a new “lifestyle center,” and changes to the units including granite countertops, crown molding, high speed internet, and double-paned vinyl windows promise to attract higher rents and middle-class tenants tied to Duke University.
The new cream-colored vinyl windows
The new granite countertops
The new carpet floors which replaced the hardwood floors
Many families, older community members, and long-term residents call University Apartments home. The building is renowned for its character, with its high ceilings, radiators, a community garden, a compost center, and large French windows. Residents see the acquisition of University Apartments by Capstone as a potential threat to their safety and security, and with already rising rents current residents may be forced to move.
Located one mile from Duke East Campus and close to downtown Durham, this building which for nearly three quarters of a century housed working-class, multiracial, multiethnic occupants of all ages in affordable housing, may soon be filled with Duke students who have quite a different lifestyle and reputation.
Many local housing advocates, as well as residents of University Apartments, see the potential displacement of the current residents in favor of university students who pay higher rents as gentrification. Gentrification occurs as middle and upper-class occupants take over neighborhoods once occupied by working-class residents. As more professionals and Duke students look to live in a more urban setting for a variety of reasons, the accompanying higher rents and property taxes displace families, long-term residents, and workers who once lived in affordable neighborhoods like University Apartments and the contiguous historic Burch Street and West End neighborhoods.
When communities organize, they can build collective power to resist and reverse the negative impact of corporate developers who look to buy properties in order to make profit. The Southern Coalition for Social Justice, based a mile from University Apartments, is working with the University Apartments Residents Association to provide legal, media, and community organizing support. The current tenants are demanding that their neighborhood remain affordable, that every effort is made to keep the current tenants, that their health and safety needs are respected during the renovations, and that the new additions and renovations don’t ruin the historic charm of University Apartments.
If you would like to get involved, contact Elena at Elena@southerncoalition.org
For more info about University Apartments’ history, check out this great blog post at Endangered Durham
Lisa Sorg from the Indy has also written two great articles here and here
Southern Coalition for Social Justice
