Members of the Durham Historic Preservation Commission have voted to approve a 26-story mixed-use tower in the downtown area. Colorado-based developer Austin Lawrence Partnersplans to incorporate about 60 percent residential units and 40 percent retail and business space into the building. Plans would also incorporate facades of older buildings into the high-rise's design.
One commission member voted against the plan saying a tower nine stories above the city's current tallest building would have an adverse affect on the Durham skyline. The developer must go through the city's permitting process before breaking ground.
Residents had a chance to speak at a community hearing Tuesday night about their support or concerns about the potential change to Durham's cityscape. Austin Lawrence Partners could break ground on the project later this year. They say the project could be complete by 2016.