Virtual Bull City Wrap ep. 210 - March 26, 2021

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· One of the ways that we’re proud to continue our commitment to expanding arts and cultural programming in the Bull City is through our support of the Durham Symphony for the coming year. Find out more about the symphony and its next performance.
· Our new Strategic Plan dashboard is now ready to be explored. We share how the new dashboard allows you to quickly see what progress is being made and what work still needs to be done in achieving our goals.
· The final report on our Expanding Housing Choices initiative is now available. The initiative allows for more housing choices to be created within Durham, predominantly within the Urban Tier. Find out what progress has been made in that effort.
· If you’re new to the area or just want to learn more about where you live, Hands-On History Fridays are the perfect events for you. We share how these interactive activities at West Point on the Eno can help you learn more about Durham.
· Calling all businesses and organizations in Durham that are working to promote environmental awareness. We need sponsors for our annual Earth Day Festival that’s coming up in April. Find out how you can get involved

Miss any of our Bull City Today episodes? Catch up on your local government news with Bull City Wrap or listen to our podcast.

· More publicly accessible electric vehicle chargers will be coming to Durham over the next several years. They’re the result of a nearly $4.9 million federal grant that we’ve been awarded to install as many as 20 high-speed charging stations.
· Step back into the glamour of the roaring ‘20s with our Ties and Tiaras Dance. Think grownups in double-breasted pinstripe suits and little ones dazzling in fringe dresses and handmade flapper hairpieces. Get all the details about this upcoming event.
· Our staff is continuing to work to secure federal, state, and private funds to support the Durham community.
· Durham residents and stakeholders interested in learning more about issues surrounding affordable housing in Durham now have a helpful resource available to them.
· If you would like to have a say in the future of arts and culture in our city, the Durham Cultural Advisory Board is looking for a new member. We share what the board’s role is and how you can potentially get involved.

About Bull City Wrap Bull City Wrap, a weekly video news program from the City of Durham Communications Department dedicated to informing residents about what’s going on inside Durham's City Hall, airs daily on Durham Television Network (AT&T U-verse channel 99 and Frontier channel 70), YouTube, and Spreaker. For more information call (919) 560-4123 and follow @CityofDurhamNC on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram, and Nextdoor.

Annual MLK Observance
Bull City Today #1401
You’re invited to attend the annual Durham City-County MLK, Jr. Observance program. The celebration will take place on Thursday, January 25 at 11:30am at First Presbyterian Church in downtown.

Unpaved Roads
Bull City Today #1402
Numerous sections of currently unpaved roads throughout Durham will be improved over the next year. We share why the project is needed.

Sidewalk Repairs
Bull City Today #1403
Over 18,000 linear feet of existing damaged sidewalk will be removed or replaced over the coming year. Find out how the locations included in the 2024 Sidewalk Repair project were determined.

Walking 100 Miles
Bull City Today #1404
It’s Durham Parks and Recreation’s 100th birthday, and you can celebrate with us and get healthy too! We’re inviting 100 people to walk 100 miles from now until December as part of this special initiative. Find out how you can get involved.

Participatory Budgeting
Bull City Today #1405
We now know who the winners are of the third cycle of our Participatory Budgeting program, otherwise known as PB Durham. We share what types of projects will be completed with the program’s $2.4 million in public funds.

Miss any of our Bull City Today episodes? Catch up on your local government news with Bull City Wrap or listen to our podcast.

· As part of our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive local business environment, our Equal Business Opportunity Program is playing a vital role in guiding our work with small, minority-and women-owned businesses. Get an update on its recent work.
· A traffic signal will soon be installed at a busy intersection that was the site of a fatal crash. We share where it will be installed.
· Streets in seven neighborhoods throughout the city will be improved as part of this year’s street repairs and repaving project.
· This year’s pavement preservation project will continue our commitment to a balanced asphalt pavement maintenance program. The project’s locations are spread across four Partners Against Crime (PAC) Districts and will include 34 neighborhoods.

About Bull City Wrap
Bull City Wrap, a weekly video news program from the City of Durham Communications Department dedicated to informing residents about what’s going on inside Durham's City Hall, airs daily on Durham Television Network (AT&T U-verse channel 99 and Frontier channel 70), YouTube, and Spreaker. For more information call (919) 560-4123 and follow @CityofDurhamNC on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram, and Nextdoor.

Miss any of our Bull City Today episodes? Catch up on your local government news with Bull City Wrap or listen to our podcast.

- Our Bull E-Bike Pilot Program is receiving statewide recognition for its efforts to improve the transportation experience in Durham by loaning out pedal-assist electric bikes. Find out all about the most recent award as well as the future of the program itself.
- We don’t want to rush through the holidays, but did you know that it’s time to start thinking about spring activities? Registration for Durham Parks and Recreation’s exciting lineup of spring programs is now open. We share what’s in store and how you can get involved.
- Eighteen community organizations and groups will receive $300,000 in funding from the Durham Youth Leadership Fund this year. Find out what the fund is and who it benefits.
- For those who put up a live holiday tree, the Durham Fire Department is reminding you to be sure and water it regularly. Dried-out trees burn faster than newspaper and can lead to serious fire damage in your home.
- Are you interested in hearing what others in our community are saying? If so, you’ll want to check out Be Heard Durham. We share how the new online platform will help make sure voices from historically underrepresented communities are heard.

About Bull City Wrap
Bull City Wrap, a weekly video news program from the City of Durham Communications Department dedicated to informing residents about what’s going on inside Durham's City Hall, airs daily on Durham Television Network (AT&T U-verse channel 99 and Frontier channel 70), YouTube, and Spreaker. For more information call (919) 560-4123 and follow @CityofDurhamNC on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram, and Nextdoor.

Be Connected Durham
Exciting news! Be Connected Durham and Beyond will be using $350,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to uplift marginalized residents and foster community resilience. We share how the nonprofit will be doing that.

Joint Affordable Housing
More affordable housing projects are in the works for Durham – thanks to American Rescue Plan Act funds. We and Durham County are each dedicating an additional $3.5 million in ARPA funds to support the development of new affordable housing units.

Unified Development Ordinance
The important task of rewriting the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) is moving forward. Find out why and how it will intentionally include an equitable engagement component.

Electric Buses
We’re making more progress toward our sustainability goals with a new contract for buying 32 new electric buses over the next five years. We share why the new buses will help us reach zero emissions by fiscal year 2027.

Holiday Tree Drop-Off
Once the holidays are over and you’re ready to get rid of your live tree if you have one, there are several free options for you to consider.

Crime Report
Homicides, rapes, and all types of major property crimes remain the focus of the Durham Police Department. Find out what the Police Department’s Third Quarter Crime Report shows.

Wheels Upfit Project
The former Wheels Roller Skating Rink is one step closer to becoming operational again. The facility is in the process of being updated and renovated to bring it back up to life safety code and accessibility standards. We share all of the latest developments.

Community Conversations
Work is underway to find out more about residents priorities for next year’s budget. Community engagement events in January and February will focus on involving people of color, youth, and other marginalized groups.

Social District Division
We’re pleased to announce that we have a new division overseeing our special event permitting process. The goal of the Citywide Special Events and Social District Division is to lead, manage, and grow special events in Durham.

NIS Mini-Grants
Seven groups representing communities throughout Durham will receive mini-grants for projects addressing a variety of needs. Find out what the mini-grants program is and what the areas of focus are for this latest round of projects.

Miss any of our Bull City Today episodes? Catch up on your local government news with Bull City Wrap or listen to our podcast.
· Frequent flooding along three Durham streets will be addressed using funds awarded by the Golden LEAF Foundation. Find out how and which areas will be affected.
· We now know who will be designing and installing public art at the Former Wheels Skating Center. Regional artist Dare Coulter has been selected for the project, which will be installed outside the center’s building. We share how the project will take shape.
· The holidays are here, and what better way to celebrate than with the Durham Holiday Parade? The parade will be held on Saturday, December 9 starting at 10 a.m. on Main Street in Downtown. Get all the details.
· $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds will be used to examine the financial impact of COVID-19 on small businesses in Durham. We take a closer look at who’s leading the work and why it’s needed.
· Applications are now being accepted for the spring Community Police Academy. The academy is a good opportunity for those who want to learn more about how the Police Department operates. Find out how you can participate.

Miss any of our Bull City Today episodes? Catch up on your local government news with Bull City Wrap or listen to our podcast.

· The new Durham Planning Dashboard is now live and ready to be used by residents, businesses, and the development community. Find out what it is, why it’s important, and how you can use it. · The Durham City Council is expressing its support for a document that will help provide guidance for the future protection of Falls Lake and the waters and natural areas that feed into and surround it. We share how this document will benefit all Durham residents.
· We are working to reduce waste going to landfills, and we need your help in determining what those efforts will look like in the future. Find out how you can make sure your voice is heard on our Reuse Hub Project.
· Durham Parks and Recreation is demonstrating once again its commitment to providing our community with the highest level of service. Learn more about its latest national recognition and what that means for you and your family.
· We know that figuring out what to do with fats, oils, and grease from cooking can be challenging which is why we want to make sure that you know about a free and easy way to order a complimentary Fat Trapper.

Miss any of our Bull City Today episodes? Catch up on your local government news with Bull City Wrap or listen to our podcast.

· If you’re an aspiring or new entrepreneur, you’ll want to mark your calendar now. Our Office of Economic and Workforce Development is hosting the Bull City Business Summit on November 16 and 17 at the Durham County Main Library.
· Our 2023 Innovate Durham program is now accepting applications. The program is a partnership between us and Durham County that allows entrepreneurs to use local government as a laboratory to test products and ideas. Learn more about how it works.
· Underrepresented communities and formerly incarcerated residents will soon benefit from healing and wellness programs tailored specifically to their needs through the Transformative Justice Program. Find out what the program is and how it will work.
· Some of Durham’s historically underutilized businesses and small commercial property owners and businesses will get support from the Bull City Equitable Development Fund. Learn which businesses may qualify and why it’s needed.
· The process to find a development partner for the site of the former Police Department headquarters is moving forward. We share the latest developments and what happens next.