BCR's Daily Fishwrap Report for December 1, 2008

It was a busy night for City Council, racing from the DPAC opening to the dais in time for their 7pm meeting. (Ah, but did they hoof it or "roll out" all vehicular style?) And that's just part of what else is in the local news today besides the performing arts center's debut:

• As we noted here yesterday, Michael Page is the new Board of County Commissioners chair, with Ellen Reckhow taking vice-chair. Matt Milliken of the H-S notes that Bowser and Page both remained silent during the vote; under state law, silence serves as an "aye." (H-S)
• The proposed demolition of a house that was once the home of noted civil rights-era photographer Alex Rivera (who passed away earlier this year) goes before the Durham Historic Preservation Commission today. Preservationists and Fayetteville St. activists, many of whom oppose generally NCCU's expansion into the surrounding neighborhood, oppose the move by the university, which has owned the home for a decade and is accused of demolition-by-neglect by some opponents. For his part, Rivera stressed in letters that the house had no meaning or significance to him; the one-time NCCU administrator asked that it be allowed to be demolished. (H-S)
• Although the City Council maintains it has no legal authority to stop an Adam & Eve adult products shop from opening its doors in South Durham, Council member Howard Clement and planning director Steve Medlin will meet with affected citizens and with the store's corporate owners to hear residents' concerns, explain the constraints the city faces, and encourage Adam & Eve to take a modest approach to window displays. Even the teetotaling Clement might want a couple of shots of hard liquor when that meeting's over. (H-S)
• D.P.D. Chief Lopez promised heightened staffing for downtown in general and parking decks in particular after Self-Help founder Martin Eakes -- a downtown Durham pioneer, and a man critical to the revitalization of the Bull City -- was assaulted and badly beaten last Monday night in the Corcoran St. deck owned by the city. (H-S)
• Triangle Transit's new transfer station opened yesterday in the Imperial Center near Page and Slater Rds., replacing the one-time Davis Dr. location and shortening commuting times for Wake Co. residents in particular. (N&O, TBJ)

Comments

[Emily]

That is horrifying about Martin Eakes. I've had the pleasure of meeting him a few times - he has really done a lot for the community and Durham in particular.

Any word on how he is doing?