I Walk the Line: Bound for the 'burbs + no one on Cornwallis wants the ROMF
October 19, 2015
Run, deer! Here comes the train! Al Buehler Trail, March 2015 Photo by Lisa Sorg
I have to say, I was dreading this part: Noisy highways, strip malls, concrete and asphalt. The only respite was to be a trek along a segment of the Al Buehler Trail. Instead of realigning the trail, as originally proposed (and which would have been horrible), the light rail line will be elevated over part of the trail and the Duke golf course. To accomplish this, GoTriangle will have to acquire 5.6 acres of Duke Forest. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement says there will be “negligible effects related to visual and noise conditions.” (See page 4-121 at the link above.)
- I find this promise of “negligible effects” very hard to believe.
- The construction and maintenance will likely damage the flora and fauna in the area, caused by a loss of trees and understory.
Duke biologists, chime in.
From here, the line cuts to Cornwallis Road, near the Jewish Community Center, the JCC Day School, Carter Charter School and Western Boulevard/U.S. 15-501. Here, GoTriangle has considered building the ROMF—rail operation maintenance facility—at a former Pepsi plant. It would require a rezoning of the land but with less bureaucracy than other sites.
Not so fast, said the JCC. Several JCC members and leaders are concerned the facility would also gobble up 2.5 acres that the Jewish Federation owns, and has plans for building recreational areas.
Continue the journey, including more on who tends to live near maintenance facilities, and a pass by the old Herald-Sun offices. (Could the ROMF be built there?)
The fact that a ROMF at the Cornwallis site would, by eminent domain (lawyers!) take the only 2.5 acres that the Jewish Community Center has for expansion and would effectively limit our business plan, is only one issue with this site. Go Transit would relocate Western Boulevard to the back side of the project, essentilly running a fairly busy byway adjacent to the Carter Charter School, the Lerner Day School, and the JCC where summer camp programs happen.
I share your question-- why not use the site of the old Durham Herald? There is also one originally proposed ROMF site, Patterson Place, which is already properly zoned and isn't residential, and which was rejected because of environment concerns about New Hope Creek. I share the environmental concerns but wonder whether either or both of these locations are not part of the plan because of financial concerns?
Posted by: Nancy Gordon | October 19, 2015 at 02:36 PM
This report says light rail will be elevated to preserve the Al Buehler Trail and the Duke golf course. If you live in Downing Creek, you might wonder why a neighborhood of nearly 1000 residents did not get the some consideration to avoid at grade alignment as a trail or a golf course??
Posted by: Dick Ford | October 19, 2015 at 08:20 PM
As a former Lerner School parent, and a current dues paying member of the JCC, I am very disappointed in many of my fellow community members for trying to block this location for the potential light rail maintenance facility.
I am going to make a blanketed statement, but one I am confident holds true. Many members of the JCC, Judea Reform Congregation, and Lerner families tend to lean left politically, and would also tend to support green initiatives. An yet, when an initiative that had to the potential to remove many vehicles from our roads during their daily commute happens, the "Not in my backyard" attitude prevails.
Folks, we can't have it both ways.
Posted by: Mohammad Goldberg | October 21, 2015 at 04:38 PM
@Mohammad Goldberg
Well said.
Durham could use a latter-day prophet denouncing the hypocrisy of our times. I think you just proved that you're qualified for the job, if you want it.
Posted by: Jeff Bakalchuck | October 23, 2015 at 03:38 PM
Thank you Mr Goldberg. We live near Judea Reform. I am not sure which of possible sites for the LR maintenance facility would be best - given all the considerations. But do not oppose locating it at the Herald or old Pepsi / now public storage site.
I would like the facility to be located in Durham and not in the burbs so Durham residents can work there, or from there, and live near their jobs.
I really hope leaders of the schools, synagogue and community center will work with Go Triangle and neighbors to learn and collaborate on how -if this is the best location - we could best design this space and operate it to complement all the community life-affirming activities that could compatibly take place here. Many understandable concerns about noise would be eradicated by a day trip to Charlotte.
We are a growing community. Living next door, it hasn't escaped our notice that the expanded facilities, membership, and uses on the Judea Reform campus have increased the traffic but I an happy to slow down a little, or more off the road when I'm walking or biking, to appreciate what all is happening there.
Worship and celebrations are certainly personal experiences; for my soul, being in the midst of our world and community feels really good and raises my awareness of what is healing, enabling, inspiring and embracing.
Thank you again.
Posted by: lanier blum | October 24, 2015 at 03:37 PM
I think the proposal would work in the long run, my views.
Posted by: daniel karanja | July 12, 2016 at 04:30 AM