Community News
Community news for Grant Street is a way of keeping neighbors informed about what’s happening in and around our neighborhood—projects, events, decisions, and opportunities that impact our shared life together. It helps us stay connected, build trust, and make sure everyone has access to what they need to participate in shaping the future of our community.
A Conversation with Ryan Smith and Sarah Viñas About Unhoused Neighbors and the Former Boys & Girls Club
Grant Street Community and BLK South recently met with Durham Community Safety Director Ryan Smith to discuss a community-centered vision for the former Boys & Girls Club and learn how Durham is supporting neighbors experiencing homelessness. Although Housing & Neighborhood Services Director Sarah Viñas was unable to attend, we look forward to continuing the conversation with her and other City and community partners.
Haven Design Build Offers Support for the Boys & Girls Club Vision
An encouraging conversation with Haven Design Build brought valuable insight, potential planning support, and promising new connections for the former Boys & Girls Club property. This relationship marks another meaningful step toward transforming the site into a community-centered space shaped by the vision and needs of Grant Street residents.
Communicating a Desired Partnership with Durham Housing Authority
What does it look like for neighbors to have a seat at the table? This week, members of the Grant Street Community attended the Durham Housing Authority Board meeting to advocate for opportunities that support neighborhood wealth-building, student housing, local property management, and the future Villages of Hayti grocery store. We left encouraged by a positive response from the Board and hopeful about building a stronger partnership as Hayti's future continues to unfold.
803 Simmons Street Begins Its Next Chapter
A couple connected to the Grant Street Community is under contract on the home with a shared vision of contributing to the long-term flourishing of the neighborhood. Located immediately beside the future Grant Street Community Garden, the property represents more than a home—it is an opportunity to invest in relationships, hospitality, and the life of the community.
The Story of 702 & 704 Grant Street
On March 20, 2026, the Grant Street community gathered to celebrate something both historic and deeply rooted in years of quiet, persistent work—a new kind of home on a familiar street.
The open house, led by Durham Community Land Trustees, marked the unveiling of 702 and 704 Grant Street: a first-of-its-kind detached duplex in the Hayti community.