The Story of 702 & 704 Grant Street
A New Chapter on Grant Street: 702 & 704
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. Designed with care and intention, the homes reflect a commitment to accessibility, sustainability, and long-term affordability. With ADA-accessible features on the first floor and universal design woven throughout, these homes are built not just for today, but for generations.
But this moment didn’t begin with construction.
The Women Who Made It Possible
At the center of this story are the women many have come to know as The Grant Street Ladies: Ms. Brenda Bradsher, Ms. Vivian Gunn, Ms. Joanne Brown, Ms. Pam Blake, and Ms. Diane Merritt.
Their leadership stretches far beyond this single project. For years, they have held the memory, relationships, and vision of this neighborhood—advocating for what it could be, even when resources were scarce and attention was limited.
Through their persistence, something significant happened.
They helped secure the donation of three county-owned properties—702, 704, and 917 Grant Street—ensuring that these lots would not be lost to speculation, but instead used for the good of the community.
What makes this even more meaningful is that these were not just vacant parcels of land. These lots were once home to the ancestors of the Grant Street Ladies—the very families who built life on this block generations ago. What we are witnessing now is not simply development, but a form of return. A remembering. A continuation of presence on land that has always held their stories.
That advocacy opened the door for partnership with Durham Community Land Trustees and made possible the development we now see taking shape.
Today, much of the affordable housing work emerging on Grant Street can be traced back to their steady presence, their belief in this neighborhood, and their refusal to let its future be decided without them.
What Was Built
The Grant Street Project signals a new chapter for housing in Hayti—one shaped by community voice and long-term care.
The development includes:
A for-sale home with an attached Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Three rental units designed for long-term affordability
ADA accessibility and universal design features
Sustainable building practices
These homes represent more than new construction. They are part of a broader effort to create housing that is stable, inclusive, and rooted in place.
This work has been made possible through a network of partners, including:
The City of Durham
NeighborWorks America
The Durham Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
The Cannon Foundation
Duke Office of Durham & Community Affairs
Together, these partnerships reflect what can happen when institutions align with community-led vision.
Looking Ahead
This is only the beginning.
Additional fundraising is ongoing, and future phases of development are anticipated to continue building on this momentum. Nearby, 714 Grant Street—the oldest home on the block—is in process to be added into this growing effort, further anchoring the work in both history and possibility.
What is unfolding on Grant Street is not just about housing. It is about continuity. It is about neighbors shaping what happens on their own block. It is about honoring the past while making room for what comes next.
— The Grant Street Community
