🌳 AbbVie Picks Durham for $1.4B Campus
This week in Durham: a $1.4B AbbVie campus lands in Durham, DPS schools face demolition, and teachers walk out May 1.
AbbVie Picks Durham for $1.4B Campus
AbbVie has chosen Durham for a $1.4 billion campus, one of the largest single economic investments the city has ever attracted. The pharmaceutical giant's decision brings hundreds of permanent jobs and thousands of construction roles to Durham County.
- The campus is projected to create 734 permanent jobs and more than 2,000 construction positions.
- At $1.4 billion, the investment ranks among the largest corporate commitments Durham has received.
- AbbVie is a global pharmaceutical company known for blockbuster drugs including Humira.
Parents Push Back on DPS School Demolition Plan
Durham Public Schools is weighing a plan to demolish three elementary schools to help address a nearly $1 billion repair backlog. Families say losing school buildings would gut their neighborhoods, not just the district's balance sheet.
- The repair backlog across DPS facilities has climbed to nearly $1 billion.
- Three elementary schools are under consideration for demolition as a cost-offset measure.
- Parents pushed back publicly, arguing the impact on their communities is as significant as the financial math.
Durham Rejects Two Housing Projects, Approves One
Durham's city council wrapped a seven-hour meeting past 2 a.m. with a split decision on three housing proposals, approving 300 homes while rejecting hundreds more over infrastructure concerns.
- The council voted 4-3 to approve Bella Ridge at 3013 Burton Road, with the applicant committing $2 million to roadway improvements and raising affordable housing to 8%.
- Patterson Hall, a 180-unit mixed-use project on Patterson Road, was unanimously rejected after residents warned congestion already delays emergency vehicles in the corridor.
- Morgan Farm, proposed by Raleigh developer M/I Homes, was turned down in a 5-2 council vote, with flooding and infrastructure concerns driving opposition.
Roundup
- DPS canceled classes May 1 after more than 600 teachers requested the day off to join a statewide funding and pay protest.
- Triangle county leaders formally opposed a statewide property tax cap that they say would squeeze schools, jails, and health services.
- A Durham energy firm was fined $1.1 billion by federal regulators for what FERC called one of the largest capacity market frauds in its history.
- Mayor Leonardo Williams used his State of the City address to set a 2031 target to make homelessness rare and call for collective action on gun violence.
- An appeals court revived a libel suit by Council Member Holsey-Hyman, ruling that Johnson and Middleton can't claim legislative immunity for allegedly spreading false extortion claims.
- Spectrum Companies broke ground on 267 apartments near Northgate Mall as Walltown residents warned that more market-rate units will displace longtime neighbors.
Events
Film Screening: Hamilton, 2020
Thu, April 23 · Nasher Museum
Alison Krauss & Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas
Fri, April 24 · DPAC
ARMAND HAMMER
Fri, April 24 · Motorco Music Hall
Space Scavengers
Fri, April 24 · Museum of Life and Science
2026 Spring Soils Festival
Sat, April 25 · DPS Hub Farm
Canine Field Day
Sat, April 25 · APS of Durham
Oyster Roast at Ponysaurus Brewing Co.
Sat, April 25 · Ponysaurus Brewing Co.
Floetry Featuring Raheem DeVaughn
Sun, April 26 · DPAC
Biscuits & Banjos presents: Rhiannon Giddens' Beloved Community
Mon, April 27 · DPAC
Alice Cooper
Tue, April 28 · DPAC
Real Estate
1 Roswell Ct
6 bed, 5 bath, 5,428 sqft
$2,100,000
3611 Rugby Rd
5 bed, 5 bath, 4,304 sqft
$1,490,000
3 Old Hope Creek Path
5 bed, 4 bath, 4,000 sqft
$1,190,000
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