ECO urges the Durham Board of Education and DPS staff to consider alternative sites for a new high school.  Durham residents are invested in our public schools and want to find the best solutions to support our students and teachers while also considering reasonable resource use.

Durham residents should advocate for a “smarter” site:

• that has fewer environmental, engineering and development costs
• is closer to the actual student population and allows for safe walking and/or cycling to school 
• is connected to City/County infrastructure like libraries, parks and public transportation, 
• is on a flatter, already cut-over or post-commercial site rather than mature hardwood forest
• does not degrade a tributary of New Hope Creek
• that includes a development plan with "green" building practices like energy efficency and a smaller footprint

While DPS is not releasing the names or locations of the other sites under consideration, ECO is aware of a potential site owned by Duke University that might be a better location for a high school.  In fact Duke University offered this site to DPS.  

This site is on Duke Homestead Rd. north of I-85.  It has a number of advantages over the Erwin-Cornwallis site:

•  The topography of this site is better suited for construction, meaning lower costs to taxpayers.
• It is close to existing bus routes.  Access to public transportation is critical for working students, students participating in after-hours activities, and facilitating parental involvement. 
• It is less than a 2 mile drive from Durham County Stadium, where DPS has informed us that new high schools will be playing their football games.  The Erwin-Cornwallis site is a 7 mile drive.  A shorter commute to the stadium means less taxpayer and private money spent on bus and car transportation.
• Its proximity to existing commercial developments means access to services for students and employees.   

One problem could be that the site is slightly outside the area in which DPS wants to locate a new school and might require some creative thinking for a new school assignment area.

Policy 11.2.2d. of the Durham Comprehensive Plan says, "The Durham Public Schools shall consider using existing inactive facilities and site for reuse."  DPS should think creatively about existing sites in high-density areas that could be redeveloped.