Inside the Organization
History
Downtown Durham, Inc. (DDI) is a 501(c) 6 organization, formed in 1993 to serve as a catalyst for downtown revitalization.
With more than $1.7 billion dollars invested over the past 20 years, downtown is now a thriving climate able to support additional business, retail and housing growth. Since 1993 Downtown has grown from just 160 residents to more than 1,500; added over 300 new businesses; increased its annual visitors by more than 1 million; and added nearly 2 million square feet of new office space. Investments slated for the near future will bring total dollars invested to nearly $2 billion.
In 2012, DDI became the entity responsible for the downtown Durham Business Improvement District, a .8 mile area where property owners are assessed a small additional tax to create a cleaner, safer and more vibrant downtown community. The tax is used by the BID to fund the Ambassadors program, which provides maintenance services that supplement those offered by the city, as well as to develop and fund district-wide placemaking and marketing initiatives that support businesses located in the district.
DDI is the engine for economic development and growth in downtown Durham, and the entity that focuses solely on the economic health, diversity, attractiveness and vibrancy of downtown.
Committees
In addition to our working board, which is made up of downtown Durham stakeholders, DDI engages in regular dialogue with the community through two committees.
Diversity Advisory Committee
The purpose of the Diversity Advisory Committee is to increase two-way communication with a broad array of community members about what is happening in downtown Durham, to encourage racially and culturally diverse events to locate downtown and to invite racially and culturally diverse community groups to explore opportunities downtown.
Clean and Safe Advisory Committee
The purpose of the Downtown Clean and Safe Advisory Committee is to provide feedback and render advice with respect to the operation of Business Improvement District's Clean and Safe Ambassador services.
People
Staff
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Nicole J. Thompson
President/CEO
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Anna Branly
Internal Resources Manager
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Rebekah Mixon
Economic Development Research Analyst
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Melissa Muir
Director of Operations & Programs
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Gina Rozier
Director of Marketing
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Rachel Wexler
Director of Special Projects
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Erik Nystrom
Clean & Safe Operations Manager
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Board of Directors
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Jessica Brock
Board Chair
Longfellow Real Estate Partners -
Jes Averhart
Leadership Triangle
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Tucker Bartlett
Self-Help Credit Union
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Rebecca Bolton
Durham Convention Center
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Robert Emerson
Emerson Land Planning, PLLC
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Indira Everett
Duke Energy Carolinas
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Sandi Haynes
Non-profit Executive Search Consultant
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Shannon Healy
Alley Twenty Six
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Doug Henderson-James
DCP CoHousing Community, LLC
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John Hodges-Copple
Triangle J Council of Governments
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Zena Howard
Perkins & Will
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Brenda A. Howerton
Durham County Commission
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Adam Klein
American Underground
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Chan Little
The 360 Approach
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Shelley McPhatter
BridgePoint
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Mark-Anthony Middleton
Durham City Council
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Lew Myers
Resident
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Jeff Paine
Duda Paine Architects
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Bryson Powell
East West Partners
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Justin Sacco
LRC Properties
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Anthony Scott
Durham Housing Authority
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Scott Selig
Duke University Capital Assets
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Gloria Shealey
The Daniele Company
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Craig Shipley
The Durham Hotel
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James H. Sills, III
M&F Bank
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Mark Stanford
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc
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Lucy Stokes
Somerset Partners
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Iona Thomas
McAdams
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Larry Tilley
Acme Plumbing
Contact
DDI Office Location
115 Market St, Suite 213
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: 919-682-2800