DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — Wednesday marks five years since a gas explosion ravaged part of downtown Durham, killing two people and injuring more than two dozen others.
It was one of the biggest events ever in Durham, and after all this time, that property remains a vacant lot.
On April 10, 2019, the destruction took place on the corner of North Duke and Morgan streets.
Haleigh Holder remembers that day. Her father is a firefighter who responded to the scene.
“They pretty much just told us that there was a big explosion,” Holder, who works just a block away, said. “Me knowing that my dad was a firefighter, I was worried about it.”
After half a decade, the explosion site sits fenced off. Businesses next to it are still empty on one of Durham’s busiest streets.
Mayor Leonardo Williams calls it prime real estate.
“It takes so much more than just somebody just making something appear, so I ask that our community have patience,” Williams said.
Real estate developer Austin Lawrence Partners tells CBS 17 it owns the property where the explosion took place. The property was up for sale but was recently taken off the market. The developer also said there are no immediate plans, but something will come in the future.
“I hope that whatever does go there that they think of building community, being a part of the fabric that already exists but also contributing to it with unique things that may not even exist,” Williams said.
The mayor believes a building with retail and housing is the best option. Other residents like Holder said the businesses should stay local and recognize what happened.
“Just to kind of remember its past and not just build something over it that completely ignores what happened there,” Holder said.
Durham officials said they’ll encourage the developer to build that community.
