"The Brier Creek area in South Durham continues to see really strong population growth," Walker Gorham of Beacon Partners said.
The project is in the early stages of planning, but Gorham shared two renderings of the company's past projects in North Carolina that he said are representative of the ultimate design for "Durham Gateway at Brier Creek."
The project would be located on the north side of U.S. 70 between Leesville Road and T.W. Alexander Drive.
"This is a 310-acre tract that really presents a unique opportunity to be master-planned and incorporate a lot of the necessary and overdue infrastructure as it relates to roadway improvements, utility extensions, and pedestrian connectivity," Gorham said.
On Tuesday, some community members spoke out against the project during a city council meeting.
Pamela Andrews called for city leaders to focus on a new fire station in Southeast Durham.
"Build adequate infrastructure before allowing more dwellings," Andrews said. "Residents' and firefighters' lives are at risk when we do not have adequate equipment and fire staff."
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However, neighbors such as Josh Greene said he supports the plan, hoping it includes better walkability and green spaces where he lives.
"I certainly wouldn't be opposed to growth necessarily," Greene said. "I would like to see growth that doesn't necessarily require so much influx of cars."
Gorham said the next steps of the project include site planning and, hopefully, breaking ground on phase I of construction in 2027.
"Hopefully, what can ultimately lead to significant job generation, coupled with what we think of as complementary multifamily and higher-density residential across the 300 acres," Gorham said.