E.K. Powe Mural Project

Between school drop offs, breakfast runs, and the fire department, vehicles line the streets at the intersection of 9th Street and W. Knox each morning and afternoon. The high traffic area has been cause for concern among neighbors, especially parents at E.K. Powe. Currently the intersection allows for through traffic on 9th street with a closed slip lane and stop sign at the corner of W. Knox St. Previously the slip lane lacked much needed protection for pedestrians and cyclists. Its extension beyond the stop sign allowed drivers to roll into the crosswalk, impeding visibility and safety for pedestrians.

As a result of Bike Durham and Old West Durham Neighborhood Association advocacy efforts, the city closed off the slip lane at the intersection with plastic bollards in 2023. Aiming to further connectivity and increase safety in the neighborhood, Bike Durham has undertaken an asphalt art project to address residents’ concerns in the high traffic area. The Old West Durham Neighborhood Association and E.K. Powe PTA engaged Bike Durham in the project is leading a collaborative mural project to establish traffic calming techniques and increase a sense of community ownership over the space.The art teacher at E.K. Powe is the artist on the project, utilizing her time with students to brainstorm and engage students in creatively expressing the values and imagery they feel are representative of their community. With sights on implementation in 2026 following the completion of waterline repair work, the final mural design will be an amalgamation of student design, community input, and case study research.

Have ideas or inspiration you'd like to share for the mural? We're gathering community input through a short survey with a few questions about values, imagery, and what you'd like to see in the space. You’ll also have the option to upload a drawing or design if you’d like to provide a visual but it is not required. Your responses will help shape the mural to be representative of the broader Old West Durham community and support safer streets.

The mural project is an integral part of an overarching project by Bike Durham to provide recommendations to the city on how to effectively support neighborhood’s in community led “quick build” and traffic safety projects. By researching case studies across the US and meeting with project managers to discuss the most effective strategies for community led quick build initiatives. Asphalt art has been an effective tool within pilot programs to advocate for safer streets. While the mural is intended to be maintained by the school community, it will also serve to demonstrate a need for permanent implementation of traffic calming measures.