DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) – Leaders in Durham are still working towards getting pre-pandemic foot traffic back to the city’s downtown area. They say the numbers are encouraging with an increase last year.

So you might be seeing more people on the streets in Durham. As Downtown Durham Inc. reports, the area saw 10 million visits last year, which is a nine percent increase over 2022. Still, there’s more work ahead.

“We, like all downtowns, are still waking up and coming out of the global pandemic,” Downtown Durham Inc. President and CEO Nicole J. Thompson said. “But we are very encouraged about what we are seeing.”

Looking back at the highlights of 2023 and giving a preview of what to expect in the next year, local organizations took part in the State of Downtown Durham event on Wednesday. 

“Our job here is to create a downtown that’s creative, that’s diverse, that’s connected,” Interface Studio Principal Scott Page, who is assisting with the development of the Downtown Durham Blueprint 2035, said.

Thompson said the residential market is a highlight, and many developments are still under construction like the Novus high-rise that’s towering over the city. 

“We should not overlook or downplay how important having residents and residential developments in our downtown [is],” Thompson said. “Certainly, we’re seeing an uptick in affordable housing.”

She said small businesses are doing well and festivals are coming back.

“We would like to see it just pinging like it was in 2019, but we’re not there,” Thompson said. “And we’re very happy about what we’re seeing today in 2023. Looking forward in 2024, we’re just going to build off of that.”

Currently in development is that Downtown Durham Blueprint 2035, which aims to address challenges and find creative solutions.

According to DDI’s statistics, downtown lost 17 businesses in 2023, but gained 21.