By: Ms Jheri Worldwide
Staff Writer
The fight to preserve Raleigh’s historic Black neighborhoods, like the Prince Hall District, has intensified as developers encroach on land once vital to the African American community. In an exclusive interview, Eugene Myrick, a mayoral candidate and advocate for these neighborhoods, sheds light on the ongoing battle against gentrification and the exploitation of Black landowners.
“Prince Hall District was once a majority-Black neighborhood,” Myrick explains. “It’s a historic overlay, meaning it’s protected by law. But as land becomes more valuable with downtown’s expansion, developers are swooping in to get access to that land.” Myrick explained that Prince Hall has deep historical roots, with the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge as one of its most iconic structures. The Masonic Lodge, which is designated as a historic landmark, used to house North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance, one of the first insurance companies for Black people. “It was a sanctuary for Black people when there were few places we could go,” Myrick says, referencing the Lodge and the Lincoln Theatre as the only Black-owned spaces in downtown Raleigh. He shared stories our elders told him about this being a safe space where they could play, watch films, and be themselves growing up.
Today, the district is under threat. Developers seek to build a high-rise hotel and other commercial properties, drastically changing the character of the neighborhood. “One developer wanted to build a 12-story hotel next to the Masonic Lodge. This area is historic, and the Masonic building is only three stories high. A 12-story hotel would tower over it,” Myrick continues. Myrick questions the ethics behind these developments. “Councilman Branch is the ringleader behind a lot of this. He’s putting developer interests over Black homeowners and historic preservation.” Many involved in the conversation believe that politicians like Councilman Corey Branch are facilitating these changes at the expense of the community.
We spoke with Councilman Corey Branch and he shared, “This project was a rezoning for vacant land directly beside the Prince Hall Masonic lodge that the Prince Hall Mason’s actually owned. We’re selling to the developer for redevelopment.”
The proposed hotel project has been controversial from the start. “The Planning Commission rejected it. The Raleigh Historic Commission rejected it. It doesn’t even have a certificate of appropriateness, but still, it’s being pushed forward,” Myrick shared. “And why? Because the same planning commissioner who recused himself due to a financial conflict has ties to Corey Branch—his spouse is Branch’s campaign manager. This is a conflict of interest that’s being ignored.”
In regards to building height Councilman Branch indicated, “Taking that consideration, the height of the original project was lowered. Originally it was around twelve stories. It has been lowered to seven stories. The first three stories have to look very similar. Of course, it’d be a little more modern based on the technology, but similar to the current Prince Hall building as far as floor spacing. And then they can build 68ft above that, which is equivalent to, when you add it all together, another four stories which equals seven.”
In addition to political influence, Myrick highlights how developers are taking advantage of elderly Black property owners. “A developer will secure a property under contract and then claim that Black people want out of the Prince Hall District. But when you ask to see these people, they’re nowhere to be found. Are they actually representing the homeowners or just the developers?” He also shares an example of this exploitation, involving an 82-year-old Black woman who was unknowingly bound by a contract to a developer. “I tried to rent office space from her, but she told me she couldn’t talk about it because of the developer. Developers are preying on the elderly, offering them deals that line their pockets while stripping the community of its heritage.”
The issue isn’t confined to the Prince Hall District alone. Myrick, a graduate of Shaw University, criticizes the leadership of his alma mater for mismanaging funds and allowing developers to encroach on their land. “Shaw University has an empty dormitory that has been vacant for years, yet the administration sits on the Downtown Raleigh Alliance board, doing nothing to protect the school’s interests,” he says. “They’re burning through money, posting losses while developers circle, waiting to snatch up the land.”
Myrick’s frustration is palpable as he describes the broader picture. “We have Black realtors and leaders working with developers instead of protecting our people’s legacy. They’re lining their pockets while the community suffers,” he says. “Once these buildings are gone, once this land is sold, it’s not Black anymore. We’re losing our history.”
The Prince Hall District and other historic Black neighborhoods in Raleigh are at a crossroads. If developments like the proposed hotel are allowed to proceed, it could signal the beginning of the end for what remains of these cultural landmarks. “This is about preserving Black history. Just because our history isn’t as old as other places doesn’t mean it’s not important,” Myrick says passionately. “If we don’t stand up now, there will be nothing left to stand up for.”
As Raleigh’s Black communities continue to be pushed out, Myrick calls for greater accountability from city leaders and for the community to rally together. “We need to stop this exploitation before it’s too late,” he warns. This story reflects the ongoing fight to protect Raleigh’s Black history, a struggle that is far from over.
