In his "State of the City" address Monday night, Durham Mayor Bill Bell (below) re-emphasized his support for the Rolling Hills/Southside revitalization, while acknowledging that the project has met setbacks and generated opposition from some quarters.

"I remain convinced that revitalization of Rolling Hills and Southside must happen," Bell said, "and we are making progress."

Improvements in the long-depressed 125-acre section near downtown, along with other inner-city neighborhoods, were one of four priorities the mayor set out for 2011. The others were:
 

• Creating and retaining jobs;
• Improved public transit in Durham and the Triangle region
• Strategic planning for the city's future.