West Durham's Hosiery Mills dye house to undergo transformation

Scott Bednaz, best known for the changes he’s already made to the Straw Valley Project properties in west Durham, wants to turn the old Durham Hosiery Mills dye house at 708 Gilbert St. into the next Durham hotspot. His idea includes fully renovating the interior, which could open it up for a mix of uses, including office space on the second floor, retail shops, restaurant space, storage and even room for a brewery or distillery operation.Plans to keep the heavy timber wood framing and steel trusses, which are original to the 1920s-era building, and other elements will allow it to maintain its status on the National Register of Historic Places. The estimated cost of the project is about $4 million. The project is pending city approval.