A 20-acre tract of land at Lakewood Avenue and Roxboro Street, Rolling Hills lies near the middle of what was formerly the Hayti section of Durham. Twice since 1985, private developers began developing the land, then owned by the city Redevelopment Commission, as a residential subdivision. Both developers failed to complete their projects, and in 2003 the city repossessed the undeveloped and unsold lots for delinquent loans.

Since 2006, the city has begun a third effort at redevelopment there, buying out and relocating private owners and residents at public expense.