Moeser hopes to continue his legacy of preservation

The striking impression of historic beauty on UNC's main campus is the result of years of preservation efforts, which may continue their tradition at the University's satellite campus, Carolina North.

In order to better preserve the historic buildings, Moeser created the position of campus historic preservation manager, hiring Paul Kapp to lead in the effort.

"When I arrived, one of the things I did was to insist that we had on staff a highly qualified expert," Moeser said. "Someone who understands the proper techniques of the preservation of architectural landmarks."

Since Kapp was hired more than six years ago, he said he has worked to preserve and restore buildings across the historic section of campus, which includes projects as large as Steele Building and as small as the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center sundial.

"My voice is one of many that come to a consensus on how to preserve the buildings and still make them vital to the University's mission," Kapp said.

Moeser and Kapp agreed that the historic buildings were restored with the primary focus on their functionality.

But Moeser added that not every building on campus has been able to meet University needs. The most controversial has been West House, which was demolished in 2006.

Buildings on the main campus, though, are not the only concern for preservation.

Moeser said designs for Carolina North follow a model of environmental sustainability in order to create a "21st century campus." The campus will include the usage of solar energy, environmentally friendly building materials and the retention of storm water, which would limit water usage.

Moeser also added that several of the historical aspects which have been preserved on the University's main campus will be carried over to Carolina North, including a stone wall reminiscent of the one surrounding the main campus.

"Driving up and down Martin Luther King (Blvd.), you're going to see that stone wall bearing the link of that whole campus," Moeser said. "One which I think will clearly identify it as part of the University of North Carolina."

History will not just be brought to Carolina North, it will be preserved there, as well.

UNC Landscape Architect Jill Coleman said a majority of the land will not be developed, and approximately three-quarters of the site will be left as forest in its natural and existing condition.

"In terms of preservation, I think the thrust of that is in preserving as much of the existing forest as possible," Coleman said. "Even within the development that we are going to put in, we're going to bring in some new green spaces."

Coleman said the new green spaces would include trees brought into to the area of development, which lies along the Horace Williams Airport runway strip.

"This is an area where there are no trees right now," she said. "We're going to bring the forest back into the development in some areas so you'll never be too far away from an open space, even though it will be a very urban development."

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.