Store's owner says it'll work with officials

A local economic advisory board is prepared to take action in order to fill a vacant downtown building, despite claims from the property owner that it will take steps to improve its appearance.

Members of the Chapel Hill Downtown Economic Development Corporation have expressed concern about the vacant Wicked Burrito restaurant, located at 214 W. Franklin St.

At its meeting Wednesday, the group agreed to forward to the Chapel Hill Town Council a resolution to condemn the property, which is owned by a subsidiary of Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon, based out of Wichita, Kan.

But Lone Star Executive Vice President John White said his company only became aware of the property’s condition after the corporation’s discussion Wednesday.

“That’s the first we heard of it,” he said.

White said the company sent a representative to Chapel Hill on Thursday to evaluate the condition of the property. He emphasized that the company is still interested in using the building, but declined to comment on its specific plans.

But the building, which has been vacant since January 2000, is now in disrepair, corporation Chairwoman Andrea Rohrbacher said. “It is an extreme eyesore to the central business district of downtown Chapel Hill,” she said.

Rohrbacher said she would be willing to work with Lone Star, provided that executives give the corporation specific information about when they plan to develop the property.

But White said his company would not engage in those types of discussions. “We’re not going to telegraph our ideas or the time table.”

Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy said Thursday that the property owners have been “irresponsible” and applauded the corporation’s attempt to get results.

“We want something done about (the building),” he said.

But Foy also said there could be more than one solution.

He said the town would most likely take a multilateral approach in dealing with the problem.

Council members will receive the resolution Monday.

Foy said the council likely will refer the resolution to Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos for review.

But Karpinos said he first needs more clarity from the corporation about its intent to condemn the property.

“It’s not clear to me, based on my understanding of the situation, what they are asking,” he said.

He said that condemnation could mean boarding up the building for health and safety reasons.

But it could also mean the acquisition of the property through eminent domain, which allows public agencies to claim private property for public use.

While it is unclear what action the town will take, Rohrbacher said dealing with the problem is of utmost importance to the corporation.

“The overall issue is that something needs to be done with that space.”

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