Chapel Hill

Disabled and low-income residents raise Chapel Hill parking accessibility concerns

Although all Chapel Hill residents know the struggle of finding parking downtown, the issue is even greater for those limited by a disability or cost.   Timothy Miles, the executive director for the Triangle Disability Awareness Council, said accessible parking spaces in downtown Chapel Hill are limited and oftentimes do not provide easy access to the surrounding buildings. The influx of construction in the area has also exacerbated the problem.  “That makes it very difficult to get in and out because it’s confusing — discouraging is a better word,” he said. Reis Phillips, a UNC senior and store associate at Underground Printing, also noted the financial barriers posed by parking fees downtown.  "We are the people who support this community and spend money here and live here — but we can't afford to pay to park here," she said. 

Coal ash sparks concern for potential Chapel Hill housing development

The Town of Chapel Hill has moved forward with a redevelopment plan for the Chapel Hill Police Department lot. However, certain community members are concerned about coal ash that has remained on the site.

Chapel Hill Town Council discusses next year's transit budget

'Taking care of our community': Chapel Hill Transit reveals 11 new electric buses

During a ceremony on April 8, Chapel Hill Transit introduced 11 new electric buses to its fleet. Three of them are currently in operation, and the remaining eight are expected to arrive next year.

Community members march on Franklin Street to demand local affordable housing

"House Us Now" demonstrators gathered at the Peace and Justice Plaza in downtown Chapel Hill on Saturday in hopes of constructing affordable housing units for people who make less than 30 percent of the area median income. In Chapel Hill, the AMI is about $22,500 per year.  

Chapel Hill historian receives grant to research oral history of local Black community

In mid-March, Danita Mason-Hogans was selected by the Oral History Association to receive a $60,000 federal grant to study oral histories of local Black community members. The seventh-generation Chapel Hill native will use the funds for her project, “The Invisible Town: A Critical Oral History of Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina." 

UNC Board of Governors waives standardized testing requirement through fall 2024

The BOG also discussed changes to out-of-state undergraduate enrollment caps and funding approvals for capital projects — including UNC-Chapel Hill's innovation hub.

From trash to treasure: NCMA celebrates eighth 'Art in Bloom' festival

From March 16-20, the North Carolina Museum of Art hosted its eighth Art in Bloom festival, where local artists created floral arrangements around the museum.  "Anything that we can do that can lift up the level of excellence for the state and statewide makes it, makes the state, shine,” said Laura Finan, director of stewardship and special initiatives at NCMA. 

Mask compliance on public transportation remains high, with some enforcement gaps

Chapel Hill Transit Director Brian Litchfield said Orange County will continue to require masks on public transportation as long as the federal mandate is in place. The mandate is set to be lifted on April 18, though it may be extended at any time.

Chapel Hill to build bike, pedestrian paths along Fordham Boulevard and Morgan Creek

Over $1 million in funding was approved by the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization board in early March for the construction of two new bike and pedestrian paths in Chapel Hill. 

Gov. Roy Cooper proclaims North Carolina as the center of college basketball

In anticipation of the upcoming Final Four matchup between UNC and Duke, Cooper proclaimed North Carolina as "the center of the college basketball universe" in a press release on Thursday.

'Full of ideas and passion': Extraordinary Ventures hires new CEO Lisa Kaylie

Prior to serving as executive director, Kaylie worked for two years on the Extraordinary Ventures board and has experience working for other nonprofit organizations.

Friends of Chapel Hill Public Library hosts first "Big Book Sale" since COVID-19

From March 25 to 27, the Friends of the Chapel Hill Public Library hosted the Big Book Sale — an event where community members could purchase used books. 

CHTC moves forward with redevelopment project despite potential health hazards

Redevelopment would include affordable housing, fire station access, connections to Bolin Creek Trail, thousands of square feet of office space and a few hundred parking spaces, in addition to the police station currently housed in the lot.

Carrboro Town Council debates alternative means of increasing affordable housing

The plan includes modifying Carrboro’s land use ordinance to permit new accessory dwelling unit construction and creating incentives for both detached and attached ADUs. 

Seafood Destiny owner Anthony Knotts faces multiple lawsuits

Anthony Knotts, who owns the newly-opened Seafood Destiny restaurant on Franklin Street, is being charged for allegedly writing and distributing false checks, in addition to charges related to an estimated $101,000 in debt.

Retirement community creates project to document the effects of the pandemic

Residents from Carolina Meadows, a retirement community in Chapel Hill, discussed their new project “Our History: Pandemic at the Meadows," which works to document the effects of COVID-19 on their lives and the community. 

'Historical moment': Compass Center appoints Christian Adams as executive director

Adams comes to the Compass Center after gaining experience in management, as well as reproductive and social justice. One of her top priorities for Compass Center is sustainable funding.

Chapel Hill Public Library to hold prescribed burn to combat invasive species

The prescribed burn will occur on a weekday by March 23 with the goal of making room for more native plants to grow on the Pritchard Park property.

'Artwork can inspire change': Chapel Hill calls for artists to paint bike racks

Selected artists will paint either a set of four U-shaped bike racks or a set of eight. The stipend for the artists will be $1,150 for the four racks and $2,300 for the eight racks.