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Hello, neighbors! From time change reminders and an upcoming facility closure to Peoples Academy successes and a St. Patrick's Day diving event, this week's Our Town is bursting with updates. |
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Community Center Temporarily Closing for HVAC Upgrades
Starting Monday, March 23, the Community Center on S. Estes Dr. will be closed so that crews can replace the facility's HVAC system. We expect the Community Center to reopen in May. During this time, we invite you to check out our other facilities:
- For swimming, visit Homestead Aquatic Center, which offers educational, recreation, and aquatic-related programming.
- Volleyball leagues will move to the Nate Davis, Sr. Gymnasium at the Hargraves Community Center and the gym at Rashkis Elementary.
- Morning indoor pickleball programs will move to Ephesus Park and Southern Community Park.
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EATS2SEATS Announces Chapel Hill HQ, Expansion
Eight years ago, a sophomore at UNC-Chapel Hill founded a business called EATS2SEATS. Now, they plan to relocate its headquarters to downtown Chapel Hill and create new jobs as it grows its operations.
EATS2SEATS is leveraging an economic development incentive the Town Council approved at its meeting Wednesday night.
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Downtown Parking Changes, Increased Traffic for UNC v. Duke Basketball
Saturday night, the Tar Heels will take on the Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, but downtown Chapel Hill will still be buzzing. Here's what to expect:
- Starting at 2 p.m., there will be no on-street parking along E. Franklin St. Instead park at the 125 E. Rosemary Deck.
- Carolina fans will be downtown to watch the game, which means more people and traffic. Slow down and watch for everyone walking and driving.
- Have fun, be safe, and GO HEELS!
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Time Change Coming March 8
When you change your clocks on Sunday, make sure to check the batteries in your smoke detector:
- change alkaline batteries you didn't change last fall.
- check the date on the back of the detector and replace any that are 10+ years old.
- check to see if your detector was recalled. (Amazon recently recalled almost 11,000)
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New Downtown Police Substation Opening March 9
A new downtown police substation at 306 W. Franklin St. will open Monday, March 9. Much like the substation on E. Franklin St., this substation will serve as a place where people can speak with police staff, file a report, and connect to resources. It will be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Congrats, Peoples Academy Attendees!
We hosted another successful, engaging, bilingual Spanish/English Peoples Academy this week. Participants first met with staff from 14 different departments and OWASA as part of a tabling fair, picking up swag and learning about our services along the way. During the main session, they heard from Town leadership about who we are and what we do, and participated in group activities. One participant described the session as "very effective and productive" and another said what they liked most was "time with representatives of each department." Thanks to everyone who made this a huge success!
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Chamber Honors Police Chief
At the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro's annual meeting last week, Police Chief Celisa Lehew received the Chair's Award for Public Private Partnership. This annual award recognizes community leaders who excel in collaboration for community impact.
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Parks and Recreation Receives NRPA Grant Award
The National Recreation and Park Association awarded Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation with a $2,500 grant to provide training and development opportunities to youth sports coaches and support staff. Kudos to our Recreation Division Manager, Jonathan Ray, Sr. Recreation Supervisor, Corie Bryant, and our entire athletics team for leading the effort in providing a rewarding youth sports experience for our program participants!
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At the End of Your Rainbow, Dive for Gold
St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner, and what better way to celebrate with the kids than diving for gold? Whether they're a pro or a novice, we invite kids ages 2 - 10 to wear their green and search for hidden gold coins. Sign up for one of three sessions from 2 to 5 p.m. on March 7.
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Summer Camp Registration Opens Soon
Our comprehensive summer camp guide is out, and registration starts March 17 for residents and March 19 for non-residents. Full-day camps fill up fast, so plan ahead, review important reminders, and have your list of preferences ready as you prepare.
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Creek Week is Coming
March 21 - 29 is Orange County's 5th annual Creek Week. Creek Week celebrates the streams, lakes, and rivers that connect our communities. It's a weeklong series of activities that includes a litter cleanup challenge, community science BioBlitz, invasive plant removal, and green infrastructure tours. There's an activity for everyone!
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Celebrate Trees and Art with Faces of the Forest
On March 21 from 1-3 p.m., join us at a kickoff event celebrating trees and art with a new ceramic art installation in Pritchard Park. Enjoy an artist talk, walks through the park, clay demos, and more. Get acquainted with our native trees while viewing Faces of the Forest, a collection of twelve ceramic faces and masks created by Chapel Hill’s own Levi Yakubu, a fifth-generation Nigerian potter.
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Walk Audit:
S. Merritt Mill Rd. on March 11
The Vision Zero team invites you to join a S. Merritt Mill Rd. walk audit on Wednesday, March 11, from 9 to 10 a.m. A walk audit allows us to assess the conditions of a street, identify safety concerns, and develop potential improvements in an area. This audit route will be about one mile. Meet on Merritt Mill Rd. in front of the Jiffy Lube building.
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Serve on the OWASA Board of Directors
Are you passionate about public service and interested in serving on a board that plays a vital role in overseeing water and sewer services for our community? Apply to serve on the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) Board of Directors by March 20. They meet every second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. in the OWASA Community Room.
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Apply to Serve on Other Boards or Commissions
You can also make a difference by serving on one of our other boards or commissions. These other advisory groups help shape Town policies and programs, and your voice matters! Review eligibility requirements and apply by March 31.
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Summer Youth Employment Application Closes March 6
If your 14- to 18-year-old is looking for some summer cash, our Summer Youth Employment program might be perfect for them. They'll work about 20 hours a week in different Town departments or area non-profits. They'll also attend career prep workshops to learn interviewing skills, resume writing, and more! (Must meet household income guidelines)
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Share Your Wares at Pride Promenade
We're looking for art vendors and nonprofits to participate in our 5th annual Chapel Hill Pride Promenade on Saturday, June 6. Kick off Pride Month by sharing your work and connecting with the Chapel Hill community. It's free to apply and participate.
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Artist Call: Artistic Bus W(RAP)
We’re lookin for Triangle-based artists who love music and can translate rhythm, lyricism, and flow into bold visual artwork for the exterior of a Chapel Hill Transit bus. Blurring the lines between music and visual design, this piece will connect to "Talk of the Town," a community mixtape in progress by Chapel Hill Poet Laureate Donovan Livingston. Open to artists 18+ who live within 40 miles of Chapel Hill. Finalist stipends are $400, and project stipend is $2,500. Apply by March 24 at 5pm.
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Historic District Commission
Tuesday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m. |
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New for Week of March 8
Estes Dr. pedestrian refuge island work
March 11 - 13, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Flaggers will maintain traffic.
Barbee Chapel Rd., Old State Hwy 54/Stancell Dr., Littlejohn Rd. at 54, and intersection of Barbee Chapel Hill at 54 road work
March 9 - May 30, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Lane closures through the area. In some instances, flaggers will maintain traffic. In others, signs will be posted to direct traffic.
Davie Circle sewer line repair
March 9 - 13, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Flaggers will maintain traffic.
Ongoing
Rosemary St. road closure
OWASA is replacing an aging water main along W. Rosemary St., which will require significant road closures and detours.
Finley Forest Dr. near Barbee Chapel Rd. sewer line work
March 2 - 13, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
One lane and the sidewalk will be closed. Follow any posted detours.
No parking on E. Franklin St. from Henderson St. to Church St.
Saturday, March 7, starting at 2 p.m.
304 E. Franklin St. lane closure for event
Saturday, March 7, morning to afternoon
Millhouse Rd. closure for NCDOT I-40 widening project
Feb. 22 - March 15, 24/7
Road will be closed for approximately three weeks. After those three weeks, the road will open one lane with flaggers or portable signals. Follow any posted detour signs during the full closure.
119 Bennett Way sidewalk closure
Feb. 16, 2026 - Dec. 31, 2027, 24/7
The sidewalk will be closed to accommodate protective fencing around the property to secure the site during land-clearing activities and underground utility installation.
Long-term lane closure: S. Columbia St. UNC steam tunnel replacement
Dec. 2025 to Dec. 2027
One lane will be closed between South Rd./McCauley St. and Cameron Ave.
207-209 Meadowmont Ln. sidewalk and bike lane closure
Present to March 2026
Drivers should remain alert to bicyclists merging into the main travel lane.
Columbia St. Carrington Hall work
Present to December 2026
A pedestrian detour is in place along S. Columbia St. near Medical Dr. as crews work on Carrington Hall.
To Be Determined
Pope Rd. near Ephesus Church Rd. NCDOT culvert repair
Dates to be determined. For more information, email Jcmanuel-nelson@ncdot.gov
All road work depends on the weather. Schedules may change accordingly. Google Maps and Waze show the most up-to-date conditions.
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