Downtown Development A peek into what’s to come with the Innovation District
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By E r ic J o h n s o n
ig changes are coming to downtown Chapel Hill, a makeover for Blue Heaven driven by the University’s need for more room to launch startup companies and the town’s desire to revamp Franklin Street. After years of quiet discussion between Carolina’s leaders and town officials, a plan is underway to turn a district of takeout food and T-shirt shops into a hub for biotechnology startups, young professionals and freespending visitors. “I think we’ve reached a tipping point where this has to happen,” says Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz. “For the University to grow the way it needs to, to become the anchor for economic development in this region, we need a strong and vibrant downtown.” For the first time in decades, the University and the town have a shared vision for what that might look like. Last spring, Kevin and Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger announced a joint development strategy, led by Innovate Carolina (UNC’s initiative for entrepreneurship and economic development) and the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership. Their plan envisions thousands of square feet of new offices and commercial lab space on East Rosemary Street rising just behind Sutton’s Drug Store, the Shrunken Head Boutique and the Franklin Street post office. The plan also calls for moving UNC’s admissions office and its 50,000 annual visitors to a new office building on the south side of Franklin Street near Carolina Coffee Shop along Porthole Alley. Downtown streets and sidewalks will get an overhaul sometime next year to accommodate more pedestrians, green space, outdoor dining and retail shops. “You have a lot of smart people who are all pushing in the same direction,” says Matt Gladdek ’12 (MPA, MCRP), executive director for the Chapel 52
chapelhillmagazine.com
December 2022
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