The Triangle

Light Rail Environmental Impact Statement Public Information Session

Learn more about the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation (DEIS) for the proposed Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit (D-O LRT) Project.  A formal public meeting where you can give feedback will be held on September 29.

Date: 

Tuesday, September 15, 2015 - 4:00pm to 7:00pm

Location: 

Friday Center, 100 Friday Center Drive, Chapel Hill

A Few Observations on Hillsborough's Flag Day

A work day planned for Greensboro on Saturday thankfully fell through, so I told my wife instead I would lunch at Weaver Street, then wander up to the Town Barn for the Confederate flag rally, and... would she honor me her company? She was shocked. Shocked! But, I reminded her what a gorgeous day it was, we needed lunch anyway, and wouldn't she rather meet and talk with folks she wanted to hate, to find out if they really were as loathsome as she believed? As for me, I was going to go with her or without because, as a photographer, I wouldn't miss it unless I had no other choice.

For reference, here is a link to a few of the pics I took. Nothing earth shattering, but many of the events I mention here have a corresponding picture. https://flic.kr/s/aHskhSFa8D

Building the "Chapel Hill" Brand

This commentary, written by me and fellow OP editor Molly De Marco, originally appeared in the Chapel Hill News on July 26, 2015.

Chapel Hill has a branding problem. There, we said it – and we said it because it’s time for us to have a frank and honest discussion about just exactly what Chapel Hill is and who we are as Chapel Hillians.

Far too often these days, it’s common for people to compare Chapel Hill to Durham or even Raleigh. But the fact is that we’re not Durham and we’re not Raleigh – and more importantly, we’re not competing with Durham or Raleigh.

Rather, as one of the nation’s leading and most desirable college towns, we’re competing with towns and cities across the country with major research universities, like Ann Arbor, Bloomington, Athens, and Austin.

Acknowledging this is the first step toward developing a Chapel Hill brand and using it to attract the individuals, businesses, and opportunities that will make Chapel Hill a unique regional and national leader.

Town Hall Series Starts Next Week

Starting next week, I'll be hosting a series of four Town Hall events that each focus on a different issue in our community: downtown Chapel Hill, social and environmental justice, economic development and working together in Orange County. 

I want these events to be an opportunity for residents to engage and take an active role in shaping the future of our town. All you need to bring is an open mind and ideas for how we can build a more vibrant, livable community. Here's the schedule:

Issue: Downtown Chapel Hill
When: Wednesday, Feb. 25th at 5:30 p.m.
Where: DSI Comedy, 62 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Click here to see full event details and RSVP for the downtown Chapel Hill Town Hall.

Issue: Social and Environmental Justice
When: Saturday, Feb. 28th at 1 p.m.
Where: Rogers Road Community Center, 101 Edgar Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Durham-Orange Light Rail Workshop

All persons interested in the proposed Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit Project will get an update this fall on the 17-mile project.

"The upcoming meetings will give residents information on the environmental work that's underway," said David King, Triangle Transit General Manager. "Hearing concerns from the public will assist us as we complete the Draft Environmental Impact Statement that will be published and available for public comment next spring."

Four workshops will be held in November:

  • Tuesday, November 18, 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. - Durham Station Transportation Center, 517 W. Pettigrew Street, Durham, 27701
  • Tuesday, November 18, 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. - UNC Friday Center, Chapel Hill, 27517
  • Wednesday, November 19, 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. - Marriott/Spring Hill Suites, 5301 McFarland Road at Patterson Place, Durham, 27709
  • Thursday, November 20, 4 P.M. to 7 P.M, Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville Street, Durham, 27701

The proposed light rail line will run from Chapel Hill to East Durham serving UNC Hospitals and UNC, Mason Farm Road, Friday Center, Leigh Village, Patterson Place, South Square, Duke University, Duke University Medical Center, the VA Medical Center, downtown Durham and Alston Avenue/NC Central University.

In February, the Federal Transit Administration gave Triangle Transit the go-ahead to enter Project Development. The proposed Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit Project is one of two light rail projects nationwide approved by the US Department of Transportation this year.

The project cost is estimated at $1.34 billion dollars (in 2012 dollars). Voters in Durham and Orange counties approved a one-half cent sales tax to fund the local share of the light rail project along with new and expanded bus service.

More information about the project is available at ourtransitfuture.com.

For more information, contact Brad Schulz at 919.485.7434.

Date: 

Thursday, November 20, 2014 - 4:00pm to 7:00pm

Location: 

Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville Street, Durham, 27701

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