News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC (August 22, 2023) 

Here's what's new in Carrboro This Week: Welcome back students and teachers! School started this week for UNC and will begin next week for CHCCS public schools, calling for extra vigilance when traveling around town. Coming up this Sunday is the Latin American Festival on Weaver Street, and then comes a full slate of fall festivals in Carrboro. More local news includes the Town Council Update, Bolin Creek Greenway Survey, and more!

Which way for the greenway? Come take the survey about the Bolin Creek Greenway! 

The Town of Carrboro invites participation in an engagement process for the Bolin Creek Greenway to receive input on alignment options for segments of the greenway identified as Phases 3 and 4.

Learn more at our project webpage, take the survey, view maps, take a virtual tour, and make a comment on a Wikimapping platform where public input is collected on a map. The project webpage is located at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2762/Bolin-Creek-Greenway ;

Town staff will be available at some of our town’s favorite community events that draw lots of people. We’ll be hosting tables with information, maps and surveys at the Carrboro Farmers Market, Carrboro In Motion, July Fourth and the Latin American Festival, and the Carrboro Music Festival. Information will be provided in various formats and languages. 

We will also connect with people in less formal settings and will be seeking out participation throughout town at drop-by or pop-up stops. You may find Town staff outside your favorite grocery store, laundromat or hair salon as they seek public input on this project. Community outreach will occur through early October. 

The Bolin Creek Greenway Conceptual Master Plan, adopted by the Town of Carrboro in 2009, plans for improvements to the corridor along Bolin Creek and Jones Creek to allow for walking, wheeling and bicycling, including action steps, project prioritization and phasing, land acquisition strategies, and potential renovation recommendations. The corridor for these segments of the Bolin Creek Greenway extends about three miles. View the plan at https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12366/Bolin-Creek-Greenway-Conceptual-Master-Plan-

The planning area (Bolin Creek Conceptual Master Plan) starts at Estes Drive and encompasses the land around the creek through Carolina North Forest under Homestead Road. It continues to a point of connection with the existing Jones Creek Greenway in the future Twin Creeks Park that extends to Morris Grove Elementary School.

The Town’s project webpage https://www.carrboronc.gov/2762/Bolin-Creek-Greenway includes: 

• Survey to receive input on alignment options
• Map illustrating the alternative alignments 
• Background information and FAQs
• Story map to offer a virtual tour of the area
• Wikimapping platform to allow people to draw lines and make comments on a map

The Bolin Creek Greenway engagement effort was requested by the Town Council and is organized by the Communication and Engagement Department with technical support from the Planning, Zoning and Inspections Department and Steve Spindler Cartography. For more information, contact the staff team at communications@carrboronc.gov 

Carrboro and Chapel Hill rally behind businesses impacted by the July 22 fire

A group of small business leaders, local government representatives, and business support organizations including Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, Town of Chapel Hill, and The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro, met on Sunday, July 23, 2023, to discuss response efforts to the fire on Saturday, July 22, in Downtown Chapel Hill that has affected several businesses in the 400 Block of West Franklin Street. 

The group expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the Chapel Hill and Carrboro Fire Departments and the surrounding emergency response agencies. Their immediate response and scene control prevented any public injuries and allowed for the fire to be extinguished efficiently. The following businesses have been affected by fire, smoke, or water damage: Mediterranean Deli, Bakery, and Catering, D.B Sutton, Moshi Moshi, Simply Audrey, and Tropical Smoothie.

A GoFundMe has been established and is being managed by the Mediterranean Deli Staff. The fund is prioritizing the financial support of employees.

The group asks the community to be patient as the needs of the affected business are being assessed. More information will be communicated tomorrow and after this group reconvenes during the week.

Questions can be directed to Stephanie Cobert, Director of Marketing, Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership: P: (919)928-5637 | E: stephanie@downtownchapelhill.com

School starts on Monday - time for extra safety! 

CARRBORO, NC — The start of school on Monday, Aug. 28, means an increase in pedestrian and bicycle activity around Carrboro. The Carrboro Police Department urges students to use caution as they walk or bike to and from campus, and encourages motorists to watch out for students walking or biking.

"As we look forward to the start of another school year, please remember to be patient and attentive as you drive, bike, or walk as school buses, cars, bikes, and pedestrians will all be in motion at once," Police Chief Chris Atack said. "Expect traffic delays around schools during drop off and pick up times.  Our officers will be out conducting traffic enforcement and working to keep everyone safe.

"I want to thank everyone in advance for doing their part to make the back-to-school transition successful."

To learn more safety rules, read our full news flash.

Carrboro Town staff joins the Good Neighbor Initiative

Carrboro to unveil new Truth Plaque

The public is invited to the official unveiling of the Town of Carrboro Truth Plaque for the Strayhorn House at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1. 

The plaque will be placed in front of the house at 109 Jones Ferry Road. Nearby parking is available nearby off Laurel Street. 

The home is one of Carrboro’s most historically significant structures. The home was built around 1879 by Toney and Nellie Strayhorn, who were both former slaves. Home to five generations of the Strayhorn name, the house stands as a testament to one Black family’s success in the midst of racial violence that consumed Orange County during Reconstruction. 

The truth plaque will educate readers on their journey, which included buying 30 acres of property and building a one-room log cabin in 1879. Since then, the house has been upgraded and the great-granddaughter of Toney and Nelly, Dolores Clark, still owns the house. 

Learn more by reading the full news flash about the Truth Plaque for the Strayhorn House.

Thank you for your patience! Public Works Crews are working hard to clear away all the excess debris created by the latest storm. We hope to be back on schedule by Wednesday, August 23, 2023.

Town of Carrboro announces lineups 
for marquee Fall Arts Festivals

CARRBORO, N.C. – The Town of Carrboro announces festival lineups and dates for three of the Triangle’s most beloved fall festivals starting this September. 

Fall festivals are made possible with support from the Town of Carrboro and the Carrboro Tourism Development Authority.

Following the successful return of another iconic music festival this past summer – the Freight Train Blues concert series, Carrboro is happy to continue to showcase a diversity of musicians from the Piedmont with FREE concerts at Town Commons, the Cat’s Cradle, and venues across the town with the return of the Carrboro Music Festival (opening night on Saturday, Sept. 30, with a full day of outdoor concerts on Sunday, Oct. 1); West End Poetry Festival (Oct. 19-21) featuring Poetry in the Round and a Community Poem Reading, and Carrboro Film Fest (Nov. 17-19) producing numerous independent films that challenge and expand our understanding of Southern culture.

"Carrboro has a proud tradition with these longstanding festivals, which have been offered for 15 to nearly 25 years running,” Mayor Damon Seils said. “Collaboration is key to our success, and we’re grateful to our partners for their commitment to cultural offerings that are shared so widely and are part of Carrboro’s arts legacy.”

Earlier this year, the Town of Carrboro presented with the MusicMaker Foundation, WUNC-FM and the Forests at Duke a series of roots music concerts at the Carrboro Town Commons on Friday evenings.  The Freight Train Blues concert series honors the legacy of Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten, who was born in Carrboro in 1893.  https://musicmaker.org/freight-train-blues-concert-series/ ;

• Schedule highlights are below with full details and updates online. 
• See the Carrboro public parking map at http://www.townofcarrboro.org/DocumentCenter/View/11225/Carrboro-Parking-Map-?bidId= ;
• Fall festivals are made possible with support from the Town of Carrboro and the Carrboro Tourism Development Authority.
• For more information and high-resolution photos, contact Communication & Engagement Director Catherine Lazorko at communications@carrboronc.gov 

FALL FESTIVAL 2023 LINEUP IN CARRBORO

Carrboro Music Festival – October 1, 2023 

Established in 1998, the festival was originally held on June 21 as an official affiliate of the Fête de la Musique, which is also known as 'Make Music Day'. One of the largest free music festivals in North Carolina, the Carrboro Music Festival will host more than 100 acts on stages all over Carrboro, all for free. Venues are all over town, from Craftboro on South Greensboro to the Speakeasy, Cat’s Cradle, Century Center, ArtsCenter, 401 Main, and many other traditional and new locales. Opening night is Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Cat's Cradle!  http://carrboromusicfestival.com/

West End Poetry Festival – October 19-21, 2023

The theme for this year’s festival is “Community.” The festival kicks off at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday with a featured reading and open mic at Luna on Main St. Events continue Friday at The ArtsCenter and all day Saturday at the Carrboro Century Center.

Carrboro held its first poetry festival, organized by then Carrboro Poet Laureate Patrick Herron, in 2005. Since then, many poets from North Carolina and beyond have participated. Participants have included finalists for the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize; winners of the Kingsley Tufts Award, the Los Angeles Book Prize, the Oregon Book Award, and the Pushcart Prize; recipients of fellowships Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. http://www.westendpoetryfestival.org   

Carrboro Film Fest – November 17-19, 2023

Since 2005, the festival brings “Southern films in one of the South’s funkiest small towns.” Embracing its identity as a Southern institution, the festival presents exclusively Southern films in a non-competitive setting. Held at The ArtsCenter, the Carrboro Film Fest is made possible with support from the Town of Carrboro and the Carrboro Tourism Development Authority. www.carrborofilm.org

Carrboro In Motion Returns

Carrboro In Motion rolled into Carolina Apartments off Hwy 54 in Carrboro on Saturday, August 19, filling the parking lot with music, dance and Zumba!

 We enjoy meeting new and longtime residents! Folks from the Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department; Carrboro Police Department; Planning, Zoning and Inspections Department; Communication and Engagement Department; and Chapel Hill Transit handed out popsicles on this sunny afternoon along with services information, newcomer materials, environmental education and civic engagement topics; and encouraged new connections with the Town of Carrboro! 

 MANY THANKS to Oscar Garcia for bringing us health and movement through Zumba, and to the beautiful dancers from Takiri Folclor Latino for their performance, making this a special event with the backdrop of a Chapel Hill Transit transit and Carrboro Fire Engine! Look for a video coming soon!

 Carrboro In Motion will visit Estes Park Apartments on Sept. 9. Learn more about Carrboro In Motion events on our website.

Message from Mayor Damon Seils 

Dear Neighbors:

Today I write with excitement about the promise of completing Carrboro’s network of greenways, and with an invitation to participate in a community survey at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2869/Bolin-Creek-Greenway-Engagement-Survey 

For many years, Carrboro residents have supported improvements to our network of sidewalks, bikeways, and greenways to better connect our neighborhoods with each other and to schools and jobs, parks, civic and social opportunities, and our downtown. Together with our significant investments in the fare-free Chapel Hill Transit system, these improvements provide more options for more people for recreation and mobility throughout the community.

We’re making progress, slowly but steadily:

• Since the Bolin Creek Greenway concept plan was approved in 2009, we have completed two phases of the project. The Wilson Park Multi-use Path connects Wilson Park and nearby neighborhoods, Estes Drive, Estes Park Apartments, and the walking trails of the Adams Tract. The Homestead Road–Chapel Hill High School Multi-use Path connects the Winmore and Claremont neighborhoods to Chapel Hill High School, Smith Middle School, and Seawell Elementary School .
• Since the Morgan Creek Greenway concept plan was approved in 2010, design of the first phase is nearly finished. This phase will connect the Berryhill and Canterbury  neighborhoods to Smith Level Road and planned greenway segments in Chapel Hill. Future phases will connect to neighborhoods near Jones Ferry Road, University Lake, and Carrboro High School.
• The first segment of the Jones Creek Greenway was completed in 2011 from the future Twin Creeks (Moniese Nomp) Park to Morris Grove Elementary. Construction of the short connection to the Ballentine, Legends at Lake Hogan, and Lake Hogan Farms neighborhoods is expected to begin next year. Future phases will connect to the Fox Meadow and Winmore neighborhoods.

Now we need your help with a survey about the remaining phases of the Bolin Creek Greenway. Your input at this early stage will help the Town plan and design these phases, address engineering and environmental details, and secure federal funding and other grants to make the project a reality. While this public engagement is occurring, staff are reviewing the alternative greenway options in the concept plan for any technical or regulatory challenges.

Your survey responses will be considered along with previous public input, technical and scientific findings from professional field investigations, and the updated technical and regulatory review .

As you respond to the survey, I encourage you to think about how you and your neighbors use the greenways in Carrboro and Chapel Hill today. How do you envision using them in the future? What are the opportunities for connections and destinations? How can a complete greenway network support our recreational, transportation, environmental, and health goals as a community?

Your responses are important to us. Please learn more about the Bolin Creek Greenway concept plan at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2762/Bolin-Creek-Greenway  and share your thoughts through the online survey at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2869/Bolin-Creek-Greenway-Engagement-Survey  

Wishing you a happy summer,

Mayor Damon Seils

News from The ArtsCenter -- 
Come celebrate our new home

Join the ArtsCenter team for an unforgettable day of celebration on August 26th from 12-4 p.m., as they proudly unveil the new home of The ArtsCenter at 400 Roberson St., Carrboro, NC 27510!

This landmark moment is the fruition of years of dreaming and planning, and they can't wait to share it with you.

Kickstart the day with a parade at 12 p.m., showcasing our diverse and energetic arts community, led by the Paperhand Puppet Intervention.

From 12  - 4 p.m., enjoy fun-filled activities such as face painting under the tent, savor mouthwatering dishes from food trucks, and don't miss our ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 PM!

Catch enthralling performances from 1:30 - 4 p.m. in our brand-new theatre, promising a riveting mix of music, drama, and comedy.

Get an insider's view of our makerspaces with group tours every 20 minutes.

For the young art enthusiasts, our dedicated youth spaces have exciting activities led by our staff.

Register now to RSVP for The ArtsCenter Grand Opening. Let's come together to celebrate creativity, exploration, and innovation.

Town Manager Announces Departure

Town Manager Richard J. White III has announced he will be leaving the Town of Carrboro to assume a position as Deputy City Manager with the City of Salisbury, N.C. starting on Nov. 6, 2023. 

The Town Council has expressed its gratitude for his leadership and contributions to the community.

“Richard has accomplished a great deal during his time in Carrboro,” Mayor Damon Seils said. “His work with the Town Council to develop strategic priorities, as well as his initiation of strategic planning processes with the Town’s staff, set the stage for achieving the vision of the Carrboro Connects comprehensive plan.” 

White, who joined Carrboro in August 2021, came to the town with extensive experience, including leadership positions at the City of Asheville, the Town of Elon, and the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County. He has more than 25 years of municipal government experience. White held a position as assistant to the town manager in Carrboro (2000 to 2006) early in his career. 

“The decision was a difficult one, as Carrboro is a very special community,” White said. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to return to Carrboro to lead the organization and to help move Carrboro forward. It has been an honor to assist the Town Council and to work with a dedicated and outstanding staff.” 

During his tenure as Town Manager for the Town of Carrboro, White’s noted accomplishments include completion of the $41 million financing of The 203 Project, which will house the recreation, parks and cultural resources offices and Orange County Southern Branch Library.  In addition, he oversaw completion and early implementation of the Carrboro Connects 2022-2042 Comprehensive Plan; established the town’s framework for American Rescue Plan Act funds totaling $6.7 million; and initiated strategic planning processes for the Town Council and Management Team. Organizational development initiatives have included the town’s reopening following COVID-19; a focus on employee recruitment, retention and well-being; and organizational restructuring. 

Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources 
Summer Brochure now available 

This session also includes registration for our youth Fall Baseball and Flag Football programs. 

View the full PDF Brochure to learn more

Transportation Surveys! 

The NC Department of Transportation is holding a public comment period through Aug. 31. Find the survey here: 

 https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/Transportation/stip/development/Pages/public-involvement.aspx 

Staff at Division 7, which includes Orange County, will be available for information and to receive comments.  Contact Chad Reimakoski at (336) 487-0000 or jcreimakoski@ncdot.gov 

The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) is also conducting a survey:  

• Survey Link: https://metroquestsurvey.com/hc7y7p
• Encuesta en español: https://metroquestsurvey.com/9vz4e 

If you wish to provide feedback directly to the MPO without taking the above survey, please contact Kelly Fomenko at Kelly.Fomenko@dchcmpo.org or call 919-503-4119. 

Disabled American Veterans Open House

CARRBORO, NC -  On Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, the local chapter of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) invites veterans, their families, and the community to an open house. This event, starting at 11 a.m. at Carrboro High School, aims to familiarize attendees with the services available to disabled veterans in the region.

Founded with a noble cause, the DAV is unwaveringly dedicated to a singular purpose: empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with the utmost respect and dignity. Their mission statement clarifies, “We accomplish this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them.”

Regina Merritt, a member of Orange County Veterans Memorial committee and organizer of the Carrboro DAV event, emphasizes the importance of understanding the challenges veterans face. “Every veteran is affected by service. Health problems, employment issues, and struggles in accessing their rightfully earned benefits are just the tip of the iceberg. These are some of the most common issues they grapple with,” Merritt explains, “and that's where the DAV steps in to provide essential support.”

Currently, the chapter extends its valuable services to Orange County and the neighboring areas.

For more information, contact Regina Merritt, Orange County Veterans Memorial Committee, at (919) 360-8383  or queenmerritt@gmail.com