News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 
(May 1, 2024) 

Hello, May! There are lots of great events in Carrboro this weekend! Join us at Town Commons for the first Freight Train Blues Concert of the year on Friday, May 3. Celebrate with your neighbors at Carrboro Day on Sunday, May 5. Are you a local vendor or provide support and resources for our LGBTQ community? If so, we invite you to fill out an application to be a part of the Carrboro Pride Dance Party on June 28!   

10th Annual Freight Train Blues

Concert Series Returns to Carrboro

The first concert of the Music Maker Foundation’s Freight Train Blues series is set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 3, at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main Street. 

Friday's concert will feature Mangum & Company, a group of outstanding musicians representing many of Charlotte, N.C.’s United House of Prayer congregations. Shout bands are all-brass, gospel-based trombone choirs that represent a sacred musical tradition unique to United House of Prayer churches.  Terry “Harmonica” Bean, a renowned blues artist hailing from Pontotoc, Miss., is also playing! 

The Town of Carrboro proudly presents the Music Maker Foundation’s Freight Train Blues series of live concerts every Friday evening between May 3 and June 21, 2024, at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main Street. Concerts start at 6:30 p.m.  The series is a collaboration among  Music Maker Foundation; the Town of Carrboro; WUNC 91.5 FM; and The Forests at Duke. Funding for this year’s series was also provided by Spark the Arts.

Bring your picnic, lawn chairs and blankets for a free evening of live music on the lawn. Beer and food will be available for purchase at the events. 

Find more about free public parking available in downtown Carrboro.

Check out the full line up and learn more about Music Maker Foundation and Freight Train Blues.

Come celebrate with your neighbors!

It's Carrboro Day

Carrboro Day is coming to the Carrboro Town Commons, Sunday, May 5, 2024, from 1 to 5 p.m.  This event is about meeting your neighbors, learning about aspects of the Town’s history, connecting with the Town and learning about Town services, and taking a day to celebrate Carrboro! 

LIVE MUSIC

• Mariachi Los Viajeros Del Norte - 1:00 p.m.
• XOXOK - 2:05 p.m.
• Carolina Blue Grass Band - 3:10 p.m.
• Takiri Folclor Latino - 4:15 p.m.

FOOD TRUCKS

• Lawrence & Perry BBQ
• Ta Contento
• Donut NV 
• Tropical Delights
• ScoopZone

POETRY IN THE ROUND

Celebrate your inner poet!  We welcome community members to join members of the Carrboro Poets Council from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. inside the Town Council chambers for a special Carrboro Day 'Poetry in the Round'. 

ENGAGE WITH TOWN DEPARTMENTS

Carrboro Day provides an opportunity for residents to engage with Town staff and learn more about Town services.  

ORANGE COUNTY ARTISTS GUILD SPRING ART SHOW

We are excited to welcome the Orange County Artists Guild as they present their Spring Art Show from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. as part of this year's Carrboro Day event.

KIDS ACTIVITIES

• Viewing Public Works vehicles!
• Games such as Giant Jenga and Giant Connect 4
• Chalk Paint Boards and Sidewalk Chalk Area
• Kids Obstacle Course with the Carrboro Fire Department
• CPR Training with South Orange Rescue Squad
• The Scrap Exchange

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WALKING TOUR

On Carrboro Day, plan on meeting with town historian Richard Ellington outside the Century Center at 2:00pm.  Learn more about the history of the area while getting in some exercise and enjoying the Spring weather! This program will be around an hour in duration.

Check out a map and a brief description of each site.

HISTORICAL PRESENTATION

This will be held in the Town of Carrboro Chambers room at 3:30 p.m. Please check back for more information later.

CARRBORO COMMUNITY GARDEN CLUB PLANT PASS-A-LONG

Meet members of the Carrboro Community Garden Club as they share extra plants with you the community!  They will also have information about planting and about membership opportunities with their group!  Look for them beneath the pine trees along the front driveway of Town Hall.

EVENT PARKING

The main Town Hall parking lots will be reserved for event activities and vendor parking.  While we encourage attendees to walk or bike, additional vehicle parking will be available at the following:

• Public Lot - 303 West Weaver St.
• On-street parking along Fidelity Ave.
• Carrboro Elementary School (400 Shelton St.)

Find additional parking information on our Downtown Parking webpage.

INCLEMENT WEATHER INFORMATION

In the event of rain, certain aspects of this event may be cancelled.  If the event is impacted by inclement weather, a message will be posted to our Weather Information Line at 919-918-7373.

More info about Carrboro Day.

May is Bike Month in Carrboro:

Take delight in every ride!

Mayor Barbara Foushee has declared May to be Bike Month in Carrboro, encouraging residents to add biking to their transportation routines; to become advocates for biking, bicycle infrastructure, and bicycle-friendly laws and policies; and to take delight in every ride.

Biking is an easy way for people to reduce their carbon footprint and advance the Town’s climate action goals by avoiding the use of single-occupancy vehicles and reducing reliance on non-renewable resources for transportation. 

National Bike Month is also an opportunity to experience the joys and health benefits of biking, to get outside during the spring season, and to see and experience the community at a different scale and pace.

Did you know? Carrboro became the first community in North Carolina to be designated a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.

Check out all the events planned for Bike Month, including: 

• Bike & Roll to School Day - Wednesday, May 8, before and after school
• Bike on Bus Workshop at the Carrboro Farmers' Market – Saturday, May 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St. 
• Carrboro Bike Breakfast – Tuesday, May 14 from 7 to 10 a.m. at Libba Cotten Bikeway 
• Bike to Work with Mayor Foushee starting at 8 a.m. Friday, May 17 from Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St.  

More information:

• Find more bike events.
• Read the Mayor's Bike Month Proclamation.

Carrboro Town Council Update

Meeting agendas and updates are issued from the Town Clerk’s Office. To receive these by email or text, sign up for Carrboro Town News.

Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community. Reach the Town Council with your ideas, views, and questions at Council@carrboronc.gov

Coming Up

The Carrboro Town Council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 7.  The agenda will be available on Legistar.

The Town Council meets at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or can view the livestream YouTube.com/CarrboroNC  OR at on Legistar.

Recap of Past Meeting  

The Council met on Tuesday, April 23, and took the following actions on the agenda posted at https://ecs.page.link/Z96CJ  

• Authorized the Town Manager to execute a Supplemental Agreement with NCDOT and adopted a new capital project ordinance for Morgan Creek Greenway Phase 1 (EL-4828A) to reflect additional funding and update the project milestones.
• Set a public hearing on text amendments to the Land Use Ordinance relating to water quality buffers, road buffers, fences, and setback variances for June 4.
• Authorized the Town Manager to issue a Business Revolving Loan Program loan of $32,000 plus closing costs to Heather Swanson.
• Amended the Town Code to increase the civil penalty of parking in a handicapped parking space without the appropriate tag or identification from $50 to $250.
• Authorized the Town Manager to execute a Supplemental Agreement with NCDOT and to adopt a new capital project ordinance for the South Greensboro Street Sidewalk Project (C-5650) to expand the project scope, reflect additional funding and update the project milestones.
• Held a public hearing on Land Use Ordinance Text Amendments to the Land Use Ordinance to add a new restaurant use for neighborhood cafes and to allow additional residential density in certain zoning districts. 
• Approved the reallocation of funds within the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) fund for two proposals from affordable housing nonprofit providers, maintenance and repair of recreation facilities and bolster the program providing financial assistance to qualified Carrboro residents.
• Awarded American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) Funds for affordable housing projects from EmPOWERment ($600,000 to contribute to the acquisition and upgrade of the 10 affordable homes) and Habitat for Humanity of Orange County ($1 million to assist in phase one of the 75 affordable homes planned on Rogers Road). 
•  Approved a Special Use Permit-A Extension Request for an extension for a Special Use Permit-A for Veridia Architecturally Integrated Subdivision at 810 Old Fayetteville Road.

Watch the livestream of the meeting at https://ecs.page.link/6TTFR 

Council Meeting Schedule 

 View the 2024 Council Calendar.

Town Council 

The Town Council, which is the legislative and policy-making body for Carrboro, comprises Mayor Barbara Foushee, Mayor Pro Tempore Danny Nowell, Council Member Catherine Fray, Council Member Randee Haven-O’Donnell, Council Member Jason Merrill, and Council Member Eliazar Posada. More information is available on the Council webpage.

Carrboro celebrates Arbor Day!

Honoring their contribution to our health and well-being and their essential role in the ecology of the planet, Carrboro celebrates trees on Friday, April 26. 

It's Arbor Day, proclaimed by Mayor Barbara Foushee. 

Thanks to Carrboro Horticulturalist Weldon Jenkins, a new tree has been planted for this special day. The tree is the Carolina Cherry Laurel (Prunus caroliniana), planted at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St. 

Carrboro has been recognized as a Tree City USA for 39 years by the National Arbor Day Foundation and seeks to encourage open, honest discussion of ecological issues and find solutions to the environmental challenges we face. 

The importance of trees is highlighted in the Town’s Community Climate Action Plan. The Comprehensive Plan outlines objectives for enhancing Carrboro’s tree canopy and promoting “the use of native plants and vegetation to mitigate climate change impacts, assist with stormwater mitigation, and reduce heat island effect.” 

• Did you know? While the rise in atmospheric carbon is radically altering the Earth’s environment, trees can help to mitigate this by removing carbon from the atmosphere in a process called carbon sequestration. 
• Read the complete Arbor Day Proclamation.

Traffic Alert - Roberson Street from Maple Avenue to S. Greensboro Street closed evenings

Roberson Street from Maple Avenue to S. Greensboro Street will be closed in the evenings through about mid-May during utility work. The temporary closures will take place in the evenings from 6 p.m. until about 3 a.m. Monday to Friday. Roberson Street will reopen every evening at 3 a.m. and remain open to traffic during the day. 

The utility work underway is associated with The 203 Project, the new library and civic building under construction at 203 S. Greensboro St. 

Celebrate Black Restaurant Week in Carrboro

Mayor Barbara Foushee has proclaimed the week of April 26 to May 5, 2024 as Black Restaurant Week in Carrboro. 

The Town of Carrboro recognizes the importance of supporting local Black-owned restaurants, which play a vital role in building inter-generational wealth, strengthen our local economy, and foster a more inclusive, equitable and vibrant economy.

401 Main and The Flying Pierogi, recently highlighted in The Daily Tar Heel, are exemplary Carrboro establishments that contribute to the vibrancy and diversity of our culinary scene.

Carrboro celebrates its rich cultural diversity and the contributions of its Black-owned businesses to the community.

Mayor Foushee encourages all residents and visitors to patronize and support Black-owned restaurants and food establishments in Carrboro and throughout the region.

More Information:

• Read the full Black Restaurant Week Proclamation.
• Find Black Restaurants to support in Orange County.
• Learn more about Black Restaurant Week in the Carolinas.
• Read the story in the Daily Tar Heel about the Flying Pierogi.

Keep it moving, Carrboro! 

If you were at Collins Crossing Apartments on Saturday, you may have felt that welcoming spirit of community where everyone belongs during Carrboro in Motion/Festival de la Comunidad en Movimiento. 

A sunny spring afternoon was spent meeting neighbors enjoying Pelican's SnoBalls, Zumba dancing with Oscar Garcia and a performance by Takiri Folclor Latino -- and sampling the many services and resources from the Town of Carrboro, Orange County and Chapel Hill Transit -- from signing up folks for library cards to offering free bike helmets and lights; explaining transit schedules; signing up people for recreation classes; and answering questions about public safety with the Carrboro Police Department and Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department. 

Carrboro in Motion, a community engagement program of the Town of Carrboro with many fantastic partners (with thanks to you all!), will be rolling into Berkshire 54 Apartments on May 18 and then Royal Park Apartments on June 8. See you there! 

Carrboro Fire-Rescue is hiring

Ready to join our team? Fill out the application now or visit our website for more information.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED at time of hire
• US citizen or permanent resident
• 18 years old or older at time of hire
• NC Driver's License

Application period closes May 1, 2024.

Minority Vendor Summit scheduled for May 3

Join the Town of Carrboro, the Town of Chapel Hill, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA), UNC Facilities Services HUB and UNC Procurement on Friday, May 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a Minority Vendor Summit.

These public organizations are looking to meet local vendors that can fulfill their procurement needs. The event will feature speakers that can address questions about how to do business with these organizations. Meet the staff you could be working with and learn how to stay up-to-date on contract opportunities.

Learn more about the summit.

Green Neighborhoods Grant Program 

As part of its Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) implementation, the Town of Carrboro announces a call for applications for the 2024 Green Neighborhoods Grant Program!

Residents can receive up to $2,500 to complete a project that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance ecosystem resiliency, or contribute to climate action awareness or engagement.

The Carrboro Town Council accepted the Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) in 2017 to expand the Town’s existing climate action efforts and emphasize measures that community members can implement to help achieve greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. The plan’s goal is to raise the community’s awareness and involvement in climate action and the enhancement of ecosystem resilience. In 2020, the Town updated the CCAP goals to recommend an 80% reduction of 2010 emissions levels by 2030. To achieve this goal, widespread community participation in every aspect of the plan is essential. 

The Green Neighborhoods Grant Program seeks to benefit low-income households and residents of color by bringing neighbors together to pursue projects which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create natural areas that are more resilient to the impacts of climate change, ultimately benefiting the entire community.  

The maximum grant award is $2,500. Applications are due by May 1, 2024 at 3:00 pm. Visit the Green Neighborhoods Grant Program webpage for more information.

For questions, contact Environmental Sustainability Coordinator Laura Janway at ljanway@carrboronc.gov or (919) 918-7326. 

2024 Carrboro Pride Vendor Application Open

Carrboro is planning for its Pride Dance Party to be held from 5 to 8 PM Friday, June 28, at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St.

Join us for food, dance, and frolicking on the lawn. This is a free, family-friendly, festival celebrating all that unites us and makes us unique.

If you’re interested in participating as a vendor or by setting up an information or resources table, fill out the application form.

Please Note: Selections for tablers will prioritize groups, organizations or businesses providing support and resources for our LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) community.

2024 Carrboro Music Festival

Performer Application Now Open

The Town of Carrboro is now accepting online applications for the 2024 Carrboro Music Festival. The application deadline for submissions is May 31, 2024. 

The Carrboro Music Festival is a celebration of local musicians throughout Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange County.  The festival also includes performers from surrounding counties located between the Triangle and Triad regions of the state. 

For more information, visit: www.carrboromusicfestival.com

Apply to be a performer at the 2024 Carrboro Music Festival.

Save the Date: Manchester City and Celtic FC To Meet In Kenan Stadium July 23

Fans from all over the country and the world are coming to town to watch a soccer game on July 23, 2024. 

English soccer champions Manchester City and Scottish side Celtic FC will play an exhibition match in Chapel Hill as part of the FC Series. It’s the second straight summer Kenan Stadium will host the FC Series after Chelsea and Wrexham played there in 2023. 

In addition to the excitement at Kenan, the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro are planning a week of activities downtown including photos with mascots, pop up tee-shirt sales, and local tailgating opportunities. 

Read more about the July 23 soccer match.

Public parking available in downtown Carrboro

It’s easy to find free two-hour public parking in Carrboro, where you can access convenient parking at 10 public lots all over town.

Please remember that the Carr Mill Mall parking area is for mall customers and is not a public parking lot. Leaving the mall premises after parking risks towing. When in doubt, always park in public lots, and enjoy a hassle-free and relaxed shopping and dining experience.

Find more information including an interactive parking map on our Downtown Parking webpage.