Plans for development in Chapel Hill and Carrboro move forward

Modifications to a conditional use permit were approved by the Carrboro Board of Alderman on March 8, allowing a new five-story Hilton Garden Inn to be built in downtown Carrboro.

The hotel will be the second one built in Carrboro, following the construction on 370 E. Main Street of a Hampton Inn and Suites, which opened in August 2013. The new hotel will be located at 300 E. Main Street in downtown Carrboro, behind the Carrboro ArtsCenter.

Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle and the Board of Aldermen have been working with developers to design a hotel that will both benefit and fit in with the local community.

“While the name on the front is a large brand, it will actually be owned and operated by a local business—the same business that owns the Hampton Inn,” Lavelle said.

When asked about the decision to allow the construction of a new hotel, Lavelle stated that “Carrboro is becoming an increasingly popular town. The new hotel will allow more visitors to stay in downtown Carrboro … [and] increase sales for local shops and restaurants, [and] music venues.”

Carrboro Alderman Jacquelyn Gist, who has been a member of the board since 1989, has witnessed the town develop over the years. Despite being opposed to some of the larger developments in downtown Carrboro, Gist recognizes that the construction of a new hotel will benefit the community.

“I’m somebody who wants Carrboro to look how it looked when I got here; however, I know that’s impossible,” Gist said. “The thing to do is, as the changes happen, make sure they’re manageable and positive. I see [the construction of the new hotel] as positive change.”

Gist also stated that the hotels are subject to an occupancy tax that directly benefits the community.

“If you go and stay in the hotel, there’s a surcharge that then goes to the community and that can only be used for travel and tourism,” Gist said. “We’ve been using some of that money to offset the cost of all of our festivals and to support different art projects throughout the town, so it’s good from that perspective.”

Although no official statements have been released, there has been talk about the potential construction of a TargetExpress on West Franklin Street. Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger, while stating she could not confirm any rumors, expressed excitement about the idea.

“[A TargetExpress is] usually a two-level store that provides groceries and other types of things,” Hemminger said. “Wouldn’t that be fabulous for our downtown residents that live there in Northside and along Franklin Street and students to be able to have some grocery opportunities there?”

milly.ames98@gmail.com