Downtown Chapel Hill has seen a lot of things change over the years and that is continuing with new businesses coming into the area.

Kristen Smith, with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, says she is anxious to see where the changes in downtown Chapel Hill lead.

“I think downtown is evolving. And that’s what makes it exciting,” she says.

She adds that many businesses view downtown as a place they can thrive, and it is important to find the right pieces to complete the puzzle.

“Downtown is so desirable, these spaces don’t stay empty,” she says. “It’s just about finding the right mix.”

Smith points out that there are already areas of downtown where you can see the evolution as businesses revamp certain locations.

“Graham Street has transformed,” she says. “We’re seeing new businesses, and I hope that people take an opportunity to get involved.”

Chapel Hill Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt says that overall there is a very low retail vacancy rate in Chapel Hill, but adds turnover is important to continue pushing the economic climate in the right direction and find businesses that can plant long-term roots in the area.

“A healthy downtown, or a main street, is going to have a fractional vacancy rate,” he says. “So that you can continue to freshen the mix of retail options for consumers.”

Smith says the possibility exists of, literally, building up in downtown. She adds that as certain developments grow taller that will open more possibilities of living space in downtown Chapel Hill. The extra population could turn into high retail foot traffic and add another layer of economic input to those downtown businesses.

“Downtown Imagined” has grown out of the “Rosemary Imagined” project. More information about all of the undertakings in development for downtown Chapel Hill can be seen on the Town of Chapel Hill webpage.

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