Commentary by Walt Mack
Last month, the Town of Chapel Hill sealed the deal on the American Legion property and purchased the 35-acre tract for $7.9 million dollars.
It almost slipped away, though, but the new administration of Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Heminger and Town Council snatched it out of the jaws of a would-be developer.
Was it worth it? You bet. Every penny of it. A little pricey perhaps, at more than $22,000 an acre, but an investment for future generations. There aren’t many pieces of prime land like that to be found in Chapel Hill anymore.
Right now, the American Legion property is a diamond in the rough, but in five to ten years from now it will be transformed into the crown jewel of Chapel Hill’s emerald necklace of parks and recreation — over 1,200 acres.
Meanwhile, the town will try to recoup part of the acquisition price by selling off a small chunk of the property. Chapel Hill sits in the catbird seat and can dictate the terms of what will occupy the parcel that is spun off.
In retrospect, the town may have had another purpose in mind by acquiring the property: density. Think of what more apartments built on that property would do to increasing population density and congestion in that area.
The town now has the ambitious task of mapping out a master plan for the park. I would propose they name it “Veterans Park” in honor of our veterans, many of whom are members of the American Legion Post.
A suitable memorial should be installed and dedicated to the veterans of Chapel Hill who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Some sacrificed their lives, while others suffered grievous wounds on the battlefields to preserve our freedoms. It will be fascinating to watch how the American Legion property is developed into the pride of Chapel Hill.
We should salute the American Legion Post for making its former home for more than four decades a park for all Chapel Hill citizens to enjoy.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines