The Town of Chapel Hill has had plans to change the Ephesus-Fordham area since it became its own district in 2014. Much of the area has been under construction this summer, as plans to remedy traffic congestion have come to fruition.
The Ephesus-Fordham district includes many of Chapel Hill’s older shopping centers: including the Eastgate Shopping Center, Village Plaza and Ram’s Plaza. Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger said in an in-studio interview with Aaron Keck Thursday that the areas are starting to look better, with less traffic confusion and congestion, but there is still some work to go.
“The outside part of it, trying to get between Eastgate and Rams Plaza is messy,” Hemminger said. “Just go through there knowing it will take you a little more time at this point in time.”
Hemminger also said the town is concerned with improving the walking experience in the district. A public meeting to discuss plans will happen Monday at the Chapel Hill Public Library at 6:00.
“We value citizen input,” she said. “Please come; please send in your comments. We would love to have you there.”
The meeting is scheduled to end at 9:00. For those who can’t make it, there will be a second meeting at the same time and place on September 7.
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