The transfer of property once owned by the American Legion to the municipal government in Chapel Hill is underway, but participation in the business at hand will not be limited to town officials.

According to Mayor Pam Hemminger, residents are being sought to join a task force that will make recommendations to the Chapel Hill Town Council on the development of the property.

“We’re looking for people in the different categories we have out there, but mostly for people who are interested in the bigger picture — a multitude of things going on there — and not just one specific item,” she announced.

The establishment of this task force was requested earlier in the month by council members to ensure that development plans for the property are drafted with the community in mind.

“They will gather information, sort through the list of town needs that we already have,” explained Hemminger. “[Landscape architect] Dan Jewell is going to be leading this discussion for us to help us know what’s actually developable on this site, and then we’ll consider all those kinds of options and come back with recommendations to the council.”

Hemminger also explained that attempts will be made by the task force to reconcile public opinion with municipal priorities as it determines the most appropriate course of action.

“We do have a list of town needs from the Parks and Rec Department, the Cultural Arts Department; other departments have thrown in a list of things to consider,” she relayed.

The task force will be present at a public planning summit on the property that is scheduled for April 8, but Hemminger emphasized that decisions on development will take place much later.

“We haven’t even actually closed on the property — that’s the end of this month, too,” she noted. “The lease is for three years to the Legion folks, so […] we have time to really figure out what we’d like to do there.”

The 36-acre property was expected to be sold to a residential developer last year, but members of the American Legion agreed to an offer of $7.9 million that was made by the municipal government.

Residents wishing to become task force candidates are encouraged to submit applications to the assistant town clerk at bvazquez@townofchapelhill.org no later than 5:00 PM Thursday.

Photo by WCHL Staff.

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