Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue recently said that the discussion surrounding the proposed construction of a new municipal services center off Estes Drive is moving along “really nicely.”

According to Blue, construction on the joint venture on land owned by UNC could begin sooner than expected.

“The conversation has been moving along really nicely, and we’re excited,” said Blue. “If things go well, maybe this time a year from now we’ll actually be turning some shovels over.”

While many Town of Chapel Hill departments are in need of new facilities, it is not yet clear how many of them will be able to move into the new center.

Among the possible departments listed by Blue were fire administration, parks and recreation, and the town’s technology services.

The department that is likely most in need of a new home is the Chapel Hill Police, who’s current headquarters are in very poor condition.

“We’re glad to have a roof and walls, so we’re not complaining, but I will say that we’ve outgrown the space,” said Blue.

Blue also says the town and the university have received great engagement from the neighborhoods surrounding the land where the proposed center would be constructed.

In a recent development, the town and UNC are exploring a possible land swap which could result in the town receiving the approximately 21-acre site on Estes Drive.

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