CHAPEL HILL – The Chapel Hill Town Council has concluded its 2013 business, and Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt says 2014 will likely be defined by some challenging decisions that need to be made.

“I think there are going to be several, and many of them are going to be budget-related,” Mayor Kleinschmidt says. “When you think of 2014 as the year when we finally make some big decisions that have major budget ramifications like solid waste, Rogers Road, and leveraging state and federal resources for other projects like the Ephesus-Fordham district. Those are going to be difficult, challenging questions.”

But, he says he’s confident the council will get to some good solutions.

The year 2013 already faced some tough budget decisions including finding money in the budget to get the newly rebuilt Chapel Hill Public Library back to full-time hours.

“The culmination of that decades-long work by people in our community, advocates of the library, the citizens of our town, and a series of leaders on the Town Council,” Mayor Kleinschmidt says. “Being able to open that library and bring in a new director with a great vision for our future, I think it’s one of the most visible and exciting things the happen this year.”

He says another defining moment of 2013 in Chapel Hill was the completion of a major development downtown that provides housing, a place for new businesses, and still allows room for parking.

“We also saw 140 West really get going and filled up and our downtown realizing a lot of the promise that that project was designed to create come to fruition,” Mayor Kleinschmidt says.

Mayor Kleinschmidt says he believes the completion of plans for the eastern part of town—the Ephesus/Fordham corridor—could revolutionize the community.

“Not just by being able to establish standards for redevelopment that have been vetted through the community that provide for a more streamline process for redevelopment in an area that we already know—or we already believe, at lease—can tolerate a much more intense commercial environment,” Mayor Kleinschmidt says.

And he says the process in which the redevelopment is achieved is also revolutionary.

“Within town government, things have changed so much in the way we have approached some of these challenges,” Mayor Kleinschmidt says. “The best example is the product of this district at Ephesus Church and Fordham. We have an economic development and planning team that have worked together in ways that they weren’t allowed to in years past. I believe we’re going to reap great reward.”

Check back with Chapelboro.com and WCHL Wednesday for part two of a look ahead to 2014 for Chapel Hill from the thoughts of its mayor, Mark Kleinschmidt.

Related Stories
‹
Pam Hemminger Wins Re-Election as Chapel Hill Mayor
After a contentious race, Pam Hemminger has secured the mayoral seat for Chapel Hill. This will be Hemminger’s fourth term as mayor. Hemminger ran against current Chapel Hill Town Council member Hongbin Gu, who was elected to the town council in 2017, and UNC law student Zachary Boyce. With all 16 precincts reporting, the […]
Viewpoints: On Wegmans, from Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger
On Wegmans A perspective from Pam Hemminger While I respect everyone’s right to voice an opinion about the decisions Town Council makes, I also want to make sure that facts are considered on topics that affect our entire town. Last week, an opinion piece challenged the Town of Chapel Hill’s 2017 approval of performance-based incentives […]
Week of July 9, 2018
The Colonial Inn is back on the agenda in Hillsborough; Chapel Hill hires a new town manager.
Parents, Students Wear Red, Support Teachers
Teacher Appreciation Week,” Limerick says.
2013 Mayoral Candidate Profile: Mark Kleinschmidt
Chapel Hill Mayor and candidate for re-election, Mark Kleinschmidt says, as mayor, he’s going to work to make sure the town thoughtfully implements the Chapel Hill 2020 plan in an important time for development.
Chapel Hill Mayor Declares State Of Emergency
Chapel Hill Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt issued a proclamation Monday declaring Chapel Hill in a state of emergency.
The Morning News: Pittsboro Budget, Measles Symposium, Manning Drive Closure
Andrew Stuckey fills in for Aaron Keck with today's news, including no tax hike for Pittsboro's budget. We hear about an upcoming public symposium on measles being hosted by Orange County; a big contribution to the Jackson Center from the United Church of Chapel Hill, an weekend closure of Manning Drive right at the Emergency Department entrance, and more. In sports, both UNC Women's Tennis and Women's Lacrosse earn NCAA final four bids, the Diamond Heels ride a complete game from Jake Knapp for a big win, and more.
Climate Thursday: Inside Climate News Reporter for North Carolina, Lisa Sorg
Inside Climate News North Carolina Reporter Lisa Sorg spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, May 15. She discussed the recent decision by the EPA to roll back previously updated recommendations on so-called "forever chemicals." She also discussed her recent reporting for Inside Climate News, which includes an emboldened NC General Assembly looking to cut environmental justice and clean energy jobs programs. She also discussed other recent reporting and more.
Chapel Hill: More Budget Updates, Parks Master Plan, Town Events
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, May 15, discussing town news and events. She talked about the latest budget conversations for the council, including what trade-offs might have to be made, and how to keep town staff compensation competitive within the region. She also talked about the Parks Master Plan and upcoming opportunities for community feedback. She also talked about upcoming town events and more.
Downed Trees Close Stretch of Fordham Boulevard in Chapel Hill Tuesday Morning
Overnight storms felled trees along a popular thoroughfare in Chapel Hill on Tuesday, leaving morning travelers to find a detour.
›