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 5:00 News - Football Win, Local Government, Leaf Collection
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the afternoon news. Included in this edition of the news, we check the local government meeting schedule, which includes meetings today for the Chatham County Commissioners, and the Durham City Council. We learn of a new policy on leaf collection this fall from the Town of Chapel Hill, and we hear a Carolina Connection story on a September 11 memorial events at Keenan Stadium last week. In sports, UNC linebacker Makai Gbayor is named ACC Linebacker of the week, and we hear more on UNC Football's Saturday afternoon win against Richmond, and more.
On the Porch: Mayor Kyle Shipp and Tami Schwerin - Sculpture Celebration at The Plant
This Week: Tami Schwerin is a re-developer of The Plant, taking a cold-war industrial plant and creating a community hub of food, beverage and experiences. Her past experience includes founding a local food, renewable energy and cultural non-profit; Abundance NC. Before that she helped build Chatham Marketplace, a local co-op grocery store. She has served on art and environmental boards of directors. She traveled the world selling software in her younger years and renovated several old broken-down houses. Tami loves a challenge and creating a world that she wants to live in. She grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina and loves the south and Pittsboro.  Kyle Shipp serves as the Mayor of Pittsboro, North Carolina, where he focuses on responsible growth, infrastructure, and transparent governance. He previously served as a Town Commissioner and Planning Board member. In his full-time role, Kyle works as an engineer in the data center industry, specializing in industrial control systems. He also serves as Board Chair of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Carolina, supporting youth development across the region. With a background in engineering and a passion for community service, Kyle works to ensure Pittsboro grows in a way that reflects its values and long-term vision.
Chapel Hill Police Say 28-Year-Old Reported Missing Is Now Safely Located
UPDATE: Chapel Hill Police shared an alert on Tuesday, Sep. 16 at 5 a.m. saying Kendrick Pierre was safely located.
Chapel Hill Changes Its Leaf Collection Policy to Only Accept Containers
With the fall season approaching, the Town of Chapel Hill is changing how it collects leaves and is no longer collecting loose piles.
›