2019 was a busy year for the Town of Chapel Hill. In addition to elections, new partnerships and development, it also celebrated its bicentennial anniversary.

After wrapping up the celebration of Chapel Hill’s 200th anniversary of being a town, Mayor Pam Hemminger says 2019 was a very busy but positive year spent highlighting pivotal historical moments that have shaped what the town has become today. She spoke with WCHL’s Aaron Keck and reflected on the past year.

“It was just a wonderful journey learning about some of those things,” she said, “culminating in some recorded history videos and information that will be available forever now out there. It really was heartwarming.”

Hemminger saidone of her favorite memories from the celebration was honoring Howard Lee, who served as Mayor of Chapel Hill from 1969 to 1975. Lee was the first African American to be elected mayor of any majority-white city in the south.

“To be able to honor a person who was a true leader in our community,” said Hemminger, “and talking about the Civil Rights movement in our community and the conversations and struggles we went through and have grown through [was an important aspect of the bicentennial.]”

According to Hemminger, some of the biggest pressures she faces as Mayor of Chapel Hill in 2020 are the pressures that come with being a fast-growing city, a difficulty she believes she shares with many cities across the state.

“It affects everything about our community,” she said, “and it’s going to continue in our entire region. After meeting with the Metropolitan Mayors and talking about the same kinds of things, these pressures of growth and making sure everyone has an opportunity to succeed [are a top issue.]”

Related Stories
‹
Conversations with the Mayors: Social Districts, National Night Out and The University Games
Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger speaks on the University Games, Social Districts, the return of students to UNC, and more.
Chapel Hill Mayor Launches Mask Campaign, Town to Distribute Free Coverings
Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger launched a new campaign on Wednesday to promote wearing masks and protecting others’ health. The Safer for Everyone in Chapel Hill campaign is a non-legislative extension to the Orange County orders regarding masks in Phase 2. While the county and towns are requiring business owners to wear face coverings when […]
Chapel Hill to Stop Weekly Yard Waste and Bulky Item Collection This Month
The Town of Chapel Hill will be temporarily ceasing its weekly yard waste and bulky items collection in mid-April. The town government shared the news in a release on Thursday, citing the protection of its employees’ and residents’ health and well-being as a driving factor behind the decision. Beginning Saturday, April 18, Solid Waste Services […]
Chapel Hill Town Council to Finalize Appointment Plans for Replacing Schaevitz at Retreat
With Chapel Hill Town Council member Rachel Schaevitz announcing she will be stepping down from her position to move to New Zealand, a council position will soon have an unexpected vacancy. With elections having passed in November, the town will use another method to fill the seat. Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger expressed mixed feelings after […]
Proposed West End Parking Deck Gets Approval From Chapel Hill Town Council
As the Town of Chapel Hill works to provide more parking while reducing its surface lots downtown, plans for a parking deck on the West End of Franklin Street are being developed. Town staff presented an updated proposal for a five-level parking deck to the Chapel Hill Town Council on November 20. The deck, located […]
NCDOT Installing Pedestrian Infrastructure at 3 N.C. Highway 54 Intersections
The North Carolina Department of Transportation will partner with the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro to install pedestrian and bicyclist improvements at three intersections along North Carolina Highway 54. NCDOT will begin work Monday, Feb. 2 to install crosswalks with traffic signals at the highway’s intersections with: The Kingswood Apartments complex in Chapel Hill […]
Orange County Communities to Observe Martin Luther King Day Jan. 19. Here's How it Affects Services.
The observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 19 will affect local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s what residents can expect this year: Town of Chapel Hill Most town offices will be closed Monday. Residential trash normally collected Monday will be collected Wednesday, Jan. 21. Curbside recycling collection will […]
Town of Chapel Hill Debuts New Logo, Website Design
The Town of Chapel Hill has debuted a new logo and town website, chapelhillnc.gov, amid a branding overhaul. The new logo depicts a stylized tulip poplar on rolling hills. “With this new website, we’ve created a more user-friendly experience for all who visit our site,” said Susan Brown, the town’s Director of Strategic Communications and […]
East Franklin Street Reopens After Repair of Small Sinkhole, Traffic Detours
The Town of Chapel Hill issued an alert at 3:40 p.m. on Monday saying East Franklin Street had been repaired from the sinkhole and any resulting damage.
Orange County Communities to Interrupt Services for December Holidays (2025)
Communities around Orange County will interrupt their normal service schedules during the upcoming winter holidays. Here’s what customers can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Town of Chapel Hill government offices will be closed from Wednesday, Dec. 24 through Friday, Dec. 26. Residential trash collection will not be affected. Yard trimmings will not be collected on […]
›