After hearing public comments and discussing among its members, the Chapel Hill Town Council approved an initial design for a new multi-use path along Fordham Boulevard.

The town council approved the design option that will construct a sidepath between Fordham Boulevard and the properties of residents living on Hickory Drive. It’s an option members of the Little Ridgefield Neighborhood have been outspoken against, promoting a shared street option instead. They told the council that method would help bikers and pedestrians stay safe as they Hickory Drive as a cut-through, while also preserving a healthy vegetative buffer from the busy thoroughfare.

Chapel Hill’s Town Council proceeded with the true sidepath design, as indicated in their previous meeting, saying the design provides the most beneficial options to the broad community. But council members did include some amendments to the option to try and address the residents’ concerns.

Council member Amy Ryan had previously suggested having a horticulture specialist on-site to review and supervise any removal of the remaining vegetative buffer. That added requirement was on the passed resolution, as well as plan to consult with the neighborhood about creating safe crosswalks in the gaps of the path where cars turn off Fordham.

Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger said at the meeting while not voting for the shared street option, the council aims to keep an active line of communication with Little Ridgefield residents.

“We want to be sensitive to the neighborhood,” Hemminger said. “We’re working very hard. We do have information about how much more utilization something more visible to the public [can have].”

Hemminger spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck following the meeting as well. She stressed how having $1.8 million from the Department of Transportation to complete a sidepath network, which this one would be part of, encouraged the town to choose the option it did. Hemminger also shared the initial goals of the project and how the town hopes it will improve connectivity between neighborhoods.

“We want to get people out of cars and moving around,” said Hemminger. “People are already using that area unsafely, so this will be a big boon. Plus, we have federal money that’s helping move it along.”

Another action raised by the Town Council at its latest meeting is having more community discussions once designs for the sidepath are closer to complete.

To view the full timeline of the Fordham Boulevard Side Path project, visit the Town of Chapel Hill webpage.

Concept designs via Kimley-Horn.

Related Stories
‹
Town of Chapel Hill Seeking Input on Traffic Calming Designs for Fordham Sidepath Project
The Town of Chapel Hill is seeking input on traffic calming measures for a project along Fordham Boulevard. The local government shared a new survey for the Fordham Boulevard Sidepath project, aiming to get feedback on several designs for pedestrian protection off the busy thoroughfare. The project seeks to connect an existing bike path near […]
Chapel Hill Town Council Considers Options for Fordham Boulevard Sidepath
A project to build a sidepath to Fordham Boulevard in Chapel Hill has been in the works since 2016. While some residents have been outspoken against the development, the Town Council shared some of its own comments on Wednesday night. Representatives from Chapel Hill’s Transportation department presented two design options at the center of the […]
Local Affordable Housing, New Sidewalks and Water Treatment Projects Receive New Federal Funding
U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee's office highlighted recent federal funding secured for the upcoming fiscal year for local governments and utilities in her district, including millions of dollars for projects in Chapel Hill, Hillsborough and Pittsboro.
Chapel Hill Targets UNC Property on MLK Boulevard for Strategic Growth Pilot Project
As the Town of Chapel Hill assesses how to handle its need for housing with its limited supply, the local government recently turned to a group of leading urban planning consultants for advice. The result is a framework called the Complete Communities Strategy, with the goal of approving a pilot project to try the approach […]
Chapel Hill Considering Fordham Blvd. Greenway, Neighbors Advocate for Shared Street
Tab Combs stands at the entrance of her neighborhood, Little Ridgefield. The Hickory Road resident points out how an existing path from Cleland Drive down the street would connect with a new side path proposed by the Town of Chapel Hill. “We’re about 20 feet from the outside edge of Fordham Boulevard, and we’re standing […]
Transit, Stormwater Among Concerns for Redevelopment of University Place in Chapel Hill
Ownership of the University Place mall continued to receive their first round of feedback on concept plans of a reimagining of the property. The Chapel Hill Town Council shared their impressions of the initial designs last week. The council’s review of the concept plans came just eight days after Ram Realty, the ownership group of […]
No Tax Increases and Increased Spending Featured in Chapel Hill Staff's Proposed FY27 Budget
Following a year with improved revenues and a new town manager at the helm, the Town of Chapel Hill may go into the next fiscal year without a tax increase or significant cuts.
Impassioned Public Comment Leads Chapel Hill Town Council to Drop Discussion of Downsizing
A discussion by the Chapel Hill Town Council about trimming its seats and extending the length of mayoral term was met with swift, vocal opposition during a public hearing last week.
Orange County Clerk of Court Mark Kleinschmidt Wins State, National Honors
Orange County Clerk of Superior Court Mark Kleinschmidt has been recognized with two awards – one statewide and one national – in recognition of his service. Kleinschmidt received the North Carolina Guardianship Association’s Trailblazer Award last week in Asheville, recognizing his two terms as Clerk of Superior Court and Probate Judge. In legal terms, guardianship […]
Climate Action, A New Hotel and Downsizing Council? Highlights from Chapel Hill Town Council's Apr. 15 Meeting
The Chapel Hill Town Council held its first official business meeting of the month on Wednesday, Apr. 15 to cover a full agenda — which included discussing affordable housing funding, ongoing climate action efforts, parking incentives for a hotel project, and more.
›