The Chapel Hill Town Council is in the midst of a summer break from holding business meetings. But plenty more work is being done around town as the local government prepares for the fall and continues to adapt to community needs.

Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger recently spoke with 97.9 The Hill to provide updates on some of what’s happening around town. She said one project the town is actively preparing for will allow more space to physically distance while in downtown Chapel Hill.

“We’re trying to get ready for getting equipment in to do the sidewalk extensions on Franklin Street downtown to allow extra space for people to walk, bicycle and all those kind of things,” said Hemminger. “Those materials should be in shortly in hopes to do all that.”

The town council approved the measure in June, which will set up barriers to decrease how many lanes are available to motorists along Franklin Street. According to the plan presented by town staff, the barriers would reach from Robertson Lane on the east side of Franklin to Graham Street on the west side.

In addition to that change caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Hemminger said the town is working to fulfill many other community needs. The town’s weekly food distribution program is continuing to see increased demand and the mayor said a food program for local students has seen high numbers through the summer.

“Since March, Food for Students has served over 400,000 meals out there,” Hemminger said, “and it’s been with the help of the Public School Foundation and lots of partners. This is so needed and we’re in this for the long haul.”

Chapel Hill’s town government is also working to prepare for changes at the state government. Governor Roy Cooper has eviction and utility moratoriums in place to help North Carolinians who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus. But Hemminger said when those are inevitably lifted, many community members will still need help.

“We are working the Utility and Rent Assistance Hotline to be sure it’s ready if the eviction order gets lifted,” said the mayor. “We don’t want to have people evicted, so there’s a lot of work going into that.”

Before long, Chapel Hill’s population will be rejoined with thousands of UNC students returning for the fall semester. Hemminger said the town government has been in regular contact with university officials to discuss ways to keep the community safe and limit any spread of COVID-19.

According to the mayor, businesses are preparing for those students’ return too.

“Late July and early August is really one of the busiest times we have for inspections and permitting,” said Hemminger, “because people are trying to get ready for the academic school year.”

The Chapel Hill Town Council is slated to begin regular business meetings again in September.

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