As the nation’s oldest public university has nearly built out its main campus, UNC officials are planning for its future reach on university-owned properties throughout Chapel Hill.

The university owns nearly 4,000 acres throughout the town, according to university documents. And while not all of that is developable, Chapel Hillians can expect to see projects and changes throughout the community as the university looks to expand its footprint to the university’s outlying parcels.

UNC Draft Master Plan. Photo via UNC.

Associate vice chancellor for facility services Anna Wu presented a draft of the university’s master plan to the Board of Trustees late last month laying out a vision focusing on the campus’ transportation, open space and infrastructure.

“We have really a wonderful history of planning and implementation,” Wu said. “I think this provides a roadmap for us as we think over the next 10 to 20 years.”

The plan incorporates elements of the university’s strategic plan, looking to make campus more welcoming to visitors and connected for students. That includes projects like improved walkways, new shortcuts through South Campus and utilization of the proposed light rail system between Chapel Hill and Durham.

At the meeting, Chancellor Carol Folt commented on the draft master plan, praising its vision of bolstering the school’s functionality.

“We have a historic campus, so you’re always preserving the history,” said Folt, “but you always have to make it present for the modern and looking to the future. I think that has given [the master plan] a really clear focus. Beyond keeping UNC beautiful, making it safe, it’s said now we have to foster ways of interacting, moving and connecting.”

UNC Draft Master Plan. Photo via UNC.

While the master plan proposes utilizing more of the school’s land in Carolina North and Mason Farm, none of the short-term projects take place there. Most of the expected construction over the next seven years will take place on Main Campus. There’s more than 1 million square feet of proposed demolition UNC hopes to complete and use as a springboard for these improvements. Odom Village is one area Wu mentioned that could see demolition and repurposing beginning as early as the fall.

The Board of Trustees reviewed the draft, but the master plan has not yet been approved. UNC will hold information sessions for the Town of Chapel Hill in September and October. The board will have a chance to approve the master plan’s final version in November.

You can see the full draft master plan here.

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