News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC (Feb. 19, 2025)
In this issue, check our winter weather update. Town administrative offices will have a delayed opening at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, and solid waste collection is canceled as our Public Works crews are busy clearing roadways. The Drakeford Library Complex grand opening is set for 11 a.m. Friday. If there are any changes to this schedule, the announcement will be made broadly, but we're hopeful to stay on schedule. Did you know that the Town of Carrboro is replacing the Carrboro Land Use Ordinance with a new Unified Development Ordinance? Learn more about how you can get involved! Black History Month events this weekend include a health and wellness fair, the famed Jeghetto puppet show and a jazz music concert. Stay safe out there, Carrboro!
Drakeford Library Complex Grand Opening set for Friday, Feb. 21, 2025
Literacy, Education and Cultural Opportunities all under one roof in downtown Carrboro
The grand opening celebrating the completion of the Drakeford Library Complex located at 203 S. Greensboro St. is set for 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. All are welcome!
The $42 million development is the home of the Orange County Southern Branch Library, the Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department, Orange County Skills Development Center, WCOM Radio, and public performance and multipurpose spaces. The civic development is a partnership between the Town of Carrboro and Orange County.
The largest public facility in the history of Carrboro, the three-level building was designed by Perkins & Will Architects and built by Barnhill Contracting Company. At about 52,000 square feet, it features a library, workrooms, classrooms, meeting rooms, flex spaces, a radio studio, third-floor terrace, a performance space and more. The building is attached to a parking deck consisting of 171 parking spaces.
Grand Opening
The grand opening will feature a ribbon cutting, remarks by special guests including members of the Drakeford Family, and tours throughout the day. Refreshments will be provided by Neal’s Deli and Open Eye Café.
Officiating the public ceremony will be Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee and Orange County Board of County Commissioners Chair Jamezetta Bedford, joined by U.S. Congresswoman Valerie Foushee, Town Manager Patrice Toney, Orange County Manager Travis Myren, and members of the Drakeford family, including Derrick Drakeford and Bobby Drakeford, sons of the late Dr. Robert Drakeford.
More information:
The Town of Carrboro posts regular updates to the community on the Town website and through social media. Sign up to receive Carrboro Town News updates.
The Town of Carrboro’s administrative offices will delay opening on Thursday, Feb. 20, until 11:30 a.m.
Local roads will be snow and ice covered this evening, and travel will be dangerous. If you can, please remain home. Weather forecasters predict the wintry precipitation will gradually taper off this evening with some spotty flurries possible. Travel will be hazardous as the lows will dip into the mid-upper 20s.
Solid waste collections are canceled on Thursday and Friday while Carrboro Public Works crews clear roads and respond to the storm.
Chapel Hill Transit has temporarily suspended service. Check for the latest updates here.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools posts its closings, delays and early dismissals on their website.
Additional resources and safety information provided here.
Stay safe out there, Carrboro!
Black History Month Celebrated in Carrboro
We invite and encourage all Carrboro residents to participate in local Black History Month events and to learn about and celebrate the lives, history, and contributions of Black people during this month and throughout the year.
On Saturday, come out for the Health and Wellness Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22. At 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, the Town presents a Black History Month Concert featuring Emmanuel Howard (see more information below). Both events are being held at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. Also on Sunday, we are featuring Jeghetto in “Real American History: by Jim Crow the Puppet" at 2 p.m. at The Drakeford Library Complex 203 S. Greensboro St.
Emmanuel Howard is a native of Charlotte, NC, and at the age of nine began his musical journey learning the guitar, then picked up the alto saxophone, transforming his musical trajectory. During this time, he played in various ensembles between school, church and with the community music program, Community School of the Arts in marching, concert, symphonic, and jazz bands.
Check out all the great events planned and organized by the Carrboro Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department.
Watch the Lecture featuring Dr. Michelle Laws and James Shield Jr.
Watch the Chrishawn Darby Quartet
Watch the Lecture featuring NC Superintendent of Instruction Maurice "Mo" Greene
The Town kicks off the new Unified Development Code Project. Help us write the new code!
The Town of Carrboro is replacing the Carrboro Land Use Ordinance with a new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The adoption of new land use regulations is a key part of implementing the visioning spelled out in the Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan.
How does this affect you?
While the UDO in concerned with land use, it’s more than a tool for homeowners and developers. We want to hear from you about how this tool can realize the various climate, race and equity, stormwater, and sustainable development goals of the Comprehensive Plan.
The UDO will …
contain local zoning and subdivision regulations and associated permitting procedures
govern everything from what kind of new housing developments are easiest to build in Carrboro to how simple it is to add a shed behind your house.
include provisions designed to incentivize the creation of attainable and affordable housing options
dictate what kind of stormwater and flooding protections will be installed with new and infill developments
prescribe standards for the preservation of trees, planting of new ones, and how much shade and canopy coverage lots and developments will need.
The UDO may update street standards, including the establishment of sidewalks, bike infrastructure, and traffic calming throughout town.
How can you get involved?
Visit engage.carrboronc.gov/udo to learn more about the project, sign up for updates, and stay up to date with future engagement opportunities.
Call the project information line at 919-913-3181 to leave a comment by voicemail, learn about upcoming events, or connect with planning staff if you have a question.
Find us at Carrboro in Motion on March 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Estes Park Apartments
Join us at one of our many opportunities to get involved over the course of this 18-month project. The schedule of these can be found on the project webpage at engage.carrboronc.gov/udo
Carrboro's Green Neighborhoods Grant Program now accepting applications
The Green Neighborhoods Grant Program seeks to benefit low-income households and residents of color by bringing neighbors together to pursue projects which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create natural areas that are more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Residents can receive up to $2,500 to complete a project that will either reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance ecosystem resiliency, or contribute to climate action awareness or engagement.
Grant Program Goals:
Educate and empower neighborhoods to address climate change.
Build neighborhood capacity to engage in climate action.
Develop and enhance community and Town partnerships.
Leverage Town and neighborhood involvement and resources
Distribute resources to low-income communities and communities of color who are disproportionately affected by climate change.
Maximum grant amount: $2,500.00
PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
All projects must:
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance ecosystem resiliency, or contribute to climate action awareness or engagement.
Be completed within eleven months of grant award.
Be initiated, planned, and implemented by community members.
Obtain Town permits required for construction, if applicable.
Designate a fiscal agent with Federal Tax ID number, also known as an EIN.
Learn more and apply for the Green Neighborhoods Grant Program here.
The Coven brings workshops for entrepreneurs
Join us as The Coven (a coworking community focused on creating spaces of belonging to help women, non-binary, and trans individuals grow in their careers) co-founders, Alex West Steinman and Erinn Farrell, hit the road to inspire and connect bold entrepreneurs, build vibrant communities, and spark purposeful change. Through transformative workshops, we’re bringing the magic of The Coven to cities across the country - like Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
Growing Purpose into Your Work
Living a purposeful life goes far beyond career milestones or surface-level success—it’s about connecting deeply with what truly drives you and channeling that passion into the work you do. In today’s fast-paced world filled with distractions and pressures, uncovering your “why” and aligning it with your career is more important than ever.
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 25 Time: 8- 9:30 a.m. Location: The Chapel Hill Public Library Registration Online
In this workshop, Alex and Erinn will share their journey from navigating demanding careers in award-winning advertising agencies to founding a brand that sparks creativity and possibility. Through this session, you’ll learn how they aligned their personal purpose with impactful work, embraced authenticity, and cultivated an entrepreneurial mindset to fuel both personal fulfillment and professional success. This workshop is co-sponsored by the Town of Carrboro and Town of Chapel Hill.
ABOUT CARRBORO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community. You can reach the Town Council with your ideas, views and questions anytime at Council@carrboronc.gov Meetings are open to the public to join in person at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. OR via Livestreaming at YouTube.com/CarrboroNC
Regular business meetings are generally held the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Work sessions are generally held the second Tuesdays of the month. Public comment is not accepted during work sessions, and votes are not taken.
2025 Winter-Spring Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Program Guide Now Available
The 2025 Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Winter-Spring Program Guide is now available! This guide covers programs and events from January through April, including Spring Athletic Leagues, and registration for 2025 Summer Camps.
Register at the Carrboro Century Center at 100 N. Greensboro St. during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.) and online via RecConnect at www.carrbororec.org
If you are a new participant who wishes to register online, please be sure to set up via our online registration site (linked below). Please allow at least 3 business days for account review and approval.
If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department at 919-918-7364.
It’s easy to find free two-hour public parking in Carrboro, where you can access convenient parking at 11 public lots all over town.
Please remember that the Carr Mill Mall parking area is for mall customers and is not a public parking lot. Leaving the mall premises after parking risks towing. When in doubt, always park in public lots, and enjoy a hassle-free and relaxed shopping and dining experience.
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