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For Approval June 18, 2025 <br /> • Offers herself as a point of contact for community members needing university assistance or <br /> information. <br /> 3. Current Priorities and Initiatives <br /> • Franklin Street Issues: <br /> o Addressing concerns about aggressive panhandling and support for the unhoused <br /> population. <br /> o Collaborated with Chapel Hill town staff and Orange County on resources and gaps. <br /> o Sponsored a service provider breakfast in March to explore resource coordination. <br /> o Exploring the possibility of a day center for unhoused individuals using university space <br /> on Homestead Row. <br /> • Downtown Chapel Hill Partnership: <br /> o Serving on the board during a period of reimagination to enhance downtown vitality. <br /> • Lot 2/Behind Raising Cane's and former Spanky's Restaurant. <br /> o Working on possible redevelopment of"Lot 2" surface parking into a community <br /> gathering space. <br /> • Transportation Planning: <br /> o Engaged in a corridor feasibility study where the powerplant is located, considering <br /> future development possibilities. <br /> • Town Manager Hiring: <br /> o Supporting Chapel Hill's process to hire a permanent town manager. <br /> 4. Updates on University Projects <br /> • Downtown Undergraduate Admissions Visitors Center: <br /> o Ongoing discussions on whether the center should be on Franklin Street or more <br /> centrally located on campus. <br /> o Commitment remains to revitalize Franklin Street, with other potential uses being <br /> explored. But it looks like the admissions center will be kept centrally located on <br /> campus. <br /> • The Junction and Innovation Carolina Initiatives: <br /> o The Junction serves as an innovation hub with coworking space, a student-run coffee <br /> shop, and Launch Chapel Hill programs supporting small business growth. <br /> o Collaboration with KKMG aims to accelerate startups in emerging sectors including Al, <br /> biotech, and robotics. <br /> o The university has a ten-year lease on the space, currently in year three or four. <br /> • University Budget FY 26: <br /> o Proposed budget is approximately $4.5 billion with priorities on data science, <br /> enrollment growth, and campus master planning. <br /> o Emphasis on managing financial uncertainties and communicating the value of <br /> university research to state and federal officials. <br /> o The Board of Trustees requested the administration identify an additional $50 million <br /> savings for the upcoming fiscal year to offset potential reductions in federal funding. <br /> 5. Carolina North Project <br /> • Re-envisioning an older plan for development about a mile from campus, focusing on mixed- <br /> use community development including: <br /> o Enrollment and academic growth <br /> o Athletics facilities (with ongoing evaluation of feasibility and cost, especially <br /> concerning the Dean Dome) <br /> o Affordable and market-rate housing (3,000-5,000 units planned) <br /> o Campus recreation and dining facilities <br /> 4Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting May 21 , 2025 <br />