2024-03-20 CHOCVB Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board Meeting at Sheraton Chapel Hill March 20, 2024 8:00—9:15 AM Board Members Present: Grace Holtkamp, Tanya Moore, Karen DeHart- Chair, Sam Vadgama, John Hartman-Brown, Anna Richards, Matt Hughes, Randee Haven-O'Donnell, Wendy Smith, Jeri Lynn Schulke, Donald"DR"Bryan, Shannan Campbell Not Present: Sharon Hill, Anita"Spring" Council, Heidi Werner Dawson, Paris Miller-Foushee, Meredith Saybe, Steve Peck Staff Attendance: Laurie Paolicelli,Marlene Barbera, Hannah Hemphill Guests: Jessica Herrschaft, Ryan Stewart Call to Order Karen DeHart, Chair called the meeting to order 8:13 AM. Round Table Introductions Approval of Minutes Karen Dehart requested a motion to approve the February 20, 2024 minutes. Randee Haven O'Donnell made a motion to approve the minutes and Sam Vadgama seconded the motion. With all members in favor, the minutes were approved as submitted. Booth Park Chapel Hill-Ryan Stewart • Booth Park, named after JE Booth, is a project at corner of Este and MLK, involving an invest of$150 million with an expected economic impact of a quarter billion dollars. The development is intended to be mixed-use, incorporating carious community elements, such as a park open to the public. • The development will include 58 townhomes, 361 apartments, and 37 affordable housing units, including 8 with a community trust. These affordable units aim to serve individuals at 65% and 80% of the area median income (AMI). Additionally, the project includes subterranean parking facilities. • The development will also feature amenities catering to the community's needs, such as three restaurant tenants, fitness facilities, veterinary services, and other essential services. • During discussions, concerns were raised about the potential for the development to create a food desert,particularly if there is no access to a grocery store for residents of the housing units. Executive Director's Report • Occupancy tax is currently at$238million and projected at $271 million this fiscal year. Hotel rates are leveling out. • The next soccer tournament at Kenan Stadium has been announced, with Manchester City staying at Carolina Inn. There are concerns about connectivity for visitors for the soccer tournament. We are meeting with Trolley Fleet from Raleigh to help address these issues. • Visitors Bureau staff attended the VisitNC Tourism Conference. Governor Cooper and Secretary Saunders spoke optimistically about tourism,with emphasis on outdoor tourism and eco-sensitivity.