Chapel Hill, UNC Health working together on next phase of expansion

Chapel Hill, UNC Health working together on next phase of expansion

Writer: Joshua Andino

2 min read   2023— UNC Health has offered to develop $5 million in affordable housing while preserving an additional 10 acres of forest for its Eastowne Medical campus in Chapel Hill. 

UNC Health’s Eastowne campus expansion began work in 2017 and the latest plan will head to a vote this spring, reports the News & Observer. The original plan included 3 million square feet of medical offices, clinics and parking but was scaled back to 1.1 million square feet on 30 acres off of U.S. 15-501, within the Eastowne Drive Loop. An additional 20 acres is situated between Eastowne Drive and the I-40 off-ramp. 

The land is designated as a natural heritage area and while UNC Health is offering to place half of the available land under a conservation easement, local officials would prefer to save it entirely. “We have very, very few opportunities to do something of this magnitude on an environmental level, and unfortunately, it is ground zero on your site. That would be a huge gift to the community … to preserve that,” said Council member Amy Ryan in last week’s council meeting.

The first part of the expansion, the UNC Health Eastowne Medical Office Building, opened in March 2021 after breaking ground in 2019. Should the town approve the proposed master plan, four additional buildings, each with a corresponding parking deck, could be constructed every three to five years. 

Local residents and officials alike are interested in leveraging UNC Health’s expansion in the area to help provide additional affordable housing. Three proposals were provided by UNC, with council members most keen on a $5 million revolving loan fund that could potentially create anywhere from 500 to 1,000 units over the next 20 years. Whatever the case may be, officials were appreciative of the investment in the community. “UNC Health needs to be in Chapel Hill, and Chapel Hill needs UNC Health to be here, and so I’m really grateful that UNC wants to make this magnitude of investment in our community,” Council member Michael Parker said. 

Regardless of how city officials and UNC Health choose to proceed, many are in agreement that affordable housing solutions are increasingly needed. That has led state officials in Raleigh to consider a number of different avenues, from upzoning entire neighborhoods and cities to permitting Affordable Dwelling Units (ADUs) across the state. The increased flexibility will help lower costs; however, how communities will handle the growth remains to be seen. 

Chapel Hill’s Eastowne Drive-U.S. 15-501 corridor, the site of the campus expansion, is increasingly busy. The route connects to Durham and a number of apartments, clinics and office space are all coming online, in addition to retail grocer Wegmans and The Parkline office building. Bisecting all of the development is U.S. 15-501 and the intersection with Eastowne Drive – making pedestrian safety and traffic key considerations moving forward. According to Mayor Pam Hemminger, a pedestrian bridge was already considered for the corridor but officials do not believe it to be the best solution, reported the News & Observer. The issue remains unresolved. 

The public hearing will continue on May 24. 

For more information, visit: 

https://www.uncmedicalcenter.org/uncmc/

https://www.townofchapelhill.org/government/mayor-and-council 

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