News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC (March 27, 2025)
The Drakeford Family was welcomed warmly by community at the Drakeford Library Complex grand opening celebration. We were pleased to meet (left to right) Iris, Derrick, Diane and Bobby Drakeford. They are pictured here enjoying the view of downtown Carrboro from the terrace of the complex. See more of our recap from the ribbon cutting! This Friday, we celebrate the Transgender Day of Visibility in Carrboro! Public forums on the Unified Development Ordinance are set for Thursday and Saturday. Also on Saturday, a Town Hall is scheduled at the Drakeford Library Complex. Be sure to attend to share comments and questions about the state of the community (and beyond). Lots happening in town - so check this issue for more!
Grand Opening Celebration of the Drakeford Library Complex
The Grand Opening CELEBRATION of the Drakeford Library Complex was held on Friday, March 21, 2025 with much joy and spirit of community connections past, present and future. The main hall was packed for remarks by elected officials from the Town of Carrboro and Orange County, U.S. Congresswoman Varlerie Foushee, Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis, Town Manager Patrice Toney, and Derrick Drakeford (son of Robert Drakeford, for whom the complex is named), a ribbon cutting, refreshments, building tours, and special presentations honoring the construction workers who built the complex, historic background about Robert Drakeford and more.
If you haven't yet visited the Drakeford Library Complex, you need to make the trip!
TOWN HALL set for Saturday, March 29 at the Drakeford Library Complex
The Town of Carrboro will host a Town Hall meeting at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29, to give residents an opportunity to express their thoughts in the wake of enacted or proposed changes across various policy areas at state and federal levels of government.
The Town Hall will take place in the theater/performance space at the Drakeford Library Complex, 203 S. Greensboro St.
Residents are encouraged to attend to share suggestions, questions and concerns.
For several weeks, residents from across town have been reaching out informally to share their concerns over impacts from the reshaping of federal government. There are also changes proposed from the state level. NC General Assembly House Bill 244 would allow only “certain flags” to be flown or displayed on state and local government properties. House Bill 171 would prohibit the use of government funds in support of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in state and local governments. The bill includes civil and criminal penalties for noncompliance, including a Class I misdemeanor offense.
At the Town Hall, Town Manager Patrice Toney will share actions the town is taking to prepare for policies coming down from higher levels of government. This is a valuable opportunity for residents to make their voices heard and actively participate in a public forum.
The Town Hall will be videoed and posted to Town of Carrboro Facebook and YouTube channels.
For more information, contact the Communication and Engagement Department at info@carrboronc.gov
Help Develop Carrboro's New Unified Development Ordinance
The Town of Carrboro is hosting its first series of public events to replace 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.
You’re Invited! Join the Public Forum on either Thursday, March 27 from 6 to 8 p.m., or Saturday, March 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Both forums are being held at Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. Carrboro, NC 27510.
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.
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
Updates from Town Hall to You
Check your mailboxes for the Annual Community Update from Mayor Barbara Foushee and the Town Council. The dates for the Town Budget Public Hearings are provided, as well as a video message from Mayor Foushee with updates from Town Hall. This is one of many ways that the Town of Carrboro works to keep community informed. Thanks for your interest!
Transgender Day of Visibility
Transgender Day of Visibility is recognized in the Town of Carrboro from Friday, March 28 through Thursday, April 3, 2025, as proclaimed by Mayor Barbara Foushee.
The Town of Carrboro stands with, celebrates, and defends its transgender residents and employees, and supports the mission of the International Transgender Day of Visibility.
Residents are asked to celebrate our transgender community, to educate ourselves about the contributions of transgender people, and support our transgender community’s efforts to achieve equity and full inclusion in our society. The transgender community includes all those whose gender does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth, including many non-binary and third gender people.
This observance started in 2009 by trans elder and activist Rachel Crandall-Crocker in response to the lack of visibility for transgender people and the focus of that limited public attention on violence and cruelty against transgender people.
The Transgender Pride Flag will be flown at Town Hall in honor of the holiday.
The proclamation was read on March 18, 2025 by Council Member Catherine Fray, who was joined by members of our community.
Join Carrboro Police at a Bike Event
Join Carrboro Police Department and East Cost Electric Speed Shop for a fun morning of bicycles and bicycle safety.
Stop by on Saturday, April 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St., Carrboro, NC 27510.
Carrboro to Celebrate Earth Day/Open Streets!
Celebrate Earth Day with an event that brings people together for an afternoon of eco-friendly activities and outdoor fun. Enjoy a car-free Weaver Street on Sunday, April 6 from noon to 4 p.m. as downtown Carrboro transforms into vibrant spaces for cycling, walking, and exploring green initiatives. Let’s make Earth Day a celebration of nature, sustainability, and collective action toward a greener future!
This fun event will feature a variety of interactive activities to help you take action to create a cleaner, greener Carrboro. Learn more about climate action and environmental issues in our community and enjoy activities for children of all ages, including a bicycle obstacle course, Earth Day themed arts, crafts, and games, sing-a-longs, an EV Rodeo, and a rock-climbing wall.
There will be planet-friendly vegan and vegetarian food for purchase and great local bands on the Earth Day stage. The event will end with a parade down Weaver Street.
This year’s Earth Day theme is: Our Power, Our Planet. Grassroots people-power has always been at the heart of Earth Day. As Earth Day turns 55 this year, the Town of Carrboro’s Earth Day Celebration is all about encouraging everyone to take action on Earth Day and every day.
Learn more about Carrboro’s efforts to reduce carbon pollution and fight climate change.
Superintendent Search Underway
News from the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools is searching for its next superintendent. The Board of Education is looking for the qualities and characteristics that our community believes will be most important in the next leader of CHCCS. The best way to gather that is by completing a survey that should take only five minutes or less.
In the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 26, members of the Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department responded to Berkshire 54 Apartments located at 101 NC 54 Bypass for a reported structure fire. Additional information was given that heavy smoke and flames were visible.
Responding crews arrived in about five minutes and found an apartment building with flames visible in one apartment and the breezeway. Fire crews immediately initiated a fire attack and extinguished the fire in about 20 minutes. Fire damage was contained to one apartment. There was smoke damage in the breezeway. Initial damage estimates are $75,000.
There were no injuries reported at the fire. Two residents were displaced from one apartment, which was deemed uninhabitable. They are being assisted by friends and property management.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A total of 23 firefighters responded to the fire. The Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department received assistance from the Chapel Hill Fire Department, White Cross Fire Department, Orange Grove Fire Department, Orange County Emergency Medical Services, and the Carrboro Police Department. The New Hope Fire Department assisted with coverage during the fire.
Carrboro Police Host Medication Drop
Bring your used or expired medications to Carrboro Harris Teeter, 200 N. Greensboro St, on Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Help keep our community safer and healthier. Disposing of used or expired medications properly can help reduce overdoses, overdose deaths, and drug-related violence.
Town Council Update
The Town Council is scheduled to meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 1.
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
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.
Maybe it's because we're coming out from all that cold weather, but spring definitely brings out the weird and wonderful in us. Which means it's prime time for you to experience only-in-Carrboro free festivals and events. Join us as we play in our public spaces, celebrate Elizabeth Cotten, and feel that small town pride. Who’s ready to play Giant Jenga?
Carrboro Earth Day Celebration & Open Streets: Sunday, April 6
Celebrate Earth Day from noon to 4 p.m. with an event that brings people together for an afternoon of eco-friendly activities and outdoor fun. Enjoy a car-free East and West Weaver St in downtown Carrboro transformed into vibrant spaces for cycling, walking, and exploring green initiatives. Let’s make Earth Day a celebration of nature, sustainability, and collective action towards a greener future! https://www.carrboronc.gov/745/Carrboro-Earth-Day-Open-Streets
Freight Train Blues: May 16, 23, 30, and June 6
Join the Music Maker Foundation at the Carrboro Town Commons on Fridays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for the 11thannual celebration of Carrboro blues legend Elizabeth Cotten. The series honors her contributions to the American roots genre by highlighting the cultural significance of the Carolina Piedmont style and its connections to current artists like Diana Tuffin bringing Blues & Jazz, to Conjunto Breve bringing in the Salsa night. https://www.musicmaker.org/freight-train-blues/
Seeking Vendors for Chapel Hill-Carrboro Juneteenth
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Juneteenth Celebration returns with food, fun, music, and more! We need vendors, nonprofits, and food trucks to participate in our 4th annual edition of this event.
Please note the new location of this year’s event at Carrboro Town Commons.
Note: No ads. No entries are permitted for strictly advertising or recruitment activities. No political campaigning or electioneering. Local vendors, nonprofits, and food trucks will be prioritized.
Apply Online. Application deadline: Friday, April 4, 2025 at 5 p.m.
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 Drakeford Library Complex at 203 S. 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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