Voters in Orange County made their support of funding major school infrastructure projects and a variety of Chapel Hill projects clear, with results on the bond referendums largely in favor of all on Tuesday.
With all precincts reporting on Tuesday night, the county’s bond referendum — which asked voters whether the local government could take out $300 million in debt to fund the construction of new schools — drew roughly 67.49% of votes approving the measure.
The county’s bond referendum will split the $300 million in funding between Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools districts based on their average daily membership, meaning CHCCS will receive $174.7 million and Orange County Schools will receive $125.3 million. This funding, which will be spread out across ten years as the county government gradually takes out chunks of debt, will be supplemented by roughly $100 million directly from the county’s budgeted spending.
CHCCS’ leaders voted to potentially replace three elementary schools with new buildings thanks to the school bond: Frank Porter Graham Elementary, Carrboro Elementary and Estes Hills Elementary. The Orange County Schools district will potentially add a new brand elementary school, replace Orange Middle School, and use the remaining money (an estimated $27 million) for an additional, undetermined major project.
Chapel Hill, meanwhile, had five different bond measures on residents’ ballots totaling $44 million. All of them earned at least 70% of the vote, with the Open Space and Greenways Bond earning the most favor with more than 80% of the vote.
The $15 million Public Building bond is for its aging Fire Stations 3 and 4, and will help provide funding to build completely new buildings. The Parks and Recreation Facilities bond is meant for replacing the artificial turf at Homestead Park’s athletic fields, with any extra money going toward projects like a splash pad, expanding or enhancing pickleball courts, and replacing the town’s climbing wall. The Open Space and Greenways bond would be dedicated to extending the Bolin Creek Greenway from Umstead Park to Estes Drive Extension.
Two of the five town bonds are not specific to one project, but more for Chapel Hill to have funding for projects that align with its goals. One is an affordable housing bond for $15 million that would be put toward future projects that fit with Affordable Housing Plan and Investment Strategy. Similarly, the $7.5 million Streets and Sidewalks bond has a variety of projects it could help; among those discussed are the Fordham Sidepath project, sidewalks along Ephesus Church Road, and more sidewalks near schools and transit stops.
Featured photo via Town of Chapel Hill.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
Related Stories
‹
![]()
Chapel Hill: No Holiday Parade, But Rosemary Street Development + Small Businesses
Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger joins 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell on Thursday, December 2. She details why the town is not having a holiday parade this winter, although it’s already planning for next year. Plus: Hemminger shares highlights from the recent Chapel Hill Town Council meeting and the holiday weekend.
East Rosemary Street To Become One-Lane Road Through Mid-October
As part of the continuing East Rosemary Street redevelopment project, the Town of Chapel Hill announced a section of the street will be reduced to one lane due to construction. The section in question is between the intersections with North Columbia and Henderson streets, according to a release on Friday. The closure will take place […]
![]()
Chapel Hill: East Rosemary Street, Re-Election Campaign and Downtown
Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger joins 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell to discuss several things happening around downtown, including preparation for the demotion of the East Rosemary Street Parking Deck. Plus: Hemminger officially launches her re-election campaign and community members are sharing feedback on pandemic-era changes to the town.
Spaces in Chapel Hill’s Rosemary-Columbia Parking Lot to Close for Construction
More than two dozen parking spaces in Chapel Hill will be lost for the foreseeable future ahead of major development on East Rosemary Street. The town government recently alerted the community the lower section of the Rosemary-Columbia Parking Lot will be closed off beginning Monday, February 22. The area will be used to stage and […]
Chapel Hill Approves Agreement for Major East Rosemary Development with 5-3 Vote
The Chapel Hill Town Council took a significant procedural step to the start of major development planned along East Rosemary Street in the coming years. With a 5-3 vote at its Wednesday meeting, the council approved Town Manager Maurice Jones to enter a development agreement with Grubb Properties, who plans to construct a new parking […]
Chapel Hill Town Council Discusses Next Step of East Rosemary Development
Plans for major developments on Chapel Hill’s East Rosemary Street were put on hold from public meetings during the summer break. But as local government returned, Chapel Hill’s Town Council recently discussed the next step of the project and heard public comment. The East Rosemary Downtown Deck and Redevelopment Project consists of the town consolidating […]
Town of Chapel Hill Still ‘Negotiating’ On Rosemary Street Parking Deck as Summer Break Begins
The Chapel Hill Town Council had a full agenda for its last scheduled meeting before a summer break last Wednesday. One item not discussed, however, was a formal economic development agreement for a proposed parking deck on East Rosemary Street. The town and Grubb Properties, the developers applying for the project, are still in discussions […]
Town of Chapel Hill Receives Design Updates, Financial Projections for East Rosemary Street Development
A major development project for East Rosemary Street in downtown Chapel Hill continues to progress, as the town council recently heard updates on the latest details for a new parking deck. Town officials hope the 125 East Rosemary Street site, where one parking deck owned by Grubb Properties currently stands, will be where a newer […]
Chapel Hill Town Council Expresses Excitement Over East Rosemary Development
The Chapel Hill Town Council recently heard a proposal for extensive redevelopment for East Rosemary Street. The plans include the addition of a new office building, lab space and town green spaces. Town council members were aware of the proposed development plans before their discussion at Wednesday’s meeting. Because part of the proposal includes a […]
Voters Approve Bond Referendums in Orange County, Chapel Hill For Schools and Infrastructure Projects
Voters in Orange County made their support of funding major school infrastructure projects and various Chapel Hill projects clear on Tuesday.
›
