Friends of the Downtown: 2009 – 2010 Programs
December 2, 2010 – Ron Stutts, the voice of Chapel Hill and WCHL, discussed the changes in Chapel Hill and presented prizes.
October 28, 2010 – Valerie Foushee, Chair of the Orange County Commissioners and Chapel Hill resident, discussed how actions of the county government affect our downtown and answered questions about county funding and other policies.
September 30, 2010 – Rick Steinbacher, Carolina’s Assistant Athletic Director for Football Operations, updated us on marketing for the football season. Dave Hartzell, Kenan Flagler Business School Professor of Real Estate in the MBA program, and several of his students presented ideas about future development in downtown Chapel Hill.
August 26, 2010 – Gordon Merklein, UNC’s Executive Director of Real Estate Development, and representatives from Cousins Properties updated the redevelopment plans for University Square.
July 27, 2010 – Dan Douglas, the Director of Urban Planning and Urban Design for Kling Stubbins and consultant to the Downtown Partnership, discussed the process for developing a new downtown plan for Chapel Hill.
June 24, 2010 – Jay Patel, owner of the Franklin Hotel owner, and Josh Gurlitz, of Gurlitz Architects, spoke on the subject of designing and building the hotel and plans for the hotel today and in the future.
May 27, 2010 – Aaron Nelson, Director of the Chamber of Commerce, discussed the economy of the region, Chapel Hill and the Downtown and dazzled us with facts, figures and a lively presentation.
April 29, 2010 – Tim Toben, Managing Partner of Greenbridge Development, the 10-story, energy efficient condominium and mixed-use project discusses the final days of construction and the status of leasing as the project nears occupancy
March 25, 2010 – Gordon Merklein, UNC Executive Director of Real Estate, and John McColl, EVP-Development, Office Leasing and Asset Management, presented detailed plans for the redevelopment of University Square.
February 25, 2010 – Scott Maitland, Top of the Hill owner, discussed why he purposely located his businesses in downtown Chapel Hill when it may be less expensive elsewhere? He discussed his vision for downtown and his future plans.
January 28, 2010 – Robert Poitras, Carolina Brewery owner, told the epic of the restaurant and what he sees for the future of West Franklin Street.
December 3, 2009 – Emil Kang, UNC’s first Executive Director for the Arts, presented an energetic and informative focus on the arts and economic development.
September 24, 2009 – Friends of the Downtown Candidate Forum, moderated by Gregg Gerdau. Candidates for election in Chapel Hill responded to questions from the moderator and audience members in the Fellowship Hall of University Presbyterian Church.