Friends of the Downtown: 2014 Programs
October 30, 2014 – Roger Waldon, former Planning Director for the Town of Chapel Hill and Principal of Clarion Associates, a national land use and real estate consulting firm, presented “There’s Something Happening Here!”
September 25, 2014 – Mediterranean Deli owner Jamil Kadoura shared his perspective as both a restaurateur and Downtown business owner. He also elaborated on the story of starting his business and now on opening a Middle Eastern Market in the space next to Med Deli.
August 28, 2014 – Rick Steinbacher, Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Communications at UNC. Rick manages all athletic department external communications including marketing, social media, communications and game day customer relations. He presented an inside perspective how the football team will perform this year and information on all upcoming UNC sports events.
June 26, 2014 – George Cianciolo, Town of Chapel Hill Council Member, talked about the significant achievements of his first six months on the Council. These included the approval of several significant developments, reviewing affordable housing initiatives and transportation policies, and helping the council focus on the big issues, while having Town staff work out the specific details.
May 29, 2014 – Meg McGurk, Executive Director of the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, and Megan Wooley, Housing and Neighborhood Services Planner for the Town of Chapel Hill, presented a summary of Rosemary Imagined, the community-led process to gather input on the future development of Rosemary Street. They also solicited input from the Friends to include in their upcoming report to the Town.
April 24, 2014 – Gordon Merklein, Executive Director of Real Estate at UNC, Jason Frost, Vice President Development at Cousins Properties, and Jeff Furman, Vice President Development at Northwood Ravin presented an update on the plan and redevelopment schedule for University Square.
March 27, 2014 – Zach Ward, executive producer and artistic director of DSI Comedy Theater explained the move of the DSI Comedy Theater from Carr Mill Mall to their new location on West Franklin Street and discussed the new programs they offer in their expanded space.
February 27, 2014 – Pam Wall, Executive Director of Kidzu Children’s Museum, explained the evolution of Kidzu, from the original Downtown location on East Franklin Street, to University Square, to their relocation in University Mall. She and architect Frank Harmon presented their plans to create a wonderful new space in Downtown atop the Wallace Parking Deck.
January 30, 2014 – Phil Szostak, principal of Szostak Design, presented his firm’s award-winning work, including the Durham Performing Arts Center, Capitol Broadcasting’s Headquarters in Raleigh and Winmore in Carrboro. He shared his thoughts about being located in Downtown and about the many areas slated for redevelopment in Chapel Hill.