The Chapel Hill Town Council voted to approve the Brownfields Plan, allowing government buildings and a parking garage on top of the coal ash pile. The coal ash was landfilled decades before the former Police Department headquarters at 828 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. was built. The existing building will be razed. On September 13, 2023, the Council adopted a resolution authorizing the Town Manager to proceed with leasing space for the Police Department, while staff continues working with the NC State Brownfields program for 828 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Both the Town of Chapel Hill and DEQ have signed the Brownfields Agreement, which includes a prohibition against building daycare centers and housing. Disappointingly, the agreement does not call for more ash removal. The Town continues to consider what allowable uses to build there, and a survey is available. Please weigh in on what you think needs to happen on this property by taking the town survey here.