March 20, 2024
A rapid bus transit line that will improve commute times to the University and area...
Read MoreMarch 19, 2024
UNC’s Naval Armory has been included on the National Register of Historic Places, which should...
Read MoreMarch 19, 2024
This article was updated March 20, 2024. Mike Smith ’78 (JD), dean emeritus of the...
Read MoreThey’re called the “red spots” on the Campus Master Plan map – the places designated in red where consultants and UNC architects believe new buildings and additions logically could go but that are on the back of the stove, unfunded and in some cases their uses unidentified.
Some of the red spots moved up a burner or two in March, when campus planners began seeking concept approval from the town of Chapel Hill. They range from a new headquarters for the nationally top-ranked School of Information and Library Science amid the dormitory-dominated South Campus to a vast addition to the dental school and more modest projects.
UNC also is seeking approval to add 8,804 seats to Kenan Stadium, which probably would entail demolishing the 1927 Kenan Field House and closing in the stadium’s east end. Athletics also wants to expand Boshamer Stadium with additional seats, restrooms and concession areas. Both stadiums could get box seats.
Approval is sought for an addition to the George Watts Hill Alumni Center.
With the exception of the SILS move and perhaps the parking deck with tennis courts, none of these is a surprise to those who have followed the planning schemes for the past seven years. The projects are in various stages of funding approval. The genome science and dental science buildings are UNC’s top priority for consideration in this year’s legislative session. Several of the others are in the University’s request from the 2005-07 biennial capital projects budget. Parking decks are paid for with parking revenues. UNC would move ahead with planning and construction as soon as funding is in place.
The athletics and Alumni Center additions, to be built with private money, have no firm timetables.