Shaping a Generational Investment: The Mission of the Carolina North Stakeholder Advisory Committee

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is embarking on its largest physical expansion since the cornerstone of Old East was laid in 1793. To help guide this historic endeavor, UNC Chancellor Lee H. Roberts recently convened the inaugural Carolina North Stakeholder Advisory Committee.

While the project promises to be a massive economic catalyst for the Triangle, its success hinges on balancing the University's academic vision with the needs of the surrounding Chapel Hill and Carrboro communities. Here is a look at what the committee is tasked with, who is at the table, and what this development means for the region's commercial real estate landscape.

The Vision for Carolina North

Situated on 230 acres surrounding the former Horace Williams Airport along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Carolina North is envisioned as a "learn-live-work-play" district.

Phase I of the development will rely heavily on public-private partnerships to deliver a dynamic mix of academic and bioengineering research spaces, student housing, multi-family residential units, a hotel, and ground-floor retail and entertainment. With an aggressive timeline, the University aims to break ground by the summer of 2027.

The Committee’s Crucial Task

The Stakeholder Advisory Committee plays an exceptionally vital role in this development due to recent shifts in local governance. A state law enacted in late 2025 exempted UNC System projects from local development and zoning regulations, meaning the Town of Chapel Hill no longer has formal permitting authority over Carolina North.

Because the Town's regulatory influence is now limited, the 32-member advisory committee serves as the primary bridge to ensure the development aligns with the community's broader goals. The committee is specifically charged with advising the Chancellor on the site's vision, land use, user experience, and public mission. Key priorities for the committee include:

• Integrating Transit: Ensuring the campus seamlessly connects with Chapel Hill's upcoming North-South Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line to mitigate traffic impacts.

• Housing and Complete Communities: Advising on how the project can contribute to Chapel Hill's "Complete Community" strategy and its affordable housing targets, which include a goal to reserve 15 percent of housing units for those at or below 80 percent of the area median income.

  
  

Who is at the Table

To ensure diverse perspectives, the committee includes local residents, UNC alumni, students, and faculty. The group is co-chaired by UNC Trustee Brian Allen, UNC School of Government Professor Anita Brown-Graham, and Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro President Aaron Nelson.

"At BOLD Commercial Real Estate, we are proud to be part of this vital conversation. As a BOLD representative—and a proud UNC alum from the Class of '09—I am honored to serve on the committee to represent the local business sector. By providing a practical market perspective on real estate economics, public-private partnerships, and commercial feasibility, my goal is to help bridge the gap between the University's academic ambitions and the financial realities of private development." - Chela Tu, Senior Associate

What to Expect Next

Following its inaugural meeting on June 8, the committee will meet every other month to review ongoing plans and provide feedback. Over the coming months, the University will focus on developing a "place strategy" to determine the desired user experience of the campus, and by late summer, it expects to formalize its master planning team with Ayres Associates.

As the University prepares to issue requests for private development partners, Carolina North is poised to act as a major catalyst for Chapel Hill’s economic growth and innovation for decades to come.

For more information on the project, upcoming meeting agendas, and a full list of committee members, visit the official committee page: https://carolinanorth.unc.edu/stakeholder-advisory-committee/