Chapel Hill Museum site awaits appraisal

523 E. Franklin St. is a building with a rich history — but an uncertain future.

The Chapel Hill Town Council is currently awaiting an appraisal on all such town-owned properties, and the future of the building could be decided soon after.

Constructed and dedicated by the Town of Chapel Hill in 1968, the mid-century modern structure served as the Chapel Hill Public Library until 1993.

It has had several different uses since then, including the location of the Chapel Hill Historical Society and then the Chapel Hill Museum starting in 1997.

In June 2010, the museum closed due to a lack of funds.

Today, 523 E. Franklin St. has returned to one of its former functions — housing the Chapel Hill Historical Society, a public education and outreach organization. The society’s office is on the building’s first floor. The upper level is no longer in use.

During its meeting Monday night, the Town Council tabled a discussion that would have allowed Town Manager Roger Stancil to start marketing the building as for sale.

The Town Council postponed any further consideration of the property until it receives an updated appraisal.

Town Council member Sally Greene said because the council tabled the discussion, it has not received a formal update on the property.

A committee of local real estate professionals was brought together last year to suggest the best uses for the property, Chapel Hill’s asset needs and the goals of Chapel Hill 2020.

The report suggested office space would be the best option for 523 E. Franklin St., as long as the office use was in harmony with the building’s location in the Franklin-Rosemary historic district.

It also noted the building could be a good location for a visitors’ center or even a combined Orange County Visitors Bureau office and a University Welcome Center Office.

The report recommended ordering an appraisal of the building to determine its potential market value.

An easement — a document created to protect historical buildings — is held by Preservation North Carolina and could prevent the building from being torn down or from being changed.

Because of its historical significance, Cheri Szcodronski, executive director of Preservation Chapel Hill, said the surrounding neighborhood is concerned about it being torn down.

Szcodronski also said she thinks the town intends to sell the building in the next few years.

“I think that history is really important in addition to the architecture, so we would just really like to see it stay and have a new life with a new owner,” she said.

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