TO THE EDITOR:
It's important to recognize that Greenbridge is in fact only one piece of the broader trend of gentrification in Chapel Hill.
Developments like Rosemary Village Warehouse Apartments the Franklin Hotel and the upcoming development at 140 W. Franklin St. all contribute to rising property taxes.
Not to mention the handful of realtors who during the last 20 years have increased property values in Northside by purchasing houses renovating them and renting them out to students at high prices.
This factor in particular is one of the major contributors to the marginalization of the Northside community which has seen the number of owner-occupied homes drop from 80 to 20 percent.
Greenbridge is simply the most visible and current cause of gentrification in Chapel Hill not the sole harbinger of it. Give them credit for their environmental and social equity efforts even if they have been a bit short-sighted.
Let's keep dialogue open. Northside is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in town and it will remain that way only through a spirit of cooperation from both sides.
Jon McDonald
Senior
English
