40 years of Chapel Hill work by Pat Evans

Since moving to Chapel Hill in 1970, Pat Evans has left her mark on the town in many ways, including the Carolina blue fire trucks and development of Meadowmont.

In her long career of public service, Evans has served on the Chapel Hill Town Council, the Planning Board, the Tourism Board and Friends of the Downtown Chapel Hill — just to name a few.

“I never saw myself running for council, but I always saw myself as a volunteer,” she said.

Recently, Evans and her husband were granted lifetime membership to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, after paying their dues for 20 years.

Aaron Nelson, president and CEO of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro chamber, said the lifetime membership was a way to recognize Evans for her two decades of work.

“She’s given us enough that we don’t need her to pay dues,” he said.

From her decade on the council to her current position as the chair of Friends of the Downtown, Evans said she sees her accomplishments only as a progression of her volunteer life.

Josh Gurlitz, vice chairman of Friends of the Downtown, said when Evans campaigned for council, she was one of the few women running for the office.

“I have very fond memories of her campaigns and the work she did running the campaigns,” he said. “As well as her effectiveness when she got into office.”

While on the council, Evans said she helped to unite Chapel Hill’s University and residential communities — something she said the council was not previously concerned about.

“I felt a great deal more could be accomplished if we partnered with the University,” she said.

Evans said her experience with her daughter’s time at Clemson University also inspired her to push for free transit in the town and to paint the iconic Carolina blue fire trucks. She said Clemson’s orange fire trucks inspired her.

Evans also said the fire trucks not only brought pride to the community, but are a major attraction at sports games at UNC.

“Children love it at the hospital,” she said. “It kind of makes you feel good.”

Three years after leaving the council, Evans said she restarted Friends of the Downtown with the help of the Franklin Hotel, in order to foster economic development in the town.

“I think it’s important to have something that brings the town and University together, and in many ways, Friends of the Downtown is that organization,” Evans said.

Nelson said Evans has always supported local businesses in the town.

“She was a champion of the business community for her entire career,” he said.

Evans also served on the planning board for nine years. She said one of her biggest accomplishments was the design of Meadowmont, after planning the Southern Village neighborhood.

But she said she couldn’t pick just one thing she has done to be proud of.

“I’m not and never have been a one-issue person,” Evans said. “Overall, I’m pretty proud of this community.”

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