Meredith Miller

News

Town to address problems of panhandling, gangs

By Meredith Miller | November 13

David Madison does not want to be bothered by panhandlers when he walks down Franklin Street, much less when he's at work. But as an assistant manager at Qdoba at 100 W. Franklin St., he said he deals with the issue all the time. "They are around our store a lot," Madison said. "That's obviously not very inviting to our customers." Panhandling and other issues will be up for discussion early Tuesday, as the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership - along with Chapel Hill police and town officials -hosts a forum for downtown stakeholders on crime and safety.

News

Lots of development in store

By Meredith Miller | April 28

It's difficult to talk about the future of downtown Chapel Hill without mentioning new developments. New permanent housing units, parking lots and a hotel in the downtown offer the promises of revitalizing the district and bringing more people to local businesses, some officials say. "It's going to be huge for downtown," Liz Parham, executive director of the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, said of the addition of recent development projects to the downtown sector.

News

Businesses move out, in, up

By Meredith Miller | April 28

The local business community saw its fair share of change this year. The issue of turnover is a common one for the downtown business community, and this year was no different. "The changes have been good," said Liz Parham, the executive director of the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership. Besides the perennial shift in eateries, the downtown welcomed a new children's museum called Kidzu. The museum opened in early March at 105 E. Franklin St., the former home of the Laughing Turtle Home store.

News

East End owners play waiting game

By Meredith Miller | April 26

The owners of the East End martini bar still are waiting on approval to open up their new nightclub, though they have settled on a name. Uptown was planned to open last weekend at the former spot of Hector's, at 201 E. Franklin St., which closed in February to make way for East End's expansion. But the opening has been delayed because of confusion concerning a town fire ordinance. Co-owner Craig LaMontagne said he recently discovered that he will have to install a sprinkler system in the club space, which will cost about $75,000, according to estimates.

News

Hector's Grills slated to refire during break

By Meredith Miller | March 10

While many students are away for the week, a longtime eatery will bring its signature gyros back to Franklin Street. Hector's, which closed last month to make way for East End Martini Bar's new nightclub at 201 E. Franklin St., is expected to resume its operations by Wednesday at 108 Henderson St. "It's a little bit nicer than the old Hector's," co-owner Jos

News

Health services in peril

By Meredith Miller | January 23

Hundreds of people in Orange County and thousands statewide are waiting to hear about the fate of community-based services, which provide support for people with developmental disabilities, mental illnesses and substance-abuse issues. Among them is John Richardson of Chapel Hill, father of 41-year-old Douglas, who has high-functioning autism. Douglas Richardson lives alone, and CBS helps to pay a case worker to come to his home once a week to help him with his needs, such as making doctor's appointments, balancing his checkbook and going to the store.

Meredith Miller

Town to address problems of panhandling, gangs

Lots of development in store

Businesses move out, in, up

East End owners play waiting game

Hector's Grills slated to refire during break

Health services in peril

More articles »