The following is a copy of the letter sent from the CBA Leadership Council to the Carrboro Town Council regarding the 203 Project Construction Process

Hello Carrboro Town Council,

The Carrboro Business Alliance (CBA) Leadership Council greatly appreciates the time that Ben Schmadeke spent with us Tuesday morning outlining the early phase of the 203 project. The presentation Ben provided sparked an engaging discussion on how the project will be affecting our community and its local small businesses during the construction process.

During the presentation, some concerning details emerged of which we were not previously aware, most especially the decision to reduce Roberson Street to one lane and expand the site into the right of way.

These two actions limit/eliminate the option for businesses to effectively receive goods for their businesses that are along Roberson St. and South Greensboro (Open Eye, Neils Deli, etc.) – and - create more traffic congestion by limiting options for motorist to choose their route and avoid busy intersections.

To address those concerns, we present to you the following suggestions that can help alleviate stress to local businesses and keep visitors interested in traveling to Carrboro during the construction process:

1. Keep the construction fence out of the right of way for the majority of the build and keep Roberson St a two-lane road.
2. Set up an initial onsite meeting along with proactive communication system from project leaders at Barnhill, Town of Carrboro, and the CBA
3. Provide way finding signs North and South of the site along Greensboro Street to alert commuters of new traffic patterns
4. Request a traffic light survey from the NCDOT to help alleviate traffic congestion that has increased since the restriping of Main Street and will continue through the construction process
5. Offer public notifications of job opening from Barnhill for local construction workers needed, including OSHA-10 certified workers who are available and ready to work in Carrboro. Erik Valera of El Centro Hispano (cc’ed) is happy to help make connections.

Thank you for taking time to hear praise for Ben and considering our concerns as the 203 Project begins. As the project continues over the next two years, I am available to meet with the town's project managers and representatives from Barnhill on behalf of the CBA to discuss the next phases of construction, possible concerns and report back to our council.

Thanks,

Josh Moorhead
Chair, Carrboro Business Alliance
Cc’ed: CBA Leadership Council

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