Downtown Chapel Hill is cleaner, greener, and more inviting with new Block by Block team services. Learn about current improvements and future plans for a more vibrant district along with sending us your hopes for downtown Chapel Hill.
Making Downtown Chapel Hill Cleaner, Greener, and More Vibrant
As we navigate changing priorities and responsibilities, the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership has solidified its focus on three items: cleanliness, safety, and vibrancy. This ongoing transformation will require robust collaboration between the Town, University, and private partners, but the changes are already underway.
Enhanced Clean and Green Services
We've partnered with Block by Block, a leading downtown management company with proven success in communities nationwide, to elevate the Downtown Partnership’s clean and green services program. Leading the local team is operations manager Ozetar "Oz" Gaskin – a Chapel Hill native who brings deep community roots to the work.
Block by Block's team of Cleaning Ambassadors provides daily cleaning services while also serving as a public information resource to district visitors, merchants, workers, shoppers, students, and residents.
If you've walked through downtown recently, you've probably noticed the difference. Cleaner sidewalks, well-maintained landscaping, and increased visibility through regular patrols are just the beginning of these enhanced services. We'll continue to partner with Block by Block on additional improvements to the downtown district while also investing in improved lighting and safety enhancements.
Looking Ahead
Our vision extends beyond daily cleanliness and safety reporting. Future plans that are in development could include:
- Upgraded landscaping and streetscape maintenance
- Increased Ambassador programs to welcome and assist guests
- Storefront improvement initiatives
- More Placemaking: New gathering spaces and community destinations
These improvements will take time and additional funding, but we're committed to making downtown Chapel Hill a destination that serves everyone who lives, works, and visits here.