CVS pharmacy is in the process of buying properties in downtown Carrboro across from Weaver Street Market to potentially build a two-story building. This building would house a retail tenant (presumably CVS) on the first floor and office space and/or apartments on the second floor.
In June, Weaver Street Market sold the property on the corner of North Greensboro and Weaver streets (where WCOM and Community Realty used to be) and 104 Center St. The house on 104 Center St. is an historic Mill House built around 1910. This house will most likely be torn down in the near future. The developer working for CVS is working to buy other properties on that same downtown block.
This development is obviously of great interest to everyone who lives in Carrboro, since the corner of Weaver and Greensboro streets is the gateway to the rest of our community and a critical component to a vibrant Carrboro of the future. Whatever happens next on this corner will be precedent setting for the rest of downtown. I am very interested because I live on Center Street right across from this potential project.
The residents of Center Street and some from Oak Avenue have been meeting to talk about this issue. Like everyone, we are concerned about traffic, noise, light pollution, truck deliveries, etc. that might come with a potential 24-hour CVS. Everyone realizes that Carrboro is looking to increase its commercial tax base. However, we think that the town of Carrboro and potential developers must carefully craft this project so it keeps Center Street a safe and quiet residential street, compliments the character of downtown Carrboro and minimizes traffic problems at that critical intersection.
We ask the town to engage in a transparent, collaborative process throughout all phases of development for this block. We also think it is important that the residents of the town are fully informed about this important development. There are still many zoning and permit issues to work through in this project and the public will likely have the opportunity to have input on these issues. This development is the subject of a Carrboro Board of Aldermen’s Nov. 9 work session at 7:30 p.m. The public can attend this meeting, but they will not take public comments. Come to the meeting if you are interested in the future of downtown Carrboro.
For more information, contact me at CenterOfCarrboro@gmail.com
Jeff Herrick
Carrboro