As we all know, the Horace Williams site is by far the largest remaining undeveloped tract of land in Chapel Hill. It offers the town and the university a truly unique opportunity to shape a future for Chapel Hill, which simultaneously allows us to address a number of the current challenges we are facing, while at the same time creating a crucible for innovation similar to the Stanford/Palo Alto model. (n.b. my alma mater Harvard has recently broken ground in Boston for a similar plan). There is a very real prospect that a combination of academic research at UNC and development of that technology through collaboration with business innovators will lead to solutions to many of the vexing issues facing us today. This is not “pie in the sky”. One of many examples that are occurring as we debate is the field testing of break-through solar technology developed by several UNC scientists. When this technology is broadly implemented it could have a profound effect on reducing hydrocarbon based electricity throughout the world, a goal held dear in Chapel Hill. Indeed it could significantly accelerate progress toward our goal of reducing carbon emissions sixty percent by 2050.

If Carolina North could be built with no impact on the Town it is hard to see what basis there would be for debate – but of course it can’t. We all understand very clearly that it will have an impact on Chapel Hill overall and most particularly the neighborhoods in closest proximity. We have two noble objectives – to create an innovation center that can contribute to solving some of the most intractable issues confronting the world – while preserving all that we love about Chapel Hill and our own neighborhoods. Ultimately there must be compromises but if we start with a clear and mutual recognition of each set of goals – and build trust – we can create an end result which comes closest to achieving both sets of goals. Continuing to build and sustain trust through the course of such a vast project will take enormous and careful effort but if there is anywhere it can be accomplished it should be Chapel Hill with its great heritage of tolerance and inclusiveness.

The candidates who are elected for town council this year will play a critical role in whether we are able to proceed with discussions regarding Carolina North on a trusting and collaborative basis. If we fail we will have only ourselves to blame.