Chapel Hill is expanding outdoor dining, pedestrian zones onto Franklin Street

Posted Aug 1, 2020
Parts of Chapel Hill's Franklin Street will open up for walking and outdoor dining as the town shuts down a lane on each side of the road, town leaders said. Town leaders hope partially closing UNC’s main thoroughfare will boost business on Franklin Street after UNC sent its students home in March — and allow for more social distancing for pedestrians on sidewalks. (Raleigh News & Observer)

Related: Campus Connections

Savannah Bananas take on the Texas Tailgaters — and take over Chapel Hill
As early as Monday, April 6, a navy tractor trailer adorned with a bright yellow banana holding a bat screeched to a halt onto the...
Tue Apr 21, 2026

Carolina’s history comes to life on Instagram
One post shows what’s believed to be the oldest existing photo of UNC, a daguerreotype of sophomores from the 1850s. Another, posted on the first...
Sun Apr 19, 2026

Kenan Stadium: From football field to baseball diamond
The Savannah Bananas sold out Kenan Stadium twice in one weekend, bringing the team’s barnstorming version of baseball to Carolina’s 99-year-old flagship venue. But before...
Sat Apr 18, 2026

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Openings, Closings and Updates in October-December 2025
The fall marked several Eastgate Crossing shopping center tenants reopening in Chapel Hill after restoration from July’s Tropical Depression Chantal rain and flooding. On October...
Fri Apr 17, 2026