GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
By Tyria Bourda
Correspondent
Development continues to reshape communities across Orange County, bringing new housing, expanding local services and creating opportunities for residents. Recent projects include the expansion of senior retirement communities, new restaurant openings and nonprofit-led efforts to increase access to housing and strengthen neighborhoods.
The Orange County Board of County Commissioners also moves forward with the county’s Crisis Diversion Facility, which is designed to provide behavioral health crisis and stabilization services while reducing reliance on emergency departments and law enforcement. Construction began in August 2026, marking another step in the county’s efforts to expand community-based behavioral health services.
Orange County Development
Crisis Diversion Facility
Projected for completion by winter 2028, Orange County is on the verge of unveiling a new Crisis Diversion Facility. It has been officially renamed Jamezetta Bedford Crisis Care Center, honoring the late commissioner and her eight years of service to Orange County. The facility aims to enhance behavioral health services and strengthen the local continuum of care.
On June 16, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners approved the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the construction project. Development of the crisis diversion facility has been underway since 2019, reflecting Orange County’s efforts to improve access to behavioral health crisis services.
Upon completion, the facility will feature a Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) unit serving individuals ages 4 and older, along with a 16-bed Facility-Based Crisis (FBC) unit for adults ages 18 and older who require extended stabilization. The facility will include a community peer living room, integrated discharge services and a hub for behavioral health resources.
“This approval represents a major step forward in Orange County’s efforts to provide accessible crisis and stabilization behavioral health services,” said Jean Hamilton, chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners. “The crisis diversion facility will help connect residents experiencing mental health and substance use crises with the care they need in a therapeutic setting, reducing reliance on emergency departments and law enforcement responses.”
The crisis diversion facility is expected to offer a safe, therapeutic, and supportive environment for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. It will serve as a key component of Orange County’s comprehensive behavioral health framework. This facility will help reduce the burden on hospitals, the detention center, first responders, and other community response systems.
EMPOWERment Inc Celebrates 30 Years
Local housing nonprofit EMPOWERment Inc. is marking 30 years of service by helping Orange County residents secure affordable housing.
Founded in 1996, the organization emerged in response to a recognized gap in communication and community services within neighborhoods such as Northside, Pine Knolls, Carr Court, and Lloyd Street. Two UNC students observed the various challenges facing the community, including rising housing costs, political and economic marginalization, substandard housing conditions, and low income levels—issues that mirrored larger national disparities.
EMPOWERment was established to improve access to affordable, quality housing while supporting the individuals and communities it serves. Its mission is to “empower individuals and communities to achieve their destiny through community organizing, affordable housing, and grassroots economic development.”
Executive Director Delores Bailey expressed her gratitude to TLR for the nonprofit’s 30-year milestone. Bailey has been with the organization since 2002 and remains dedicated to the community and to advocating for affordable housing.
She shared a success story that exemplifies the nonprofit’s efforts. In 2004, the organization established the Northside Neighborhood Conservation District, a zoning overlay that protected the Northside neighborhood and the Pine Knolls community from encroaching development.
The planning process required a collective effort, with approximately 21 individuals collaborating for about 18 months to develop the overlay zone. Bailey said that this initiative was crucial for Northside, as more permits were being issued there than anywhere else in Chapel Hill. Developers viewed the small community as low-income, leading some homeowners to sell their properties for minimal amounts.
As a result of the Northside initiative, an additional five or six communities throughout Chapel Hill adopted the zoning tool to protect their interests.
During a discussion about the nonprofit’s 30th anniversary, Leah Adeniji, the deputy director of EMPOWERment, said that her two-year tenure alongside Bailey has been a privilege. She expressed her pride in being part of the milestone.
“It has been a privilege to work alongside Bailey and our dedicated team to serve the people of Orange County. As we celebrate 30 years of EMPOWERment’s impact, I look forward to continuing to build on this legacy and help create opportunities that change lives for years to come. There is still so much work to do.” Adeniji said.
“Being able to serve as we have and to continue to serve has been an honor. We know we have done some things that changed lives in a positive way. We’ve kept people from slipping down a hole. I am grateful for what all the work has meant for our community. I would not want to imagine what this community would look like if empowerment was not here,” said Bailey.
The nonprofit will be hosting its 30th Anniversary Gala and Fundraiser celebrating continued community impact on September 19th.
Doors open at 6:30PM. For more information, visit https://www.
Carol Woods Expanding Retirement Community
Carol Woods, a nonprofit retirement community in Chapel Hill, has developed a long-term master plan to construct more than 330 units and is pursuing a conditional zoning permit for taller buildings.
According to county officials, this master plan provides flexibility as the campus, established in 1979, expands and modernizes in the coming years. The initial phase, which will take place on eight acres south of the main campus at 719 Weaver Dairy Road, calls for 60 independent-living carriage homes across five buildings, each three to four stories high.
Future developments may replace 74 one-story cottages on the main campus with 274 new units, resulting in a total of 30 new buildings throughout the campus. However, this aspect of the plan is contingent on resident demand, financial and market conditions, and other variables, as outlined in the proposal.
Marianne Ratcliffe, president and CEO of Carol Woods, mentioned in an email statement to TLR that she wants residents and neighbors to understand that this planning effort is fundamentally about stewardship. Carol Woods has served older adults in Chapel Hill for nearly 50 years. The goal, she said, is not to change what makes Carol Woods special.
“Our goal is to preserve the community’s strengths while planning thoughtfully and responsibly for future generations. The master plan reflects possibilities that could unfold over approximately 20 years, and future decisions will depend on resident needs, financial stewardship, community input, and changing conditions. Thoughtful growth and preservation are not competing goals for us. We believe they can go hand in hand,” Ratcliffe said.
Currently, the retirement community provides 119 health-care units and 314 one-story independent living cottages and apartments within two- to four-story buildings, serving approximately 485 residents, around 400 of whom live independently.
The nonprofit has 485 residents, and with Orange County’s growing older adult population, Carol Woods provides one option within the continuum of housing and services available to older adults.
Ratcliffe added that the master plan would allow Carol Woods to gradually expand its capacity over time, helping meet demand from older adults seeking a community that offers independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing care, and the Early Acceptance program. The program allows older adults to establish a relationship with Carol Woods while continuing to live in their current homes.
Regarding affordability, while the nonprofit does not provide affordable housing, it does offer financial assistance. Nearly one-third of its independent living residences are studios or one-bedroom homes under 700 square feet.
“The nonprofit maintains a Resident Assistance Fund that supports residents who experience financial hardship after joining the community. The number of residents receiving direct assistance changes over time as individual circumstances change. More broadly, approximately 17% of residents were admitted through our Broadened Financial Guidelines program, which expands access to individuals who may not meet our standard financial qualifications,” Ratcliffe said.
Food
Merritt’s Grill Opens Second Location
Merritt’s Grill has opened at the Finley Golf Course Clubhouse. Situated at 500 Finley Golf Course Road in Chapel Hill, this new restaurant opened in late July 2026 and continues to offer its beloved menu, known for its comforting Southern-style breakfast, lunch, and signature BLTs.
Merritt’s Grill has been part of the Chapel Hill community since 1992. John Toogood, part-owner of Merritt’s, emphasized that maintaining consistent quality and providing genuine Southern hospitality is what truly matters.
To maintain consistency between Merritt’s original and new location, General Manager Kyle Potter said that the restaurant wants all team members to continue training at the original location. This approach not only preserves the traditional Merritt’s atmosphere but also helps bring that experience to the Finley location.
“It’s important to keep that sentimental value and the great company of service. I preached to our team about nailing the 3 Fs: fast, fresh, and friendly. The goal is to maintain the same pace and friendliness at the original location and bring it to Finley,” Potter said.
The new location can accommodate about 60 guests indoors, while the original has indoor seating for about 20 people and 50 outdoor seats. Additionally, the clubhouse provides extra seating options on the patio and in various outdoor areas. John Toogood informed TLR that this new location features more air conditioning, indoor seating, and covered areas than the previous one ever did. Additionally, the space allows the restaurant to consider dinner service and extend Sunday hours.
Toogood also mentioned that he and his team intend to provide the space for rent, catering, and events, and they would be delighted to serve their customers. Additionally, they have introduced buffet-style catering, which they have previously offered.
“ These changes give many of our employees an opportunity to move up, become managers, and earn more hours. That gives more opportunities for all of our staff,” John said.
New businesses at University Place
- Barnes & Noble – Fall 2026
- Bliss Nail Spa – opened mid-spring 2026
- Five Guys – Spring 2027
- Homesense – Spring 2027
- Postino Wine Cafe – Fall 2026
Tyria McCray-Bourda is a story-driven journalist whose work has previously appeared in The Carolinian newspaper in Raleigh. Attaining a bachelor’s degree in communication from Southern New Hampshire University, she has the distinction of having interviewed President Joe Biden when he was a candidate on the campaign trail, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris. This reporter can be reached at: Information@TheLocalReporter.press
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