Town of Chapel Hill, NC
Home MenuCoal Ash at 828 Site
Address: 828 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Current use: Chapel Hill Police Headquarters
Site conditions: coal ash and construction debris buried and exposed on the property (see below for more information)
The Town of Chapel Hill is considering a redevelopment plan for Town-owned land at 828 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., the current site of the Chapel Hill Police Department headquarters.
This was the site of coal ash and construction debris infill that dates from the 1960s and 1970s, before the Town took ownership of the property through eminent domain. When the Town discovered the materials in late 2013, we acted quickly to notify the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ--named NC DENR at the time). We are committed to following all environmental laws and standards to ensure the health and safety of our community.
Current Updates
On April 15, the Town entered into a Brownfields Agreement with the NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The agreement gives us a starting point for what we can do at the site. Our next steps include staff, Council, and community input about the future of the property. Visit this page to learn more and provide input.
Since the discovery of coal ash at this site in 2013, the Town has taken numerous steps, including site assessments and environmental studies. All of those, and many other associated documents, can be found in the accordion labeled "Data and Information" below.
Past Updates
- On September 18, 2024, the NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) held a public meeting at the Chapel Hill Public Library to share information and receive comments on a draft Brownfields Agreement.
- On September 13, 2023, Council adopted a resolution authorizing the Town Manager to proceed with leasing space for the Police Department while staff continues working with the State Brownfields program for 828 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
- As of August 2023, staff continues to work with NC DEQ on a potential Brownfields agreement. Once a draft agreement is finalized, more information about timing of next steps will be available.
Recent Steps
At its March 8, 2023, meeting, Chapel Hill Town Council authorized Town staff to have a concept plan developed for the site and to fund any current costs with general funds, which will be later reimbursed by bond funds. A concept plan is a first draft of a development that could be built on the site.
***The following video has been edited for time and is not the official record. The full, unedited video--including public comment--can be viewed at chapelhill.granicus.com/player/clip/6314?meta_id=277452.