Celebrate Car Free Day by supporting a train stop in Hillsborough!

On September 22, 2007, somewhere around 10:10 A.M., Amtrak's Train number 80, the Carolinian, will run through Hillsborough. The train won't stop, but Orange County residents will be there encouraging local and state governments to add an Amtrak stop in Hillsborough in celebration of international Car Free Day.

Members of The Village Project and the Walkable Hillsborough Coalition will hold an event beginning around 9:50 A.M. on Saturday the 22nd to highlight the need for Amtrak service for Hillsborough and Orange County. The event will be held at the corner of Eno and South Nash Streets in Hillsborough, in view of the railroad tracks (opposite the former Flynt Mill).

Check out www.gocarfree.com for more details. See you there!

Local Coalition gives voice to sustainability

The Village Project has partnered with a diverse group of local groups to form a coalition that focuses on the three aspects of sustainability: environmental, economic and social equity. The Coalition will present our vision statement to the Orange County Commissioners tonight at the public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan at 7:30 PM in the Gordon Battle Courtroom, 106 E. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough.

See the Herald-Sun article for a news report (registration may be required).

The sustainability of the Carrboro Greenspace includes more than the environmental aspect

Members of The Village Project weigh in to the online discussion surrounding the Carrboro Greenspace, an undeveloped 10.5 acre plot of land near the heart of Carrboro. The imminent sale of the land has sparked a community debate on how the land should be used. The Village Project believes that the three aspects of sustainability - economic, social, and environmental - should be addressed with any new development of the land.

Carolina North Forum: A discussion between the town and the university

James Carnahan, board member of The Village Project, discussed the Carolina North project and how it could affect the surrounding towns in a Forum between town and university officials on April 18, 2007. Listen to the podcast.

Ensuring an ecologically sustainable future for Orange County

Orange County is in the process of updating the Comprehensive Plan, which helps to guide growth and development within in the county for the next 20 years. The Village Project has produced a perspective statement that articulates our organization's principles, goals and strategies for ensuring that when growth takes place, the outcome will be a built environment that is ecologically, socially & economically sustainable.

Mass Transit Myopia

Blair Pollock of the Village Project reflects on the state of mass transit in the Triangle and questions why the UNC plans for Carolina North are not taking advantage of the existing rail line, in his article published in the Chapel Hill News.

The Village Project will be at the Community Forum on Carolina North - Mon, June 4

Neighborhoods for Responsible Growth is hosting a community forum on Carolina North at the Chapel Hill Town Chamber at 7pm. Forum topics will include a review of the most recent developments concerning this satellite campus, and what these might mean for the towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and the wider community. James Carnahan, of the Village Project, will be a panelist. Go here for more information.

Walkable Hillsborough Day is June 2, 2007

The Town of Hillsborough and the Walkable Hillsborough Coalition are sponsoring the 6th annual Walkable Hillsborough Day this Saturday, June 2, 2007. See this flyer for more information.

The Village Project to table at the Green Tour Kickoff 2007

The Village Project will be tabling at the Green Home Tour kickoff event at the Carrboro Century Center at 100 N. Greensboro Street on May 19, 2007 from 9am - noon. Come see our designs and talk to our board members!

At the Green Home Tour kickoff, you'll be able to hear speakers, view displays, and ask questions of green building experts. Stay for as much as you'd like. Check out the displays, pick up a tour book, then visit the homes. See www.hbadoc.com for more complete schedule information.

Local family takes the Carbon Challenge

The NPR and National Geographic series on Climate Connections featured a local Orange County family who are taking steps to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions. See http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9979875 for the story.

The series on climate change can be found at http://www.npr.org/climate

Economist: The World Goes to Town

From The Economist print edition (May 03, 2007)
After this year the majority of people will live in cities. Human history will ever more emphatically become urban history, says John Grimond.
http://www.economist.com/surveys/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9070726

The Village Project Featured on TreeHugger.com!

Read "Smart Folks Championing Smart Growth" posted on 04.09.2007

The Village Project Responds to March 2007 Plans for Carolina North (04.24.2007)

UNC presented three plans for Carolina North and The Village Project believes the "Centers" plan is the best of the three. Find out why ...