June 10, 2004

Dear Mayor Foy and Council members,

The Downtown Commission commends the Chapel Hill Town Council for moving forward with many exciting plans for revitalizing and renewing Downtown, including the redevelopment of Parking Lots 2 and 5 and the new Downtown Economic Development Corporation.

For years, the Downtown Commission has called attention to the need for economic development Downtown and has put its resources, as limited as they were, toward that goal. Over the last few months, I have enjoyed working with my fellow downtown business and property owners, the mayor, the town manager and university representatives to make this new economic development organization a reality.

The Downtown Commission endorsed the dedication of the Downtown Service District tax for the use of this new organization. The Board now also endorses two of the applicants before you to represent Downtown business and property owners.

The Downtown Commission’s endorsements were based on the applicants who had applied as of Wednesday, June 9, 2004. Through the endorsement process, the Board’s goal was to recommend well-rounded individuals who would have both new energy and experience and who would represent all facets of Downtown.

Mickey Ewell is a business owner of Spanky’s and 411 West and also owns the 411 West property. The Board feels that, with 30 years Downtown, Mickey would bring a historical perspective and depth of experience that would enhance the new organization. He also would effectively articulate Franklin Street concerns.

Tom Tucker is a business owner of Carolina Car Wash and owns the Rosemary Village mixed-use development property. The Board feels that Tom would bring a youthful, energetic presence to the new organization’s board and that he would well represent the Rosemary Street concerns.

We hope you will consider these recommendations, which we arrived at after a thoughtful and lengthy debate.

The Downtown Commission looks forward to working cooperatively with the Town Council and the new Downtown Economic Development Corporation to build a successful Downtown Chapel Hill.

Sincerely,

Charles House

Chair, Board of Directors