Pittsboro and Chatham County sign on for joint downtown predevelopment study; Bolton & Mank hired

PITTSBORO, N.C. — The Town of Pittsboro on May 12 authorized an interlocal agreement with Chatham County and awarded a contract to Bolton & Mank (with subconsultants) to complete a three-phase predevelopment analysis of multiple publicly owned parcels in downtown Pittsboro.

Town staff described the parcels as "transformative" downtown sites equivalent to several city blocks and said the study will address market demand, site due diligence (including zoning and environmental constraints), and a delivery strategy for potential public-private development or ground-lease scenarios. The study scope presented to the board includes market analysis, site capacity assessments and a strategy to solicit and evaluate development partners.

The board approved three connected actions: authorization of the interlocal agreement with Chatham County to pursue joint predevelopment work; execution of the contract with Bolton & Mank to carry out the study; and a budget amendment reflecting county participation in the project. Meeting discussion indicated the total predevelopment budget discussed was approximately $150,000, with a reported 50/50 cost share (town $75,000, county $75,000). Staff said the town would initially pay invoices and be reimbursed by the county.

Grama Yaggi, principal with Bolton & Mank (presenting for the consultant team), said the team includes a market analyst and an architect and that the work plan assumes an eight-month schedule but can be accelerated or slowed depending on the town and county's desired pace. The study will include outreach to downtown stakeholders, property owners and business owners and produce deliverables intended to support an eventual request-for-development (RFD) or other delivery approach aimed at matching the town's goals with appropriate private partners.

Commissioners asked how ownership strategies might influence outcomes. Consultant and project advisers said there is no single predetermined ownership approach: options include long-term public ownership with ground leases to private developers, partial public ownership for public uses (affordable housing, public realm), or full disposition where appropriate. Staff emphasized that different parcels could carry different ownership strategies depending on town objectives such as affordable-housing preservation, public realm improvements or economic development.

The board voted to proceed with the ILA, contract and budget amendment by voice vote. Staff will begin Phase 1 (market analysis) and return regular updates to the board and county; a municipal staff lead was identified and the town's finance office will record county reimbursements.

Ending: Bolton & Mank will begin the market analysis and staff expect public engagement as part of the process; a timeline presented by the consultant estimated roughly eight months for the full predevelopment analysis.