Chapel Hill will open new downtown police substation on West Franklin St.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Town of Chapel Hill is opening a new downtown police substation.

Located at 306 West Franklin Street, the substation is set to open in early March, complementing the substation on East Franklin in the post office building. This new location will serve as a place where people can speak with police staff, file a report, or connect with resources.

It will also be home to units that focus on downtown safety, including the Downtown Patrol Unit and CARE (Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement) team.

Chapel Hill Police Chief Celisa Lehew said the opening of the new location reflects the Town's commitment to engaging with downtown stakeholders and acting in response to what they hear.

"I, along with our downtown officers and my colleagues on the Town's Economic Development team, frequently walk the downtown corridor to talk with business owners, residents, and visitors," she said. "This substation arose from those conversations, and it will create another place for that ongoing engagement to take place."

The Town worked with Longfellow Real Estate Partners to move into the substation space.