UNC plans major Carolina North expansion as possible enrollment grows by 5,000 students

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- The competition is heating up for Carolina North, a major campus expansion planned for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The former Horace Williams Airport property on Estes Drive is in the spotlight as the university anticipates a 5,000 student increase in undergraduate enrollment over the next decade.

"The interest is quite significant," UNC Executive Director for Real Estate Development Tiffany Lacey said. "It is a great opportunity."

More than 150 firms have expressed interest in designing the physical site on an $8 million budget, and 70 firms have expressed interest in handling branding for the project - shaping how it will feel and function as a social hub.

Although the planning process is still in its early stages, officials plan to break ground on the first phase of the project this summer. That phase includes thousands of student beds, graduate housing, research facilities and mixed use space.

"I feel like more housing would be good," UNC student Lucy Brown said.

Student housing is top of mind, along with speculation about whether the project could include a new Dean Dome. But some Tar Heels say they want the arena to stay on South Campus.

"I think it should stay there," Harrison Hoffman said.

According to the project timeline, officials hope to select the design and branding teams before the Board of Trustees meets in May.