Demolition, site work and new construction of a water / sewer project in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Conceptual plans call for the demolition of a water / sewer project; and for the construction of a water / sewer project.

The Northeast District Park Dam has been assessed by a contracted Dam Engineer. During the assessment, the engineer determined the dam was in poor condition. The principal (main) spillway (conduit that allows excess water to flow through the dam) is 99% blocked, and the auxiliary (secondary) spillway was completely blocked until emergency actions during Tropical Storm Debby had to be taken. The dam has substantial damage from root intrusion from trees and vegetation growth on the dam. Seepage around the principal spillway pipe is uncontrolled and has caused significant erosion under the pipe. There is evidence that the dam has overtopped many times and the most recent overtopping in August compromised the structural integrity of the dam. The emergency measures in place at the dam, including a temporary siphon, sandbags, and a makeshift auxiliary spillway, are temporary measures that will require regular maintenance, putting a strain on staff resources and is not a long-term solution. Staff will need to monitor the dam very closely during large rain events and continue to maintain the lake at a lower water surface level. While failure is not eminent, repairs should be made a priority, or the lake should be drained to prevent further damage to the dam or a dam failure. The pond at Northeast District park is one of the main amenities in the park. The pond is used for catch and release fishing, and we hold some of our fishing programs at this pond. This pond is also the centerpiece of the heavily used paved walking trail located around the pond and the backdrop for our Peaceful Pathways area for caregivers at Northeast Park. So breaching the pond should not be an option. As of March 4, 2025, this project is included in the Chatham County Fiscal Year 2026-2032 CIP. Further information regarding a design firm and timeline for construction has not yet been established. Funding is allotted for FY 2026. As outlined in the official announcement, notable new undertakings include a full roof replacement at Siler City Elementary School and reconstruction of the dam at Northeast District Park to comprehensively tackle the problem of spillway blockages and root intrusions. These projects are respectively budgeted at an additional $3,850,000 and $1,285,000.