CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) – Following months of debate and speculation, leadership for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is favoring the idea of building a new arena for the men’s basketball program at an off-campus site, according to a report from Inside Carolina on Thursday.
The outlet reports that UNC administrators are leaning towards constructing the new basketball facility at the Carolina North location, which is approximately two miles north of the main campus. The potential site is at the northwest corner of Martin Luther King. Jr. Boulevard and Estes Drive in Chapel Hill—the same place that Horace Williams Airport was based prior to its closure in May 2018.
University officials have long discussed the possibility of renovating or replacing the Dean E. Smith Center, which was finished in 1986.
In a final report from the “Physical Master Plan Working Group” that was presented to officials in August 2024, several infrastructure and capital projects were analyzed, including future plans for the Smith Center.
“The Smith Center discussion centered on various repair or replacement options aimed at ensuring the future success of Carolina basketball while maximizing what it provides for the university community and Carolina athletics,” the report stated.
According to the report, an arena committee has been working with “multiple consultants over the past six months” to study and evaluate different options.
“Committee work has included analysis of costs, future earnings, site conditions and stakeholder input,” the report said. “The Smith Center discussion centered on eight options that would create a dynamic environment that supports the planned athletic uses in an economically sustainable fashion.”
Six studies were conducted in total—two for off-campus sites, two for on-campus sites, and two that would utilize the current Smith Center location on Skipper Bowles Drive. All sites would be able to fit a 16,000-seat arena, according to the report’s takeaways, and be able to accommodate cars leaving the locations within 60 minutes “without development of new roadways,” although a footnote acknowledges further study of traffic impacts is needed.
For the two on-campus sites, the report said existing parking lots and garages would be sufficient. Meanwhile, the studies found the “mixed-use program can be accommodated” for both off-campus locations, working under the assumption that “the University will provide bus transit for on-campus students for each game (3,000 max per game).”
The potential sites that were studied and notes from the report are listed below:
Bowles Parking Lot (on-campus)
- The site would need a “non-traditional training layout”
- An existing 40″ storm sewer and “campus-wide chilled water line” on-site would need to be addressed
- 620 parking spaces would need to be replaced
Odum Village (on-campus)
- The site conflicts with the campus’ current master plan land use (academic, research, and ecological restoration)
Friday Center (off-campus)
- The site is not within a “safe walking distance from campus”
- Structured parking would need to be built for the arena and mixed-use needs
- Everything currently on site would need to be relocated
Carolina North (off-campus)
- The site is not within a “safe walking distance from campus”
- More study of the utility infrastructure of the location is needed to “quantify costs and schedule”
Dean Center Renovation and Dean Center Replacement (existing site)
- Both plans would require the men’s basketball team to play elsewhere during construction
- Both plans would require the construction of a new natatorium to house a training facility for both the men’s and women’s teams
According to the report, the next steps include finalizing a decision “resulting from ongoing committee work” and creating a plan to communicate it to stakeholders and the public.
“Should the Smith Center site become available, proactive planning for site development should be started immediately,” the report said.
While nothing is final, many current UNC students told CBS 17 they’re not happy about the idea.
“It’s definitely disappointing,” student Bryce Jones said. “I got a lot of memories in the Dean Dome, a lot of games. If the arena potentially moves off campus, it won’t feel as much home. It’ll just be funneling investors and what not. It’s another way to make money.”
Said student Mekhi Ashford, “I guess if they’re trying to upgrade, that’s cool and all, but I kind of like the ambiance of just being able to walk straight to the basketball game if you live on campus. It kind of just helps with the vibe of being on campus and living on campus.
“It’s kind of a bummer in my opinion just because [the current area] is historic and just fun to have everything right here,” he continued. “Long live the Dean Dome. That’s all I have to say.”
Student Arrigga Hao said, “I think it’d be a lot less home. I think the biggest struggle would be you wouldn’t be able to walk and have a basketball game right in your backyard. You’d have to take a bus.”