By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
It’s been a tumultuous week for Greenbridge.
Late last week, Bank of America told developers of the 217,000-square-foot residential and commercial project that it would indefinitely postpone foreclosure plans, which were scheduled for this Monday. According to Tim Toben, one of the developers, three potential buyers have made an initial round of bids to purchase Greenbridge from the bank, which said in April that it would foreclose on the $58.5 million project.
“We expect this process could take 45 to 60 days, after which time we hope and expect a new owner will be in place,†Toben said.
He said he and other partners would lose their investments, but that he was “proud of this model green building and all that it will give to Chapel Hill and Carrboro in years to come.â€
Unfortunately for Greenbridge, some aren’t so enthused by the benefits of the project, and expressed their opposition in a protest on Saturday that has been described as a riot. The project has drawn criticism from some residents who have said the development has accelerated gentrification in the nearby historically black Northside neighborhood.
According to Lt. Kevin Gunter of the Chapel Hill Police, about 35 to 40 people assembled at the development around 2 p.m., with about 20 to 25 of those entering the lobby.
“The floors had been damaged with some silly foam spray and a couple of pieces of furniture had been broken,†Gunter said, adding that damages totaled about $3,400.
Police made three arrests: Brian Dingledine, 37, of 209 N. Graham St.; Karoline Knable, 25, of Durham; and Kyle Whisenant, 27, of Greensboro. All three were charged with damage to real property and damage to personal property. Dingledine was also charged with rioting, while Whisenant was charged with resisting arrest.