Gracie Webb - On changes to the neighborhood and the effects on senior community members

In the interview Mrs. Webb discusses her neighborhood and describes how the house that she grew up in was demolished by the state in order to build a road in its place. Her parents did not want to move but believed that if they refused the state’s offer their home would have been condemned; thus, they chose to get at least some money for the house by selling to the state. She describes recent break-ins in the neighborhood and also discusses the influx of student renters in the area. Mrs. Webb then goes on to discuss the Senior Center and her activities there. She also details community meetings held in the area, as well as confusion over whether or not her home is considered historic. She also discusses a community meeting at St. Paul’s, which she said went well overall. However she was not enthused about a proposed plan to convert the town into a block system, arguing that Chapel Hill is a town, not a big city. Mrs. Webb also discusses the fact that many of the elderly Black residents of her neighborhood are losing their homes, as they were not paid adequately when they were working, and now cannot afford their high taxes. Mrs. Webb also describes her time as a nursing assistant at the infirmary on campus, now called Campus Health.