Chapel Hill Officials Prep for Final Four Frenzy

UNC plays Kansas University in one semifinal game Saturday night. The winner will play the winner of the UCLA-Memphis semifinal for the title next Monday night.

Chapel Hill police said they plan to close part of downtown if UNC wins. The area affected would be Franklin Street from Raleigh to Mallette streets and Columbia Street from Cameron Avenue to Rosemary Street.

Parking meters on the 100 block of East Franklin Street, all of Henderson Street and North Columbia Street will be bagged for no parking, starting at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Vehicles parked on these streets will be towed, starting at 7 p.m.

Police asked merchants to restrict the sale of Carolina blue paint for the next week, to secure or remove awnings and outdoor signs to minimize damage and to lock all doors providing rooftop access to keep people off building roofs.

Bars and restaurants that serve alcohol were asked to use only paper or plastic cups – or bulk sales in cans – to keep glass out of the restricted area. No alcohol will be allowed outdoors in the area, officers said.