Down on the east end of Franklin Street under the post office, there is a small area with a billiards table, a non-alcoholic bar and a music room. It's called Street Scene, and it's an official teenage hangout -- the only one for several miles around.

The space is small and not very well known. In an area that is growing so fast and creating crowded high schools, there is a need for more places where teenagers can go to socialize.

The criteria for such a place need to be established, though. The most important is that it must be safe. If the area is not safe, then many parents will not feel comfortable letting their teens go there to relax.

The second should be that it doesn't encourage "cliques" among teenagers or accept discrimination on any level. Discrimination can come in subtle shades; a teenage hangout, for example, shouldn't discriminate on the basis of income by charging outrageous fees.

A teenage place has to offer more than a couch and a television; it should provide activities that spark creativity and physical activity. In addition, the place should be easily accessible by public transportation and provide handicapped access.

Many places where teenagers hang out fill only one or two of the above criteria, such as a movie theater or the mall. Even less appropriate are certain clubs that allow people under 18 inside but still have a bar with alcoholic beverages and adults with more-than-questionable intentions. These places can coerce the malleable mind of a teenager into less-than-healthy habits.

Activities a healthy teenage hangout might offer include: an area outside with basketball hoops and other recreation equipment; an indoor area with a room for quiet activities such as reading and art; perhaps a large room for music and/or dance; and a small kitchen area with a non-alcoholic bar.

The mood of the place should be relaxed and protected, and the focus should be on teenagers, not on adults. Adults should have a presence, but only as mentors the teenagers can seek for advice.

I believe it is the responsibility of the community to create safe places for teens to socialize. I challenge the local government, in conjunction with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school administration, to begin a dialogue on the creation of such a place.

The PTA and the student governments would be great partners in this project, along with some local participation such as the Chamber of Commerce. A group of volunteers could even be formed specifically for this project. There are many possible spaces available for such a project. With good teamwork we can build a teen-friendly community.