The annual ROW Membership Party was held October 10 at the Bellamy Mansion. Over a hundred members attended the ROW party, despite the threat of a tropical storm. The party was chaired by ROW Board Member Darla Hamby, who enlisted the help of Chris Robinson, standing beside Darla in the photo above. On the right are member helpers  Pam Gonzales and Pat Tarr.

New lights illuminate the Battleship USS North Carolina and its flag. They are now visible from downtown Wilmington at night. The funds for the lights were provided through a grant from Residents of Old Wilmington.

 

ROW awarded a grant to the Children's Museum for $2500. (Above)The check was presented to Jim Karl, the Museum's Director, by ROW President, Phoebe Bragg (on the left), Grant Chairperson, Margi Ericson, and Board members Ginger Garrard, Beverly Grasley and Darla Hamby. The grant from ROW was in support of renovation and expansion of “The Science of You”, a STEM exhibit.  The exhibit includes life size models, hands-on displays and virtual reality technology to allow children to explore how their bodies function and master concepts in life biology, basic chemistry and the physics of movement.

Residents in the Historic District will be impacted by decisions made by the City, County and State in the coming weeks, months and years that affect the quality of life downtown. These issues are monitored closely by ROW as explained below.

I.  The City Council has approved regulations for Home Stay Short Term rentals. Home Stays are rented rooms in homes where the owner lives on the premises. These new Home Stay regulations will become effective March 1, 2019:

The Council will address Whole House Short Term Rentals later in the year. ROW opposes Whole House STRs in residential neighborhoods. The City estimates that approximately 540 STRs (both Whole House and Home Stays) are operating within Wilmington. Investors who own Whole House STRs in residential neighborhoods want the code to be changed to allow their businesses in Residential Districts. If you want to voice your concerns about protecting the Residential Districts, email the City Council at:  Council@wilmington.gov

 

II. The Grace Street Project concerns the development of the downtown block containing the public library, owned by New Hanover County. County Commissioners are considering proposals for a public-private redevelopment of the block that could affect the library, the recently-built Story Book Park, a parking garage, the Register of Deeds building and an empty parcel bordering Grace Street. Moving the Cape Fear Museum to the site is also a possibility. Two public hearings revealed a strong opposition to the re-development, which could include adding apartments, condos and a hotel. The County Commissioners will vote on proposals submitted by developers sometime in 2018.

 

III. The Cape Fear Crossing Project concerns a new bridge between Brunswick and New Hanover Counties. Twelve proposal were initially introduced, but the two routes that would impact the Downtown Historic District have been eliminated. ROW favors the southernmost routes nearer the port area. The final decision rests with the State Transportation Department, and public hearings will be held before the proposed 2019 decision and proposed 2020 building date.

 

IV. The City has reviewed its brick street policy, held pubic meetings, and determined steps for improving the existing brick streets since many have been covered with asphalt. The City Council has allocated funds for "Brick Street Rehabilitation" in the 2017-18 Budget Capital Improvement Program. We hope to see improvements in the coming year.