ROW has awarded a grant to the Children's Museum for $2500. 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 will be used for the new exhibit, "The Science of You," to teach children about the human body.

 

The May Picnic was held at the historic Burgwin-Wright House on Saturday, May 12. Nearly 80 members enjoyed the delicious food, pleasant weather and the good company of fellow members.

 

ROW members spread throughout downtown streets on Saturday, April 7, to pick up trash and clean up the area in preparation for the upcoming Azalea Festival. Thanks to all of the volunteers!

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 is on the premises. The Council has been studying Short Term Rental issues for two years and approved their existence in residential and commercial districts. The conflict over STRs has centered on whether Short Term Rentals should be allowed in Residential Districts.  Before the Council's vote, Wilmington's Zoning Code did not permit any businesses to operate in neighborhoods zoned single family residential.

The Council will address Whole House Short Term rentals (with the owner on the premises) in October. 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. For more details about STRs in Wilmington, click the Read More button below.

 

 

II. The Grace Street Project concerns the development of the downtown block containing the public library. New Hanover County owns the block and County Commissioners are considering proposals for a public-private redevelopment of the block that now includes 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.