WILMINGTON — The Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority has a new bench amenity program in motion, months after the issue was first raised due to unauthorized benches built by the Democratic Socialists of America and placed at area stops. Moving forward, the only way an organization or individual can help Wave with its benches and shelters is by donating money or following state requirements when offering labor, resources, and skills to install benches. The colorful benches DSA built currently don’t follow the requirements.
The board voted unanimously on Thursday to implement the “Donate-an-Amenity” program, in addition to “Adopt-a-Stop.” The latter is essentially a clean-up effort; volunteers sign a waiver and are committed to picking up trash at the bus stops and reaching out to Wave Transit if the stop needs repairs. Volunteers would sign up for a year-long commitment and are provided vests, trash bags and other supplies, and it would be roughly a yearlong commitment to clean either weekly or monthly.
Wave Executive Director Mark Hairr explained when it comes to the donation program, the benches would all need to be uniform — no words, no paint, no design variations. He described the standard, acceptable design as a “vintage” look with metal frames and wood paneling.
READ MORE: DSA benches could be scrapped under proposed Wave Transit amenity policy
“There are some benches similar to this already out in the city,” Hairr said to the board. “You see these along Third Street. We’ve actually got a few that are similar to this at some bus stops already.”
While Ty L. — the head of DSA’s mutual aid committee, which built the benches — told the board he appreciated the program’s “step in the right direction,” he thought the program could be more inclusive of community. He pointed to other cities with amenities programs allowing benches like the ones DSA built — which as is, are not accepted under Wave’s new policy.
He said in Durham, the city council gave the organization On the Bench a $5,000 small community grant to continue their work; community members contribute materials, financial donations and volunteer time to build the benches.
“There are examples of these systems working and empowering their citizens to help themselves and each other,” he said during public comment.
On the Bench’s adopt-a-bench allows the seating areas to be painted varied colors, as the DSA benches were, though they can’t include words or messages. DSA benches had phrases like “you are my sunshine” and “fruits of community labor” to more politically based ones like “no rent for slumlords” and “we need mass social housing now.” That spurred indignation from some community members, who complained to the city, county and Wave.
Ty L. said at the last Wave board meeting, DSA was open to removing the messages for the benches to still be used. DSA built roughly 40 in the past year — which cost around $1 a bench, made from scrap wood — and put 30 out before they were removed in August.
“At the current rate of 19 bus stops, getting an amenity per year, it’ll take 20 years for every stop to have a place for someone to sit,” he said during public comment Thursday. “Even if you raise the number to 40 amenities per year, it’s still 10 years.”
Wave has plans to install 19 benches and 19 shelters at 38 stops within the next year or so. According to data, about 300 bus stops need a bench and a shelter in Wilmington.
Port City Daily reached out to Ty L. to ask if the DSA would transform their benches to meet requirements laid out in the program and if not what the fate of the benches would be. A response was not received by press.
Approved materials for Wave’s benches include aluminum with a black powder coating for the frames and high grade, recycled wooden slats for the paneling. However, not all wood is accepted.
“If somebody donates palette wood, that’s a situation where we’re not gonna take that,” Hairr explained. “That’s not appropriate for benches.”
The bench must be 6 feet long with an armrest in the middle, as well as be UV and moisture resistant, have pre-drilled legs and have no text or graphics.
They also are required to be designed in-line with the 2017 guidelines published by the North Carolina Department of Transportation and must be ADA compliant. Hairr said this bench construction and installation would cost roughly $650, but engineering services could cost between $4,000 and $7,000.
All benches need to be placed on concrete pads, and all designs for both benches and concrete pads need to be conducted by a professional, state-certified engineer.
City manager Becky Hawke and CFPTA Chair and New Hanover County manager Chris Coudriet both offered engineering services through their respective departments.
“We wouldn’t want that to be the barrier if there have yet to be additional identified funds but they have the ability to construct a pad and construct a bench,” Hawke said.
She suggested people reach out about utilizing city or county engineers, to which Coudriet agreed.
Products and resources used for benches and any labor plans will need to be approved by Wave Transit staff in advance before installation is completed.
Construction efforts for the benches aren’t extended to bus shelters; Wave will only accept monetary donations for those. Donations can be made in any increment; it costs $20,000 to build a shelter and bench, though a donor isn’t expected to finance the cost of one singularly. The money will be put into a fund to go toward the installations.
Information on both programs will eventually be on Wave’s website as the “Better Bus Program,” with information on how to help or join.
Have tips or suggestions for Emily Sawaked? Email [email protected]
At Port City Daily, we aim to keep locals informed on top-of-mind news facing the tri-county region. To support our work and help us reach more people in 2026, please, consider helping one of two ways: Subscribe hereor make a one-time contribution here.
We appreciate your ongoing support.
