The consensus from table one: highrise residential buildings aren’t right for downtown’s prize riverfront.
“It’s going to block all the sunset,” said Joe Dunton, one of several dozen Wilmingtonians who grouped around workstation tables at City Hall on Wednesday. Their role: to give the city input on a consultant’s recommended concept for what could replace the old and essentially crumbling public parking deck on Water Street.
The UNC School of Government Development Finance Initiative (DFI), hired by the city to investigate the possibilities, last month recommended a pair of tall, mixed-use buildings developed in a public-private partnership, with retail on the street level and residential spaces on several stories above, possibly surpassing the current 132-foot height restriction and standing taller than the historic Murchison building it would neighbor. (Related story)
But what would the city’s public investment be to make it happen? Are large buildings on the riverfront really the way go? And why can’t it just be nice, open space for the public to enjoy?
Those were among leading questions at Wednesday’s input session, which Deputy City Manager Tony Caudle kicked off with an emphasis: the rendering the public has seen is not an actual design; it’s only a concept for massing or potential scale. What ultimately rises there could be considerably different, he said.
Proposals from private developers wouldn’t be sought until the summer, and months of work–firming up the design and financials, among other components–could follow. “This is the very first piece in a very long project,” DFI analyst Christy Raulli said Wednesday.
While the idea is to replace the old city deck with the “highest and best” possible use for today’s and tomorrow’s Wilmington, Dunton and his tablemates Wednesday were generally in opposition. His remark about the buildings blocking sunset from downtowners followed a suggestion that any development stick with “the basics,” or perhaps become a venue for film or other community enriching purpose.
Residents of Old Wilmington member Sylvia Kochler, seated with Dunton, reiterated comments she made at the city council’s March 4 meeting that the retail-residential building idea—which could, per the concept, come with around 650 parking spaces—would bring an unwanted blast of vehicular traffic downtown. That’s as the city’s Vision 2020 plan, a guide for character-preserving development along the riverfront area, seeks more pedestrian energy, she noted.
“This site, as you all know, is prime property,” appraised Kochler, who said the acre would do well as open park space. Residents have said it would complement Riverfront Park just south and the Riverwalk along the Cape Fear.
That’s even in recognition of the nearly 7 acres the city closed on in December for $3.86 million. Near the Wilmington Convention Center on the northern riverfront, it’s set to be a passive park suitable for events, such as concerts.
Story: City closes on land for downtown park
But DFI said its market findings suggested the retail-residential development as best. And in a staff presentation Wednesday night was the contention that it did work with Vision 2020, following such points as increasing downtown’s population and its employment opportunities.
The city council approved DFI’s hiring in April 2013 for $50,000. Above that, DFI would earn 1 percent of the property’s sale or lease price if closed on within six months of receiving all bids.
“The consequences for DFI are clear,” said a city staff memo at the time. “DFI will get the second part of the fee only if there is a bidder for the project who successfully executes an agreement with the city.”
It’s an economic development effort for Wilmington—and the possibility of a municipal service district to stimulate that at the parking deck is being explored—but officials Wednesday did hear the dissent. Caudle assured the city council would understand the points before it votes to endorse any development concept.
“The public needs to be heard,” said Councilwoman Laura Padgett. “It’s my feeling as a public official, personally, that the public, the Wilmington citizens, don’t want a huge development on that site. And even though we just bought a big park to the north, the public space in the heart of the old part of downtown is too important to lose.”
Council could discuss DFI’s proposal at its meeting next week, on March 18.
For anyone who couldn’t attend Wednesday’s input meeting, an online survey on the proposal will remain active until 10 a.m. Friday. Click here to access it.
Past story: City council authorizes spending on parking deck repair
Ben Brown is a news reporter at Port City Daily. Reach him at ben.b@hometownwilmington.com or (910) 772-6335. On Twitter: @benbrownmedia
