Wilmingtonians will have their chance to speak on a potential $44 million transportation bond Tuesday.
A public hearing is on Wilmington City Council’s agenda for the evening meeting to begin at 6:30 in Wilmington City Hall, 102 N. Third St.
If council proceeds with the bond issue–to fund various roadway, bike-and-pedestrian and public transportation resources citywide–Wilmington voters will face a referendum Nov. 4.
If voters approve the borrowing, a 2 cent property tax increase would be called for starting July 2015.
In return, the city would see $55 million in spending on recommended projects prioritized by a committee of three city council members–Kevin O’Grady, Laura Padgett and Earl Sheridan.
They’ve recommended $33 million in roadway projects, focusing on:
- Eastwood Road access management
- Carolina Beach Road streetscape
- North Front Street streetscape
- Dawson/Wooster streetscape
- Love Grove access
- Hurst Drive extension
- Pine Grove/McMillan intersection improvement
- Oleander and Pine Grove realignment
- Racine/New Centre right turn lane
- Wrightsville/Wallace avenues roundabout
- Pine Grove Drive/Greenville Loop Road roundabout
- Pine Grove Drive/Holly Tree Road roundabout
- Street rehab, coordination with the N.C. Department of Transportation and contingency
The committee also figured up $20 million in bike and pedestrian projects, including sidewalks or extensions along Oleander Drive, Wrightsville Avenue, Dawson Street, 17th Street, 23rd Street, Delany Avenue, McClelland Drive, Fairlawn Drive, Clover Road and Gleason Road.
Crosswalks are eyed for:
- Kerr Avenue/Wilshire Boulevard
- College Road/Wilshire Boulevard
- Holly Tree Road/College Road
- 13th Street/Dawson Street
- 16th Street/Dawson Street
- 8th Street/Dawson Street
- 17th Street/Dawson Street
It would also fund greenway development along Greenville Loop Road (from Wrightsville Avenue to College Road), Kerr Avenue (from Randall Parkway to College Road at the UNCW Cross-City Trail link) and College Road (from Holly Tree Road to 17th Street’s Cross City Trail link).
A multi-use trail is recommended for Masonboro Loop Road, from Pine Grove Drive to Navajo Trail, connecting the area to Parsley Elementary School.
And $2 million–rounding out the $55 million list–would go to public transportation.
The portion of the project list the $44 million bond wouldn’t cover would be taken on with city capital improvement money, according to the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization.
It would be the city’s first transportation bond since 2006, when voters approved $14 million.
