WILMINGTON—Starting tonight, the city is kicking off its series of public input meetings regarding the growth and development of greater downtown Wilmington. In September, residents gathered to voice their preliminary input on the greater downtown area.
The desire for more alternative transportation options, concern for safety and crime, greenspace and infrastructure improvements, more grocery options were among the responses from the initial meeting.
At the Lake Forest Baptist Church, residents are invited to voice their opinion to city design and planning officials in regard to specific opportunities and challenges within neighborhoods, including jobs, housing, safety, and redevelopment according to the city website.
The city considers “greater downtown” to span from Smith Creek to Greenfield Lake and the Cape Fear River to Burnt Mill Creek. This 5.62 square mile region employs an estimated 16,000 individuals.
An estimated 46 percent of the greater downtown area is either “underused” or vacant, according to the city website. The series of meetings will address specific locations within the districts arranged by the city that could potentially be put to use.
This first meeting will focus on the Greenfield, S. Front, Southside and Industrial neighborhoods. A detailed outline of the meetings planned is included below.
Greenfield, S Front, Southside & Industrial neighborhoods – Tonight, 6 p.m.
Lake Forest Baptist Church
Fellowship Hall
1626 Lake Branch Drive
Soda Pop, Carolina Heights/Winoca Terrace, Northside – Nov. 14, 6 p.m.
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church
Dining Hall
1416 Market St.
Northside, Brooklyn Arts, Love Grove, Hilton – Nov. 16, 6 p.m.
Johnson Pre-K Center
Cafeteria
1100 McRae St.
Historic Wilmington, Downtown Core, North Waterfront – Nov. 28, 6 p.m.
Hannah Block USO/Community Arts Center
Basement
120 S. 2nd St.
The Bottom, Dry Pond, Carolina Place/Ardmore, Delgado – Dec. 12, 6 p.m.
International School at Gregory
Media Center
1106 Ann St.
