NEW HANOVER COUNTY — At the beginning of October, the county opened an online survey to the public, welcoming suggestions to name the building for Project Grace. A major project to redevelop the block of county-owned land downtown –– bordered by 2nd, 3rd, Chestnut and Grace streets –– has been floated since 2018 but started gaining traction in spring of 2021.
CATCH UP: Previous reporting on Project Grace
It has drawn praise from some and ire from others, mainly in regards to the project’s demolition of the Borst Building –– a 1920’s-era Chrysler dealership. Currently housing the downtown library, the 201 Chestnut St. building also remains uncertain; it’s not clear if the library will be demolished or faces adaptive reuse. The Borst Building is slated to be razed instead of rehabilitated, a decision the Historic Wilmington Foundation and numerous members of the public have spoken out against. In its stead will be a new building combining the Cape Fear Museum and downtown library.
The county entered a public-private partnership with Zimmer Development Company (Mayfaire Townview, Camden Forest) and architectural firm LS3P (Wilmington Convention Center, New Hanover County Government Center) to erect a new building. Early renderings show it will be constructed of brick and glass, and include multiple floors, reading terraces, a planetarium, outdoor areas, and multi-purpose spaces.
On the northside of the block, the library will maintain 38,616 square feet, the museum will have 38,500 square feet, and there will be 8,470 square feet of combined space. On the southside, there will be multi-family apartments, offices and other mixed-use developments.
Project Grace is slated to cost the county $90 million over 20 years, and in January the county is expected to present the financing proposal to the Local Government Commission for review.
From Oct. 4-18, a name-the-building survey garnered 80-plus suggestions, according to a list of public responses obtained by Port City Daily. At the very least, participants tapped into their sense of humor — “Booky McBookface” and “Graceland of Wilmington” — while some showcased disdain: “Sold Down the River Tiny Library,” “Follow the Cash,” “Giant Taxpayer Ripoff” and “BOONDOGGLE SQUARE.”
Others used the survey to advocate for the building: “Please save our library. Don’t sell it to a developer and make taxpayers pay. The library is an important and beloved resource.”
A few took the opportunity to suggest honoring locals that have been notable to the history of the Cape Fear region: “The Alexander Manly Library” (Manley was the editor of The Daily Record, which was burned down as part of the 1898 Massacre and Coup) and “The Hermitage” (after Robert Harrill, the Fort Fisher Hermit).
Here is the list of all community suggestions:
| The Books ‘n Bones Building |
| The Community/Taxpayers named it Project DISGRACE |
| The Renaissance |
| Saving Grace |
| River of Hope City Center |
| Graceland of Wilmington |
| Civil war building |
| Cape Fear Rising |
| Building McBuildingFace |
| Wilmington Museum and Library |
| Discovery Center |
| The 1898 Complex |
| Grace Knowledge Center |
| Grace On Grace |
| Follow The Cash |
| Please save our library. Don’t sell it to a developer and make taxpayers pay. The library Is an important and beloved resource. |
| Sold Down the River Tiny Library |
| Stop giving away public resources. A library is for the people, not the merchants |
| THE COLLECTIVE on Grace |
| Cape Fear Lyceum |
| Grace Complex. Then Grace Library & Grace Museum. |
| Grace Landing |
| Project Disgrace |
| The Cape Renaissance |
| Cape Fear Renaissance |
| Cape Fear Museum & Library |
| Port ILM Public Library & Museum |
| Center of Hopes & Dreams |
| cape fear love and hope |
| Grace Library and Museum |
| New Town Library & Museum |
| Historical Wander Librarium |
| Synergy Center |
| Discovery Center |
| Graceful Gathering Gallery |
| Giant Taxpayer Ripoff |
| BOONDOGGLE SQUARE |
| The Alexander Manly Library |
| Grace Place |
| Cape Fear Library |
| The Hermitage |
| Nothing because the library should stay where it is |
| Not the library because we have one already |
| “The Glass Lamp” (From The Lamp of Knowledge) |
| Alexander Manley Library |
| The Atheneaum |
| Commissioners Folly |
| Commissioners Folly |
| Commissioners Folly |
| New Hanover Enrichment Center |
| The Learning Center |
| The Hub |
| Commissioner’s Folly… |
| The Story Place |
| Grace Cultural Center |
| N. H. C. Anthenaeum |
| The Anchor |
| Muse |
| Imaginarium |
| UNCW |
| Legacy Plaza |
| SLAM! (Structure for the Library And Musuem!) |
| Cape Fear Public Library and Museum |
| Azalea Athenaeum |
| Wilmington Historical Center and Library |
| Booky McBookface |
| Cape Fear Public Library and Cultural History Center |
| Ann Stephani |
| PROJECT NOT BY THE GOOD GRACE OF GOD SHOULD THIS HAPPEN |
| The RICE Center (Research Inspire Collaborate Educate) |
| Inspiration Plaza |
| Exploration Place |
| The Abraham Galloway Center |
| Lighthouse of Port Wilm |
| Cape Fear Learning Center Library and Museum |
| The Freedom Center |
| Cape Fear Freedom Building |
| The Pine Center: Passion, Inclusion, Nurturing, Educational |
| The Pine Center: Passion and Information Nourish Education |
| Confluence Center |
| The Daily Record |
Have tips or comments? Email info@portcitydaliy.com
