WILMINGTON — Added green space is often a request from Wilmington residents who balk at overdevelopment region wide. The City of Wilmington has responded with the intention of securing 25 acres in a potential joint funding partnership with the county; The Endowment also agreed to carry a heavy portion of its cost.
According to the city’s agenda released for Feb. 3, the city identified properties at 6325, 6335, 6341, and 6345 Greenville Loop Road to become a park amenity. It totals 25 acres and is owned by multiple people, according to New Hanover County property records. This includes GLOOP 6341 — an entity consisting of Mark L. Maynard Sr. and Robert J. Hollis. Maynard is president and Hollis is vice president of Tribute Companies, known for South Front Apartments and Arboretum Village. Also 6325 GLRD LLC owns a majority of the acreage, registered by real estate investor and attorney Jeffrey Baker of Wilmington.
READ MORE: Endowment gives city, county $7.7M for land acquisition, conservation
The city passed a resolution in October allowing City Manager Becky Hawke to negotiate and enter a purchase agreement but also reach out to New Hanover County as well as The Endowment to help fund the acquisition and conservation. The Endowment announced earlier this week it would give $7.7 million toward the purchase price, which according to city documents comes in at $9.75 million.
The city is putting forth $1 million — to be transferred from its general fund to the park and recreation capital funds — and has asked the county for the other $1 million. The county commissioners take up the matter Feb. 16.
According to the inter local agreement with the county, which the city is set to vote on Tuesday, Feb. 3, Wilmington municipality would be the sole deed-holder and in charge of the park’s development and maintenance. The closing date of the property is planned for Feb. 28.
Hawke was informed by the end of October of The Endowment’s $7.7-million approval. The grant agreement mandates the city procure an arborist consultation and tree survey. It also notes the property cannot be sold without “prior written consent of The Endowment” and any transfer of the property can only go to a 501(c) public charity.
Within five years of receiving the grant money, the acreage must be serving the community as a park or the grant funds will have to be returned.
A letter from The Endowment sent to Hawke details:
“‘Park’ refers to a publicly accessible space designed to support a wide range of outdoor experiences and activities. The site must include amenities for active recreational activities such as, but not limited to, sports fields, playgrounds, outdoor courts, and comparable active recreation-oriented facilities. For the purposes of this approval, green space and/or trails do not meet the definition of ‘park.'”
An added 25-acre park falls in line with the City of Wilmington’s Comprehensive Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan. It lists the desire to “acquire approximately 120 total acres of additional land to meet the community’s current and future recreational needs.”
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