We start this week with a look at development on Wilmington’s Riverwalk.
The long-planned Pier 33 mixed-use project announced this week that it would break ground in the coming weeks. But that’s not the only news involving Pier 33. We recently looked into complaints about code violations at the Port City Marina and, according to the developer of the project, the City of Wilmington agreed to “look the other way” until Pier 33 could be completed and the facilities moved there.
Then we catch up with the latest about Wrightsville Avenue, where developer Jeff Kentner is demanding road improvements as a prerequisite to building the long-planned Galleria project. Kentner recently wrote the city, describing a meeting where NCDOT pledged money towards the project, and suggesting that Wilmington would also contribute. Mayor Bill Saffo said there was a meeting, but denies anything concrete was agreed to.
Then, a trip to Wrightsville Beach, and a look at several issues the town is dealing with, including increasing parking rates (again), regulating and restricting the boaters who are anchoring in the town’s waters, and the difficulty in retaining police officers — a problem that has been costing the town more than $300,000 a year.
Finally, an update on new Carolina Beach town manager Lucky Narain. While the city of Hayward, California, was initially unwilling to release information about his current job, we did eventually contact him personally to help shed some light on his background.
If you missed any of these stories you can catch up below, then take a deeper dive with our weekly podcast.
First look at new Riverwalk development project, with retail, apartments, and parking garage
Wrightsville Beach revisits talk of boat restrictions, enforcement options
Wrightsville Beach made nearly $3 million in parking last year, considering fee hike yet again
Carolina Beach’s new Town Manager brings a varied background to the job
