Welcome Home...Cheers to Pepsico and Cheers to Where It All Began

Caleb Bradham
Inventor of Pepsi-Cola

An incredible happening…accepting Governor Perdue’s invitation, the Pepsico Board of Directors will meet in New Bern on May 1^st and 2^nd in the NC History Center to host its 2012 Annual  Shareholders Meeting. This is the first time the meeting has been held in the birthplace of Pepsi, a drink concocted by Caleb Bradham over 100 years ago. Today, Pepsico is a world leader in convenience snacks, foods and beverages with revenues of more than $60 billion annually and 285,000 employees world-wide.

Although the meeting is closed to the public, this will put New Bern on the map. The meeting will be webcast via pepsico.com for those interested in listening to the proceedings and will be covered by reporters from the Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Bloomberg Reports, CNN, New York Times and Washington Post and other financial publications, just to name a few.

The advance security and set-up teams have been arriving for the past few weeks to insure the security and safety of the high profile Board members. The many Pepsi banners throughout the downtown celebrate and welcome their stay.

The list of highly successful, high profile members on the Board include:

Shone L. Brown, Senior Vice President, Google, Inc.

Ian M. Cook, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Colgate Palmolive Co.

Dina Dublon, Former Executive VP and CEO, JP Morgan Chase and Co.

Victor J. Dzau, Chancellor for Health Affairs, Duke University and Pres. And CEO Duke University Health System

Alberto Ibarguen, Pres. and CEO, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Ray Hunt, Chairman of the Board, Pres. and CEO of Hunt Consolidated, Inc.

Arthur C. Martinez, Former CEO of the Board, Pres. and CEO Sears Robuck &Co.

Indra Nooyi, Chairman and CEO Pepsico

Sharon Percy Rockefeller, Pres. CEO Public Station

We are very happy the Pepsico leadership accepted our Governor’s invitation to meet in New Bern “where it all began”.

For more information on the Pepsi store and the history of its birthplace click here.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

   

1999 Pepsi Centennial Celebration -
Birthplace of Pepsi today



 

1999 Pepsi Centennial Celebration



             

1983 Pepsi's 85th Anniversary Celebration
400 Block Pollock St.

 
 

Bradham's Broad Street Drug Store



1983 Pepsi's 85th Anniversary Celebration
Intersection of Middle and Pollock St.

Supersonic Super Star

Photo by Larry Conley-visit photographybyconley.com



We were thrilled to see the photo of the  Grumman F-11A Tiger Jet on the cover of the new Community Yellow Pages phone book. The restoration and relocation of this jet to Lawson Creek Park, a major community effort, is a highly visible attraction honoring our City’s close relationship with MCAS Cherry Point.

We are very proud of Swiss Bear’s partnership with the City and the many individuals, organizations and businesses who contributed funds, time and services for this project. Seeing the photo of the cover brought back many memories of a project, five years in the making, that restored this deteriorated supersonic super star and gave it a new lease on life.  

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Extending Hopitality to New Community Leaders

The Inter-agency Committee is a group of professionals who meet monthly to network and up-date each other on our projects. Members of the group are Jim Davis, Craven County Economic Development Director; Mike Epperson, City Manager; Jack Veit, County Manager; Kevin Roberts, President Chamber of Commerce; Sabrina Bengel, Alderman, First Ward; Mary Harris, Executive Director, New Bern Riverfront Convention Center; Craig Smith, President, Downtown Business Council; Brad Schulenberg, Marketing, Tryon Palace and myself.

On occasion, we invite the new CEO’s of industry, City or County Department Directors, etc. to meet with us so they have an opportunity to hear about our respective organization's goals, mission and current projects and invite them to share their background, company’s goals, and early observations of New Bern.  

On April 16, we met at the Convention Center with Lane Mills, Superintendent, Craven County Schools; David O’Connell, President, Hatteras and Cabo Yachts; and Yvonne Wold, Plant Manager, Moen. Catherine Chew, President, Craven Community College and Scott Harrelson, Director of the Craven County Health Department were also invited to attend.

It was a very good and interesting meeting. We learned a great deal about the individuals and their respective companies/organizations. Their response was extremely positive and all stated this was a first…in all their years as professionals they had never been extended this opportunity to meet with community leaders, be informed on the goals and mission of various organizations, local government officials and staff in an informal comfortable setting.

It was good to meet the new leaders of education and two industries and hope you have an opportunity to meet them around town as they settle into life in New Bern and Craven County.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Effecting positive change in Five Points





2005 - Broad at Queen St., eastbound



Today - Broad at Queen St.,eastbound

 





  




1990's - Broad at First St., westbound

 



Today - Broad at First St.,westbound







  





1990's - old Wiggins property demolished
 Broad and First St., westbound



Today - Broad near First St., westbound









 





  

On April 17, Bob Mattocks, Swiss Bear Chairman, and I  attended the Board of Aldermen work session to present a request for an annual appropriation. The city has funded approximately one third of our budget since 1980 when we became a Main Street City, a program under the NC Department of Commerce.

Following our presentation, we were asked by Alderman Taylor why Swiss Bear’s focus has only been on downtown and not Five Points. We responded with a list of projects that were focused on Five Points. Although the list was substantial, including initiating, partially funding and coordinating the 1990 and 2000 Urban Design Plans that included Five Points and the surrounding neighborhoods and led to the city’s investment in building a new fire station, police station, buying the First Citizens Bank for city offices, purchasing and demolishing derelict housing and recent major improvements of 1.5 miles of Broad Street, he indicated it wasn’t enough. 

The fact is we are limited in what we can do. Our participation is dependent on the City, its implementation of a Master Plan and the commitment to follow through with the implementation. Private investors must feel confident the public sector has a plan and the commitment to make it happen.



The 1977 Downtown Revitalization Plan was the foundation of downtown’s renewal and the City supported the plan. The creation of a nonprofit (Swiss Bear) was recommended in the plan as a strategy to involve the private sector. The focus was the central business district, a 12 block area. It was an effort in which the impetus for economic development was primarily driven by the private sector and for the first decade occurred without significant public investment.  Most of the funding for downtown improvements came from assessments on the property owners themselves, federal and state grants and fundraising campaigns. Tax assessments on the property owners continues in the 12 block Municipal Service Tax District (MSD) to fund public improvements.  

In reality, effecting positive change in Five Points requires going beyond the core retail/commercial area. The area in need is much greater with many more challenges. The poverty rate in this area is the highest in a four county area. Education and jobs skill training is a critical need. Many buildings have been lost, there are large vacant tracts, retail and commercial is lacking and the area is in need of private investment. A program of rehabilitation, infill construction, and encouraging owner-occupancy needs to be undertaken to strengthen the neighborhoods. Improved infrastructure is needed in the areas north of Broad Street, streets need to be widened, more derelict housing demolished and new homes constructed.

This is beyond Swiss Bear’s scope. Quite simply, we do not have the authority or responsibility to lead the charge. We are committed to working with the city, however, the leadership in developing a plan and carrying out the recommendations and implementation must come from the city.  Our elected City officials, in particular those whose Wards are in this area, must be committed to doing what it takes to effect positive change in the greater Five Points area. It  requires public improvements, development incentives, the City’s long term commitment to create a quality environment and provide the necessary infrastructure to attract and sustain investment. Private sector support and investors must believe that local government is committed to carrying out a long-range plan. It will also require the support and commitment from business owners and property owners in the greater Five Points area. They too must be committed to the long haul…in the best of circumstances, the change will be incremental and take many years as it did in the downtown.



Fortunately, under the leadership of City Manager, Mike Epperson, a new planning effort is underway for Five Points and surrounding neighborhoods. This is a new planning effort with the help of Goody Clancy, consultants from Boston, MA. Its purpose is to develop realistic and implementation-focused revitalization strategies for both the commercial and residential parts of the study area. If the City adopts the plan, which should be presented to the Board of Aldermen in the near future, and they commit to going forward to implement it, Swiss Bear is committed to partnering with the city and directing our energy on projects that will make this revitalization effort a success.

Your comments are appreciated.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Great News! Mumfest 2012 a Top 20 Event in the Southeast

We just received word Mumfest has been selected as one of Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for the month of October 2012.

This is the third time we have seen selected for this prestigious award and we are thrilled…as it is a big deal!! In addition to our advertising, press releases etc., we will receive tremendous exposure through the Southeast Tourism Society which covers 12 states.

The Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Events publication receives extensive exposure in print media, web, television and radio in the U.S. and Canada. Over 16,000 newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations, AAA and others receive the listings.  If you are interested, all the Top 20 Events are listed on the STS website  http://www.southeasttourism.org/ and on their consumer web site http://www.escapetothesoutheast.com/.

Mumfest 2012 promises to be the best yet .. Seafair, Outdoor Life and the many other venues are sure to attract huge crowds. The addition of being selected as a Top 20 Event in October 2012 and being promoted in 12 Southern states will certainly ensure record crowds.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Thank you for a Grand Weekend

Special thanks to our very own famous resident author, Nicholas Sparks for bringing national attention and many celebrities to our historic downtown. The living room of our city enjoyed a grand weekend that drew thousands and raised funds to support local causes.

New Bern is blessed to have talented, caring people, like Nicholas Sparks and his family, who share their success for the betterment of the community.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

The Glitter and Excitement of Hollywood



Downtown’s weekend’s are continually jam-packed with things to do and this weekend is no exception…in fact, it is an exceptional weekend filled with the glitter and excitement of Hollywood.

In addition to ARTWALK and other activities, New Bern’s own famous author, Nicholas Sparks, is sponsoring the Nicholas Sparks Celebrity Family Weekend…Friday through Sunday. Sparks’ newest novel, now in film “The Lucky One”, will be a highlight of the weekend with co-star Taylor Schilling and cast member Jay Ferguson attending the grand preview screening at the Civic Theatre, 9 pm on Friday. Although it is by invitation only, the public can stargaze beginning at 8 pm as the celebrities arrive for the preview screening. The long list of celebrities are from television, broadcast news, sports, Weather Channel and NFL players.  

Sponsored by Pepsi, proceeds from the weekend’s activities will benefit Hope for the Warriors, Paws with a Cause and global education  initiatives for Epiphany School youth through the Nicholas Sparks Foundation.  

For a complete list of activities taking place throughout the week-end, go to sparksevent.org/.

Swiss Bear extends special thanks to Nicholas Sparks for choosing New Bern for the premier of The Lucky Ones and putting our city and downtown on the map and for his philanthropy for causes new and dear to hearts.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

ARTWALK - Friday April 20, 5-8 PM...another great evening in downtown New Bern

Art lovers can look forward to another evening devoted to the arts on Aril 20 featuring 11venues. The public will have the opportunity to meet the artists at the following exhibits and receptions. 



Drinking in Daisies
by Jonathan Grauel



New Bern Artworks & Company presents, Woven Narratives, collective works by Jonathan Grauel and Fabric Lenny will be held April 20 and the two artists will lead an interactive hands on workshop at 10 a.m. – noon  on the 21st. They have exhibited selections of their work in venues in Europe, receiving national press and TV coverage. For more information go to www.newbernartworks.com.

At Bank of the Arts for the first time, the Craven Community Associates in Fine Arts Department will hold their annual student art show representing student works from an eclectic mix  20+ students who grew up in China, Japan, Europe and  Eastern North Carolina. Artist’s reception is 5– 8p.m. For more information go to www.cravenarts.org.



Blue Orb Stoneware by  Michaele Rose Watson



 

Michaele Rose Watson’s Studio, tucked away at 413B Broad Street will have numerous artists, performers, musicians, painters and sculptures in attendance, where art will be created and performed from 5–9 p.m.

 

Downtown Closing Time on Middle Street
Dan Nelson


Carolina Creations will feature Painting the Town-New Bern, oil paintings by Raleigh artist Dan Nelson. 



 

Lisa Bisbee's Art



Next Chapter Bookstore features artwork by local artist Lisa Bisbee and book signing with local author WR Chagnon.

Other art venues:

New Bern Sculpture Park, MJs Raw Bar & Grill, the Accidental Artist, Bead-N-Bowls and the New Bern Farmer’s Market.

Susan Moffat Thomas 

Executive Director

A Great Lady and Tryon Palace's Biggest Advocate



Carraway Garden at Tryon Palace



In the April 8 News & Observer, I read the article

Gertrude Sprague Carraway

Past Times by Teresa Leonard, a researcher who looks at yesteryear on the blog Past Times, blogs.newsobserver.com/pasttimes. In this column, she  related a 1966 interview with Gertrude Carraway, a famous New Bernian who was born and spent nearly all of her 96 years in New Bern, living in her childhood home on Broad Street.

I enjoyed reading the article immensely as I had the privilege of knowing Ms. Carraway. I was a great fan and admirer and the award I received that I am most proud of is the Gertrude Carraway Award of Merit from the Historic Preservation in 1990.

She was an outstanding person and was one of the driving forces for her work in the preservation and reconstruction of Tryon Palace. She played a key role in initiating a campaign to move NC 70, the Trent River Bridge and the numerous houses that have been built on the Palace site over the years. The Palace, built in 1767-70 to house Royal Governor William Tryon, had burned in the late 1770’s and only one of its wings remained. By 1959, the efforts of Ms. Carraway, the Kellenberger family and many other influential people paid off when the reconstructed Palace was opened and became New Bern’s crown jewel as a tourist attraction.

Other passions included membership in the Magellan Club of World Circumnavigation for going around the world twice; as a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, she became President General of the National DAR in 1953. In that position she inspired President Eisenhower to establish National Constitution Week. She was a prolific writer serving as the editor of the newspaper in New Bern from 1924-1937 and authored six books on North Carolina history, in addition to hundreds of free lance articles.

It was nice to be reminded of the positive impact this dynamic, great lady, who passed away in the 1990’s, made on this city, our state and nation’s history!

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director



Kudos ...

Our hats are off to the Craven Community College Foundation for establishing the Community Fabric Awards in 2011. Three outstanding individuals are recognized each year for their contributions to the College and community.

Swiss Bear extends congratulations, appreciation  and special thanks to the following 2012 recipients, chosen for their leadership in areas that have had a significant impact in meeting the needs of our local communities.

·         David L. Ward, Jr.,  Excellence in Individual Leadership 

·         CarolinaEast Medical Center and CEO Ray Leggett,

           Excellence in Business Leadership

·         Donald Carpenetti, Educator Excellence

We are pleased to participate as a sponsor of this event and extend kudos to President Catherine Chew, a member of the Swiss Bear Board, for her leadership and inspiration in establishing this program.

An invitation to business owners who sell outdoor recreation equipment

In a previous blog I related mumfest’s annual Boat Show will be expanded to include vendors whose business is related to outdoor recreation or outdoor activities such as adventure racing, backpacking, bicycling, camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking, kayaking, running, sailing, stand-up paddle boarding, hunting etc. We met with several business owners in the downtown area, who sell outdoor recreation equipment/gear, for their input…did they think this would be something the public would be interested in seeing at the festival? Based on their favorable response and enthusiasm, we are moving forward with this venue.

The area where the Boat Show has been located will be expanded to include the entire northern section of Union Point Park…the area to the left of the road that you use to enter the Park. In addition to vendors, an area will be set up to feature on-going demonstrations of outdoor recreational products by the vendors who are interested in presenting a 10 -15 minute demonstration on their product.

We have numerous commercial vendors who use the festival as an opportunity to promote their business ... highly visible direct marketing to the 80,000+ festival-goers. We invite business owners who sell outdoor recreation equipment to consider participating as a vendor in the Outdoor Life venue during mumfest this year, October 13 -14, Saturday 9:30 am – 6:30 pm and Sunday 10:30 – 5 pm. If you aren’t a business owner but know of a business you would like to see or think would benefit from the visibility in the Outdoor Life venue, we would appreciate it very much if you would suggest they look into it.

The application for a space(s) is on our www.mumfest.com website. Click on the vendor button at the top, far right of the page, which has all the information on the entry fee ($190) plus the City service fee ($25), space size etc. If you require more than the standard space or have other questions, we are happy to talk with you. Call us at 252-638-5781.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Pioneers in the field of aviation



F-11A Tiger Jet Restored
Lawson Creek Park



F-11A Jet Before - MLK Blvd



On April 10^th, I presented a program to the Grumman Retiree Club, Eastern Carolina Chapter (GRCECC) on Swiss Bear and the recent F-11A Tiger restoration and relocation project we coordinated and raised funds for, now visibly displayed in Lawson Creek Park. It was a meeting that provided a learning curve for the members on our projects and enlightenment for me on the role the Grumman Corporation played in the history of aviation including the design and development of the F-11 Tiger and the fact that so many retired to Eastern NC after long and successful careers with the Grumman Corporation on Long Island, New York.

The F-11 project took five years to complete. It was initiated when Rudy Ramcke, also a Grumman retiree, contacted Swiss Bear in 2005 suggesting the 300^th Anniversary could serve as a catalyst for the restoration of the deteriorated  jet, an  important aircraft in the history of aviation as a supersonic superstar, also flown as a Blue Angel in 1967-68 season.

We thought so too! With the Board of Aldermen’s approval, we organized a committee and began a fundraising campaign. Rudy served as Chairman until his health required his resignation as Chair. Mary Paulik, another member of the Club, whose husband had worked for Grumman, was the first to contribute to the project and served on the committee. The Grumman Retiree Club also contributed to the project. In the end, over $200,000 in cash and in-kind contributions from a multitude of individuals, organizations and businesses made the restoration and relocation possible and this historic aircraft is now a major attraction.

It was interesting to meet so many people who contributed to the project that were pioneers in the field of aviation and  development of the F-11.  Even though the first flight by the Wright Brothers took place in the early 1900’s, I for one, had forgotten how young  the history of aviation is, that major technological advancements didn’t really take place until the 1930’s. These and other Grumman employees built the FF-1 in the 1930’s, the fastest fighter plane in the world. In WWII they contributed immeasurably to the Allied cause with the creation of the famed Wildcat and Hellcat, carrier based fighters that helped to defeat the Japanese Zero. They initially designed and produced the retractable landing gear that made the modern carrier practical. Probably Grumman’s most extraordinary feat of engineering was when they conceived and created the historic Apollo Lunar Module that successfully landed the first men on the moon. Grumman’s technological

pre-eminence in aviation for forty-years ended in 1994 when Northrop bought Grumman to form Northrop Grumman and closed almost all the facilities on Long Island.

This group, like so many others who as retirees moved to New Bern or Eastern NC, had successful careers and brought their skills and talents with them when they moved here. They made major contributions where they lived and continue to make contributions in their retirement. We appreciate the support they extend to our community…and we are all the better for it.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Another Jam Packed Week-end in Downtown New Bern

The annual Spring Historic Homes and Garden Tour, April 13 – 14,  offers the rare opportunity to tour through eleven of the finest historic homes in New Bern. Homeowners  graciously open their homes and gardens to the public from 10 – 4 on Friday and Saturday to benefit the New Bern Historical Society and New Bern Preservation Foundation. In addition to touring the interiors of the respective homes, patrons will learn about the architecture, renovations and other tidbits of information that enhance the tour.

In addition to historic homes, many of the downtown churches will be open, some with musical performances. Visitors can stop by the Hospitality Station at the Attmore Oliver House and refreshments at the Blades’ Veranda Café.

A reception for ticket holders will be held Friday, 4 – 7 pm at Carolina Creations on Pollock Street. Tickets for the Homes Tour, advance $15, active military and dependents $13, days of tour $20. Tickets are good for both days. Go to newbernhistorical.org for more information or call 252-638-8558.

Tryon Palace gardens will be open free to the public 9 am to 6 pm both days. Tours of the Palace and historic buildings require a ticket. The annual Heritage Sale will be held on the grounds during the tour along with another annual treat…Tryon Palace Lover’s Week-end (held in conjunction with the Homes Tour) has a special theme, “Craven County Celebrates 300 Years of Gardens”.

NC History Center -  Unity Ball on Saturday begins at 7 pm celebrating 300 years of shared history and includes a silent auction, entertainment by the Secret Agent Band and guest speaker Freddie Parker, NC Central University. Tickets, $50 per person can be purchased at the History Center…proceeds benefit African-American programming at Tryon Palace. Call 252-639-3592 for more information.

For arts sake and just plain fun…Bear Hands Art Factory & Framing presents “Canvass Connections from 7 – 9 pm on Saturday. For a $35 fee, participants will paint a picture of a wine bottle and glass entitled “End of Day”. No experience is needed, just bring a refreshment and beverage. In addition to a great time you can take home your very own creation.

For a good cause…on Saturday, proceeds from a raffle (a statewide project) held in front of the Richardson Law firm on Pollock Street go to the maintenance of Camp Dogwood for the Blind located on Lake Norman at Sherrils Ford.  For $1 a ticket or 12 tickets for $10, the winner has a choice of a Jeep Liberty, Dodge Ram pickup, Dodge Caravan or Chrysler 200.

For music lovers…the Down East Folk Arts Society presents Tumbledown House, Friday at 8 pm at the Trent River Coffee Company on Craven Street.

The Twin River Lions Club is sponsoring a concert…Milton Bullock, known as the Golden Platter that also features Mary Tate at the New Bern Civic, 8 pm. Tickets are $15 advance, $20 at the door . This fundraising event also includes a raffle and broom sales.

Ensemble Vermillion, a Baroque Celebration of the Music of Bach and Leclair is being held at the History Center. Concert begins at 3 pm in the Cullman Performance Hall…tickets $20 adults, $15 Council of Friends and $5 for students.

Last but not least…The Cedar Grove Cemetery Tour at 4 pm, Saturday. The tours are a collaborative effort of the Earl of Craven Chapter of Questers International and the New Bern Historical Society (NBHS). Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at NBHS or the Cemetery gate on Queen Street.

Enjoy your week-end!

Susan Moffat Thomas

A Furniture Showroom...Why not a Trader Joe's?

In a March blog I reported we received confirmation from the NC Department of Commerce that two downtown New Bern projects submitted January 6 through the City, for a $100,000 Main Street Solutions grant, are being funded. Swiss Bear and the City Planning staff worked with Haroldson Properties and the Craven Arts Council submitting a grant request for expansion of the retail space in the Bank of the Arts to increase revenues and promote the work of local artists, and renovation of the old vacant commercial building on East Front Street, formerly Pak-A-Sak supermarket, for use as a wholesale furniture outlet.

In response to several phone calls and letters to the editor in the Sun Journal suggesting the public would be better served if the owner of the commercial property or Swiss Bear had recruited a specialty food store such as Trader Joe's rather than a wholesale furniture store, I am following up with a bit of history and a conversation with a Trader Joe's representative. 

When the Pak-A-Sak grocery store (one of three Pak-A-Sak stores in New Bern) closed in the1990’s, we along with the owner of the property contacted several grocery chains to discuss the possibility of recruiting one to open a store in that building to service the greater downtown area. Their response…the population base in the greater downtown area is not sufficient to justify the investment and generate the income stream necessary to operate a profitable business, which is the major reason the Pak-A-Sak closed. Statistics also indicate residents in outlying areas are not willing to change their routine of shopping at large full service chain stores convenient to their homes, to shop at a smaller market in the downtown area.

In spite of the major street scape improvements to East Front Street in the early 2000’s, the downtown gateway from the Alfred Cunningham Bridge was negatively impacted by the deteriorating highly visible vacant building. The large empty parking lot facing the East Front Street corridor was used primarily as overflow parking for special events and a hot dog vendor who occupied a small space on the lot. 

In late fall, owners of Branch’s Furniture voiced an interest in leasing the space for use as a furniture outlet if the owner would renovate the building. When the NC Department of Commerce announced in late November, the Main Street Solutions Grant Program had funds available for Main Street City projects that met the criteria…spur private investment; provide retention, expansion or recruitment of small business and one job created for every $25,000 awarded; and the requirement that recipients of the grant would spend a minimum of two non state/federal dollars, for every one dollar provided from the Main Street Solutions Fund, the owners of this commercial building inquired and pursued this opportunity for financial assistance.

Why not a Trader Joe's? New Bern’s demographics doesn’t meet the criteria.  

Per my conversation with a Trader Joe's representative on how they select a site, he said, "cities must have a minimum population of 300,000+ and the store’s location within that city is determined by the density within a three to seven mile area surrounding the store which must exceed 40,000 affluent/educated households. The next and last store they will open in North Carolina is in Wilmington." Other specialty stores such as Whole Foods, require similar demographics.

We are appreciative of the timely opportunity to apply for a highly competitive grant for two downtown projects and are happy we were one of the four cities who made the cut, as the Main Street Solutions Grant Program will end with the completion of this round of projects. The renovation of this building will expand a long-standing family business and downtown's retail mix, create jobs and enhance the East Front Street gateway into the downtown.

Susan Moffat-Thomas

Executive Director 

Visitor Wayfining system: Guiding visitors into the greater downtown

One of the projects in our 2012 Program of Work the public will continue to hear more about is securing funding and implementing a Visitor Wayfinding System.

The completion of the new Neuse River Bridge in 1997 and removal of the old John Lawson Bridge in 2000, dramatically altered the dynamics of circulation and arrival downtown creating new gateways and traffic patterns. In 2007, a master plan was developed for the completion of the Riverwalk in preparation of the City’s 300^th Celebration in 2010. A component of the Plan was a Wayfinding Sign System, designed by Mortar&ink, Columbia, MD in 2008-2009, funded through a NC Department of Cultural Resources grant. Swiss Bear’s goal is to partner with the City and other tourism related organizations, obtain estimates and secure funding for the implementation of a comprehensive Visitor Wayfinding Sign System.

What is Visitor Wayfinding? A Visitor Wayfinding System performs many functions.

1. The system directs vehicular traffic along designated image corridors to visitor destinations and parking.
2. The system provides orientation information to pedestrians at parking facilities and along pedestrian corridors.
3. The system welcomes and assists visitors with clear, concise wording and thoughtfully crafted nomenclature.
4. The system presents a positive image of the community through a design that is unique, attractive and consistent.

A city-wide wayfinding sign system guides visitors into and around town. A sign system for identity and visitor wayfinding is unique to the community, picking up where highway signs end on the interstate and state roads, to guide visitors from the periphery to featured community destinations.

The system provides directions to, and visibility for, key visitor destinations, generally public venues, without private, retail or religious affiliation. Such a system is also an opportunity to strengthen the city’s image as a unique, vibrant and welcoming community.

Why a Visitor Wayfinding System?

Visitors are a key component in any community’s economic development plan for two reasons: Visitors come to spend money and visitors come back to stay and to invest.

The revitalization of downtown was based on restructuring the downtown economy to attract visitors which is a now a major industry. Domestic visitors spent $108.3 million in 2010 in Craven County.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Riverwalk/Swiss Bear/Council Bluff Green...improving public spaces

From an economic standpoint, creating new and improved public spaces and development opportunities on the downtown waterfront including a continuous riverfront promenade from Tryon Palace all the way around to Council Bluff Green is a primary component of the original Central Business District Revitalization Plan, developed in 1977 when downtown was at a critical junction in its evolution.

Like many special projects over the past 32 years, Swiss Bear raised money privately to initiate projects by assisting with its funding.  Historically our revitalization program has been based on building partnerships with the private sector to assist with public facility improvements.  This high level of participation and commitment by the private sector is a key component in the success of the revitalization of the downtown historic district and its waterfront redevelopment.  The addition of private sector funds also allows improvement projects and amenities to be a high quality product. Major contributions from community leaders and professionals have been the impetus for undertaking numerous projects. Council Bluff Green is one of those projects.

Improvements to this park was very important as it would complete the northern section of the City's Riverwalk/waterfront promenade and Swiss Bear believed the investment of public and private funds to improve this public space would  serve as a catalyst to promote public access in front of several privately owned commercial developments along the Neuse waterfront.



Council Bluff Green - today



Council Bluff Green is a beautiful two-block riverfront long park on the north side of Broad Street originally developed in the early 1930’s. Over the years, it like the downtown deteriorated and fell into a state of disrepair. This historic site is “ where Native Americans of the Chattawka nation held tribal councils, where early settlers built their homes and where a Post Road was constructed to link New Bern with communities to the west. Baron Christopher deGraffenried purchased from the Native Americans, this fork of land between the Neuse and Trent Rivers for his New Bern settlement”. It was probably at Council Bluff that the land transaction was sealed with an elaborate ceremony described by the baron in his memoirs.





Council Bluff Green - Before



Following on the heels of our successful Put Your Mark on the Park campaign in the mid-1990’s that raised $350,000 to assist the City with improvements to Union Point Park, Swiss Bear, with the City’s approval, embarked on the Help Pave the Way fundraising campaign to improve Council Bluff Green.  The campaign used the same strategy, selling engraved bricks, paver’s, granite panels and benches and raised $168,000. Campaign funds were then transferred to the City for re-development of the park, which included storm sewer improvements a new promenade, streetlights, furniture and trees.

Susan Moffat-Thomas

Executive Director