Pedestrian Connections...major contributors to downtown's walkability, sense of place and interaction

To create a downtown that will attract a diverse concentrated mix of uses and foster economic interaction among these uses, it is essential to encourage people through the downtown core on foot. One of the priority objectives in revitalization planning is to establish an attractive system of pedestrian connections. In downtown New Bern, prior to the revitalization effort, pedestrian circulation occurred almost exclusively along the sidewalks with stores facing the walks and streets.

According to the summary of existing conditions in the 1977 Downtown Revitalization Plan, pedestrian access from the mid-block parking lots to the shops that fronted Middle, Pollock and Craven Streets were inadequate, in some cases dangerous and generally unattractive. The 1977 Plan proposed an open space system for the entire redevelopment effort starting at the bulkhead of the urban renewal property along the Trent River and continuing along the Neuse River to connect with the historic residential and commercial district. The Plan envisioned connecting mid-block parking lots to shopping streets, creating additional walking path systems through the city that would extend out to the waters edge (Riverwalk) system.  

The 1990 Urban Design Plan, initiated and coordinated by Swiss Bear in partnership with the City, reiterated the importance of pedestrian connections and recommended existing through-block pedestrian connections be improved and enhanced. As a result, Church Alley (between Remax and Tom’s Coins), the walkway between First Baptist Church and O. Marks, and the walkway along the Century 21 building from South Front into the interior parking area and the alley between Morgan’s Tavern and the adjacent building were improved to include paving, some with lighting and landscaping. Swiss Bear’s fundraising drive to purchase the bear sculptures in Bear Plaza (the first mid-block pedestrian park created in 1981 with special Municipal Tax District funds) was so successful the additional money was used to purchase new lighting for the Plaza. James Reed Lane was developed in 1995 and a new through-block connection was created when the four story Middle Street East building (200 block) was constructed in the mid-1990’s

Downtown New Bern’s pedestrian connections play an important role in creating a strong sense of community. Our walkable downtown  offers a sense of place with  a mix of restaurants, retail, galleries, attractions, offices, parks and housing that promote interaction. Since the downtown economy thrives on accessibility, networking, creativity and a sense of community, interaction is key.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Church Alley under construction

Church Alley - completed 1993

Bear Plaza under construction 1979-1980

Bear Plaza Dedication 1980

Rear of Pool Hall

James Reed Lane under construction

James Reed Lane completed 1996

Federal Alley Parking Lot
Before Redevelopment

Federal Alley Interior Parking Lot
Before Redevelopment

James Reed Lane - creating through-block pedestrian linkages

  

Old Pool Hall
Demolished in 1990's for creation of a

mid-block pedestrian park

James Reed Lane
under construction

  

James Reed Lane - Today
300 Block of Pollock Street





In 1994, when Swiss Bear heard the owner of the old pool hall was considering selling it, with approval from  the Municipal Service District Advisory Committee and the City, Swiss Bear Board member Stewart Smith approached the owner  and worked out an agreement for the City to purchase the building. Acquiring the property was a long term goal as creating through-block pedestrian linkages  was recommended in the 1977 Revitalization Plan and the 1990 Urban Design Plan. This small one-story building was in poor repair, without architectural distinction and its removal would allow a dramatic direct view of the steeple of the Episcopal Church, mirroring the view of the First Baptist through Church Alley.

Swiss Bear hired Allison Platt & Associates to design a plan for the space with plantings, old brick from the streets of New Bern, street lights, benches and a three-tier fountain. Following demolition of the old building by the City, the project was put on hold as the MSD funds  (an additional tax paid by downtown property owners for public improvements) were committed for streetscape improvements to the 100/200 blocks of Middle Street.

Swiss Bear met the challenge to move the project forward and worked to raise funds and find an appropriate name for the mid-block pedestrian park. Reverend Edward Sharp, Christ Episcopal Church had been a strong supporter of the revitalization effort and Swiss Bear. When I asked for his assistance to recommend a name for the park, he spent a great deal of time researching the project. Through his efforts, the New Bern Board of Aldermen approved our request to name the park James Reed Lane in memory and honor of this 18^th century pioneer in public education. After 230 years, the Reverend James Reed, first rector of Christ Church received belated public recognition for his role in establishing in New Bern, North Carolina’s first incorporated school in 1764.

The City agreed to provide the labor for development of the space if we could raise funds to pay for construction materials, streetlights, benches and planting materials. We initiated a campaign and successfully raised $60,000 with Reverend Sharp’s support. Additional funding for the beautiful three-tier cast iron fountain was contributed by Dr. and Mrs. Harry MacDonald in honor of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.J. MacDonald. John C. Thomas constructed the abstract wood wall hanging and donated and placed the brownstone plaque in the sidewalk that recognizing the MacDonald’s contribution. Contributors to the project are listed on a bronze plaque on the  brick wall facing the park.  

The dedication celebration, held February 25^th was well attended. In addition to remarks from Reverend Sharp, the Swiss Bear Director and Chairman,  Patrick Dorsey, North Carolina Secretary of Cultural Resources was the keynote speaker.

This mid-block pedestrian park is another amenity  that enhances the “walkability and sense of place” of our historic downtown.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

ELKS' TEMPLE...New Bern's tallest and most prominent commercial building

Elks Building following stablization by
Empire Properties

The Elks’ Temple building was built in 1908 for the Elks Lodge during one of New Bern’s greatest boom periods. The first floor housed a department store, the second, third and fourth professional offices and the fifth was the Elks reception room and Lodge. Over the post WWII years, the advent of the automobile led to the exodus to the suburbs and growth and development followed. In the mid 1980’s, lack of income to maintain the building and dwindling Lodge memberships led to their decision to sell the building.

In 1987, architect, Earl Applegate purchased the 30,000 square foot building with the intent to rehabilitate the five floors and sell them individually as condominium units. Over the next ten years when this strategy didn’t work, the gradual deterioration led to the city’s intervention through an ordinance “demolition by neglect”. When the repairs required by the City were not made by the owner, the architect was required to negotiate with several developers who were interested in purchasing the building.

In October 2007, Greg Hatem, owner of Empire Properties in Raleigh, purchased the property for $1million after the contract to purchase it by Conrad Properties, St. Louis, MO fell through. In 2008, initial steps taken including ridding it of asbestos, clearing out the debris, draining the water out of the basement, gutting the interior and stabilizing the exterior of the building and its windows  which took four or five months at a cost of $500,000+.

Plans to move forward with the multi-million dollar renovation were stymied in 2009-2010, like many other construction projects across the nation, with the economic downturn. Last fall, at the request of Empire Properties, a Swiss Bear ad hoc committee met with representatives of the banking, development and investment community to see if a strategy could be developed to help move the project forward.

The challenge, this and other development projects are facing in this economy, is to acquire construction financing from a financial institution who, in addition to their normal credit underwriting and due diligence, require pre-conditions to be met before making a formal loan commitment which may include leases for a minimum of a full-floor for a term of no fewer than five years plus another sources of funding to cover the tax credit equity funding. Until the economy and current lending conditions improve, the project is on hold.  This project, like many others over the past 30 years, will be completed at some point in time.

       In the meantime, we appreciate Greg Hatem and Empire Properties for the time and money his firm has invested in the purchase and stabilization of the building. The rehabilitation of New Bern’s tallest and most prominent commercial will move forward when it is financially feasible.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director



Architectural details on the 5th story



Prior to major street scape improvements
and placement of utilities underground

Carolina Creations...adding to downtown's rich diversity

Jan Francoeur
Carolina Creations

The essence of downtown is diversity, with a range of choice in things to do and see, drawing people throughout the day and evening.  The essence of downtown’s business community is also about diversity. For the most part, the downtown business owners are independent people, from many different cities, and many different reasons for opening a business in our downtown including being a part of a successful revitalization effort. Many people over the past 30 years have opened businesses, some for a short duration and others have endured.

Jan & Michael Francoeur
Owners, Carolina Creations

One of the businesses that endured is Carolina Creations, owned by Jan and Michael Francoeur, originally from Michigan. Carolina Creations is a beautiful gallery shop filled with high quality art, Jan and Michael’s, and 300 local, regional and nationally known artists. After six years of adventurous carefree living in Colorado and traveling through numerous states in a motor home, they decided it was time to settle down---their criteria “a place that was on the way but hadn’t gotten there yet, on the water (Michigan natives need to be near the water to be happy) and in a beautiful setting”. 

New Bern’s warm response to  their letters of inquiry won them over. They arrived in 1989, traded the motor home in for a boat and lived on it for three years at the then new Ramada Inn & Marina (now the  BridgePointe Hotel and Marina). After opening a studio and partnering with several other artists in a space on Middle Street, her work sold so well, Michael closed his business and they opened their own gallery/shop in what was Bryant McLeod’s Men Clothing Store on Pollock Street.

Fourteen successful years later, they partnered with Maune Belangia Faulkenberry Architects, bought the building at 317 Pollock (formerly a Chinese restaurant) and renovated it for retail on the first floor and offices on the second floor. They also rehabbed a historic home and built a new three story residence and studio several blocks from Carolina Creations…downtowners through and through!

Thanks to people like Jan and Michael and the many others who have invested time, talent and money, a once dying downtown is filled with a rich and diverse mixture of people, businesses, residences, retail, and cultural activity. Long gone are the days when the number of businesses were minimal in number and the majority of property downtown was owned by absentee owners not inclined to invest in the physical improvements so important to the revitalization effort.

  

Downtown’s effort was long and difficult. The essential leadership from the City, Swiss Bear, business owners and investors, the ingenuity and persistence of those who took on  the task of shaping the downtown community led to its success. This rich diversity, on-going commitment and investment  by the local business community is also vitally  important to the sustainability of our beautiful historic downtown.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Chinese Resturant
now Carolina Creations

Old Pool Hall
now James Reed Lane

Carolina Creations Today

A Beautiful New Dance Hall/Multipurpose Center in Downtown New Bern

Kudos and three cheers for Joyce Price, Beth Carole Beach and Mary Servalli.

These three special  ladies had the vision and grit to tackle the massive renovation of  Stanley Hall,  249 Craven Street, on the second floor of the Stanley Building at the corner of Pollock and Craven Street.  A ribbon cutting on Friday, July 20 celebrated the completion of what is now a banquet, conference, music and dance venue featuring 3,600 square feet of a multipurpose hall, forty-five feet wide extending the full eighty foot depth of the building.

The Stanley Hall Ballroom is now the home of the Rivertowne Ballroom with Friday open dances, Monday dance classes and Wednesday night Line Dance and Zumba classes. The beautifully restored space with its large dance floor of heart pine, beautiful chandeliers and dramatic staircase makes this the perfect venue for wedding receptions, benefits and or special events for groups up to 200 people. Access to the hall is through a tall recessed door and staircase on Pollock Street or through an entrance and elevator on Craven Street.

The building was originally built in 1874 by Edward R. Stanley, a prominent merchant initially serving as a dance hall. Over the years it has been used for many purposes including a court room, gymnasium for athletic events, YMCA rooms, the town’s post office until the Federal Post Office and Court House Building (now City Hall) was built in the 1890’s.

*  Most recently it served as an office center.  

Prior to the 2008 economic downturn, a developer had purchased and gutted the upper story for renovation as residential condominiums. When Joyce saw the interior space, never realizing what was over her  ground level dance studio, she knew this would be the perfect location for the expansion of the studio. Her enthusiasm spread to Beth Carole and Mary and after many months of renovation, this incredible space has come full circle 138 years later and is once again a dance hall.  

For more information go to www.rivertowneballroom.com  or call 252-637-2003.

*The Historic Architecture of New Bern and Craven County by

  Peter Sandbeck

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Renovations - Stanley Hall

Renovations - Stanley Hall

Renovations - Stanley Hall

Renovations - Stanley Hall

Stanley Hall
Grand Opening July 2012
Photo courtesy of Nate Skipper

O.Marks/Coplon Building...a long and interesting story



Coplon Building occupied by
Montgomery Ward until 1964



O. Marks Building Purchased by Belk in 1937



Metal facade uniting the two buildings into one Belk Dept. Store

The O. Marks building at 233 Middle Street has a long and interesting history. The building was originally two separate buildings. The three story portion, adjacent to the First Baptist Church, was constructed in 1915-16 for Oscar Marks & Son to house their expanded dry goods and shoe sales operations. Following Oscar Marks death in 1921, business declined and the firm closed its doors in 1927. The building remained vacant for four years until it was used as a Chrysler dealership. In 1937, Belk Department Store purchased the building and replaced the original storefront with large tin panels to “modernize” the façade and replaced the windows with glass brinks in the 1940’s and 1950’s.  

The two story section on the south side was built in 1927 for the Coplon Investment Company and occupied by Montgomery Ward’s until 1964 when it was leased by the Belk Department Store. The same large metal blocks were added to the façade to unite the two buildings into one, creating a  major anchor building in the central business district.

Belk remained downtown until 1979 when it joined in the exodus to the suburbs and relocated in the new Twin Rivers Mall. The large 57,000 square foot monolithic building added to the growing number of vacant deteriorating buildings, adding to downtown’s decline.

In a future blog, I will relate the challenges/hurdles Swiss Bear overcame that led to the rehabilitation of this major downtown anchor by a partnership of five committed New Bernians.  

Primary source: Historic Architecture of New Bern and Craven County, North Carolina,  Peter B. Sandbeck

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

Taking to the Streets



City Manager updating board members
on South Front St. improvements

 The June Swiss Bear board meeting broke out of its usual format of meeting from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. in the Chamber meeting room last Thursday. Following a brief up-date, Mike Epperson, City Manager and Mark Stephens, Director of Public Works conducted a tour of South Front Street from East Front to the Farmer’s Market discussing improvements that are underway and streetscape improvements scheduled to be completed within the year.

Parking lot at Craven and
Hotel Service Dr.

Manager discussing additional
parking in Farmer's Mkt parking lot

To address parking concerns, Public Works is putting parking signs up directing people to the parking lot at Craven and Hotel Service Drive. The tall bushes that obscured the lot have been removed and will be replaced with low smaller shrubs. The lot, developed in the late 1990’s with Municipal Service District (MSD)funds, was reserved for businesses that leased spaces. Since few spaces were actually leased, the decision was recently made to open it up for public parking with the exception of the leased spaces. Parking signage will also be put up on Craven Street to identify the parking lot adjacent to Morgan’s Tavern (the spaces leased by Morgan’s are now clearly marked with signage), on Broad Street directing people to the City lot at the corner of New and Hancock Street and at the Farmer’s Market.    

Streetscape improvements to South Front Street (100, 200, 300 block) are scheduled to begin in early 2013 with completion by late April. Improvements include new sidewalks, street lights (using the same paving materials in other up-dated blocks) and landscaping. This project is being funded with MSD tax money, an additional $.13 ad valorem tax per hundred for property owners in the 12 core block area.  The 400 block will be included if bids come in low enough…If not, the block will be improved at a later date.

City lot at corner of Craven
and South Front St

We are excited South Front Street will be improved. The streetscape improvements will tie the urban renewal area and central business district together, a long term goal, and enhance the South Front gateway to the NC History Center.

Special thanks to Mike and Mark. We all  agreed it was good to actually go out and see what will take place and we plan to do it again when the comprehensive Goody Clancy report on the greater Five Points area is finalized and approved.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director