Wayfinding Sign System: enhancing the visitor's stay

The New Bern Board of Aldermen’s recent acceptance of the bid from Signs Etc. of Charlotte for fabrication of a wayfinding sign system brings to conclusion a project originally initiated in 1993.

In the Post World War II era, with the increase of auto and truck mobility, the widening of Broad Street and removal of parking on East Front to accommodate traffic on the state roads, the proliferation of signs with no uniformity leading to and through the downtown made it confusing and difficult for visitors to navigate and reach their downtown destination.

From the beginning, the downtown effort focused on restructuring downtown’s economic base by establishing a new market of recreation and tourism. By the late 1980’s, downtown New Bern was becoming a “destination” and tourism was now the County’s fourth largest industry.

In 1993, Design Guidelines for the streetscape improvements recommended in the1990 Urban Design Plan were designed by Allison Platt & Associates.  In conjunction with this project, at Swiss Bear’s request, the *Municipal Service District Advisory Committee (MSD) approved funding to hire Mortar&ink, a graphic design firm in Columbia, MD to develop a wayfinding sign system to include gateway entry monument signs, vehicular directional signs, trail blazer signs (one or two destinations with an arrow), pedestrian directional signs, identity signs for streets and places and street banners.

Funding to implement the system was key and every potential opportunity was explored including approaching NCDOT. On July 29, 1993, through the efforts of Bob Mattocks, NCDOT Division II Board of Transportation member, he, myself and Eileen Tennor of Mortar&ink, met with officials with the N.C. Department of Transportation, the Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Travel and Tourism and the Division of Parks and Recreation.

In our presentation we asked the state to consider adapting the concept of New Bern’s wayfinding sign system for state-wide application to promote the state tourism program by using New Bern as a model project.  Uniform state wayfinding sign systems, picking up where highway signs end on the interstate and state roads, would guide visitors from the periphery to featured tourist attractions/destinations throughout the state and communities. 

To our delight, they were interested and created a task force with representatives from each department to explore the state’s participation and/or development of this concept. In the end the project was deemed unfeasible, requiring changes to existing regulations that was cost prohibitive.

However, when the streetscape improvements were completed on Middle Street in mid-1990, the design for street banners (as part of the sign system) was embraced and the MSD Advisory Committee approved funding for production costs. The red and gold banners and pendants and bear logo, hanging from the banner arms on the new street lights have added festivity and color to the downtown streetscape for many years.

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 addition, the new New Bern Riverfront Convention Center, construction of the new NC History Center and an increase in tourist and convention trade, were creating issues for visitors and citizens alike.

In 2007, thanks to, then, State Rep. Alice Underhill, the City’s 300 Celebration Committee was awarded a $50,000 grant from N.C. Department of Cultural Resources to be used for anniversary celebration projects. Since a major goal in preparation for the 300th Celebration was developing projects that would have lasting outcomes, the Committee used the grant to engage Allison Platt & Associates to prepare a master plan for the completion of the Riverwalk and hire Mortar&ink to develop a comprehensive visitor wayfinding sign system incorporating the bear motif on the city flag honoring New Bern’s relationship with Bern, Switzerland.

Steering Committee members, Susan Moffat-Thomas, project chair, Danny Meadows, Mike Avery, Annette Stone, Kay Williams, Tom McGraw, Linda Staunch, Sandy Chamberlain, Nelson McDaniel and Bill Naumann worked with Mortar&ink over the course of two years.  The scope of the plan was immense. In addition to approving the graphic designs for the system of signs, all visitor destinations (government, parks and trails, museums and historic sites, parking, attractions and public facilities) had to be identified.

Both the selection of sites for the signs and the nomenclature used to name them required careful consideration as visitors are directed from interstate roads from specific exits into the city along designated visitor corridors. In the end, a total of 132 signs were approved and an implementation plan completed. By 2009, the comprehensive package was ready for the city to bid out for fabrication and installation; however, the economy’s downturn put funding for the project on hold. Costs for fabrication and installation were estimated at $210,000. Installation by the city would reduce the cost to approximately $140,000.

In 2012, Bob Mattocks and I met with NCDOT Division II Board member, Hugh Overholt and Division II Engineer, Neil Lassiter requesting financial assistance to help fund this City project. With DOT’s commitment of $100,000, Swiss Bear submitted a grant request to the Craven County Tourism Development Authority and received a commitment of $35,000. 

In 2013, when the City initiated the Branding project, implementation of the sign system project was put on hold. With the City’s adoption of the new brand, the graphic designs (with the bear motif) were replaced with the new logo, although the implementation plan, defining locations for signage etc. remained in place.

Visitor wayfinding signage, a project envisioned 20 years ago will soon be installed. Through the signage, the Five Points area will become an adjunct to the downtown retail core. The cultural texture of the City will be enriched, visitor destinations will multiply, and expanding options will increase visitorship and pedestrian connections. 

*Defined 12 block area downtown in which property owners are assessed an additional $.13 per hundred ad valorum tax to fund downtown public improvements.  

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Council Bluff Green Project - paving the way

Swiss Bear and the Council Bluff Green
spearheaded improvements to the Neuse River waterfront
park between Broad and Change streets.

Historically, Swiss Bear’s revitalization program has been based on building partnerships with the private sector to assist the City of New Bern with public facility improvements, all of which promote the general interest and quality of life for visitors and Craven County residents. The redevelopment of Union Point Park and Council Bluff Green were two of those projects.

In 1997, when the Union Point Park Put Your Mark on the Park fundraising campaign was still underway, the new Neuse River Bridge was under construction. Its completion in the fall of 1999 would require the removal of the old Neuse River Bridge at the end of Broad Street.

At the Nov. 27 Swiss Bear Board meeting, I presented plans/drawings developed by Dick Smith, Smith Design Group of improvements to the Neuse River waterfront park between Broad and Change streets. The park, constructed in the 1930’s on a historic site, was in need of major improvements. The sidewalk and retaining wall systems were deteriorated, cracked and uneven. Amenities such as lighting, benches, trash receptacles and seating areas needed to be upgraded.

By March 1999, more than $120,000 was raised for the
Pave the Way campaign.

Our board was unanimous in their support of another fundraising effort as they recognized it was important to take advantage of this opportunity to assist the city in improving the entire park. To be known as Council Bluff Green, the narrow stretch of land has been historically important for centuries. It 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 Newberne with communities to the west. The restoration and preservation of this historic site was important to New Bern and improvements to Council Bluff would serve as a catalyst for development of the adjacent site and would complete the northern section of the city’s waterfront promenade.

The City’s commitment to the construction of a new police station, Union Point Park and Pollock Street (300 block) improvements prevented their ability to provide any funds other than $48,000 earmarked for critical stabilization work, and if approved, a $50,000 grant from the N.C. Coastal Waterfront Access Program (CAMA).

Due to their financial commitments, the Board of Aldermen was concerned we would not be able to raise the additional $150,000 needed to complete redevelopment of the park. To assure them we could, we received pre-campaign commitments of more that $50,000 from 13 families. In April 1998, a month after the Put Your Mark on the Park campaign ended, the Council Bluff Project was sanctioned and officially approved by the Board of Aldermen.

Based on Smith Design Group’s development plans, the project consisted of the redevelopment of the 600 foot long linear waterfront access area which included demolition of existing deteriorated structures, storm sewer improvements, construction of a new promenade using brick and exposed aggregate concrete, adjustment of the granite curbing at the street’s edge, landscaping, refurbishing existing railings, planter urns, bulk heading and planting the area with major and minor trees.

The Pave the Way campaign would raise funds by selling bricks, pavers, sections of aggregate, urns, lighting and benches. As was the case with all of our fundraising campaigns, the money received was put in a special bank account and was turned over to the city at the end of the campaign.

In an Oct. 2, 1998 letter to Mike Avery, director of planning and inspections, Donna Moffitt, director of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, congratulated the City as a recipient of a $50,000 grant, and stated “the project should be completed just as it was in the proposed development plans unless modified by mutual agreement.”

By March 1999, more than $120,000 was raised. Major contributors included Craven County, Rob and Claudia Hubbard, the Kellenberger Historical Foundation and the Swank Foundation. 

In April, Swiss Bear and the City was caught off-guard as controversy arose when the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) raised concerns during the pre-application process for a Certificate of Appropriateness (CA) regarding the original design, number of light fixtures and trees. The controversy intensified in May when the project in a 6 to 3 vote was denied a CA, based on issues with the palette of materials, lights, trees and benches.

Many residents of the Council Bluff Green neighborhood offered support, those who contributed were unhappy with the outcome.

Letters to the editor complained, “the project had too many trees and benches … the only publicized plans were concept boards and the plan on the fundraising brochures ... city and Swiss Bear put the cart before the horse, prior to selling bricks the concept should have been brought before the HPC from the beginning.”

Many defended Swiss Bear, questioning “the motives of the critics … the project had been endorsed and sanctioned by the City, New Bern Historical Society, New Bern Preservation Foundation, New Bern Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Development Authority and Craven Arts Council and Civic Theatre from the start of the campaign and the concept/plans were well-known … let’s move out from the power play.”

The modified plans, with fewer trees and lights and the exposed aggregate concrete along the promenade sandblasted to soften its appearance, resubmitted to the HPC in June were approved. The City put the project out for bids awarding the contract to L. R. Thomas & Sons, Inc. and construction began in late fall due to delays created by Hurricane Floyd. Pave the Way officially ended in August having raised approximately $160,000.

On July 16, 2000, Mayor Bayliss, the New Bern Board of Aldermen, Pave the Way Steering Committee members: Susan Moffat Thomas, David L Ward, Jr., Charles H. Ashford, Jr. and Rev. C Edward Sharp, representatives from Swiss Bear, the various organizations and the community  joined together to celebrate the restoration of this historic site. A prayer by Teresa Morris, a Tuscarora descendant closed the dedication ceremony.

The success of the campaign/project like many others was due to the high level of participation and support from local government, area organizations, businesses and the community-at-large.

North Carolina Main Street Award Winners...

Video Links:

MUMFEST Award of Merit 2013

NC Main Street Champion - Judy Avery

The Bears in Bear Plaza: Turning an alley into a venue

The bears in Bear Plaza are a well-loved downtown
attraction providing a tangible reminder of our close ties
to Bern, Switzerland
                                                      Photo courtesy R.Scungio

As I related in a previous article, to achieve walkabilty, the 1977 Downtown Revitalization Plan, commissioned by the Downtown Revitalization Committee and the City of New Bern, envisioned connecting mid-block parking lots to shopping streets, creating additional walking path systems.

To begin to accomplish that goal, the City responded to the Committee’s request to purchase the Middle Street lot, vacated when the Coplon Smith Department Store burned down in the mid-1970s, which connected to the interior municipal parking lot known as Federal Alley.

The Committee provided the leadership in getting downtown property owners and merchants to request formation of the Municipal Tax District in the area bounded by (Tryon Palace Drive), South Front, Pollock and Middle in which they would pay an additional tax of $.50 per hundred ad valorem valuation. The MSD was created in 1980 with the understanding the additional tax money would go toward physical improvements in that defined area.

In 1980, Bear Plaza was the first project undertaken and completed using these funds. Development of Bear Plaza, a mid-block park included a pavilion, several benches and lights.

In the spring of 1993, John Edwards, owner of Trent Power Equipment Company in Merritt, N.C., met with me requesting Swiss Bear consider purchasing for $10,000, three large bear sculptures he had on his property that had been carved with a chainsaw. He had to close his business and thought they would be an asset to downtown as public art.

My response, “we will give it consideration” was essentially a polite way to avoid saying outright I was not enthusiastic about his proposal. Having never seen the sculptures, I assumed anything carved from logs with a chain saw would be very crude and not suitable for our downtown.

Over the next six months his persistent calls paid off. When I drove to the site of his business I was amazed and delighted. The largest was a twelve foot black bear and the two eight feet tall sculptures were of a single bear with a fish in its mouth and the other of two cubs chasing a raccoon up a tree. They were very well done, would be a great addition to Bear Plaza and a bargain at his final asking price of $4,500.

In November 1993, Edwards gave the City permission to relocate the bears from his property to Bear Plaza and Swiss Bear was given an option to purchase them, contingent upon raising the funds necessary to cover the purchase price by July 1, 1994.

In the early spring of 1994, Swiss Bear spearheaded a campaign in cooperation with the City to provide a permanent home for the three major wood sculptures offering the public a range of donation levels from $10 to $500+. All contributors would receive a small ceramic bear, made for this project by Janice Parker, and their names recorded on a commemorative plaque(s) for permanent display in Bear Plaza.

The community’s response was outstanding and the campaign raised $12,000. The additional money was used to purchase and install new lights and landscape the Plaza. On Nov. 20, 1994, a well-attended dedication was held and Swiss Bear formally turned over ownership of the bears to the city; public art to be enjoyed for many years to come...or so we thought.

By the late 1990s the bears were in a state of deterioration. Termites, wood beetles and exposure to the elements were taking their toll. Jeth Lindsy, artist and owner of Art of the Wild, was a dedicated volunteer steward in repairing and maintaining the bear’s, but it was a losing battle. The numerous attempts to preserve them failed and they were finally removed from the Plaza when they became a safety hazard.

In the meantime, with the Municipal District Advisory Committee’s approval to fund up to $8,600 for three new bear sculptures, the challenge became finding an artist to replicate the existing sculptures. The Committee agreed new bears should be carved from cypress (a more durable wood) in the same configuration in respect for all those who contributed to the original purchase.  After much research, thanks to John Sturman, owner of Bern Bear Gifts, we were able to contact Tom Penny, who carved the three bears for John Edwards. Originally from Canada, we were happy to learn Penny was now residing in Myrtle Beach. He quoted a price of $10,000, with the major cost being able to purchase/acquire logs of an adequate size to carve the big bear.  Penny said we could deduct 10% from the cost if we furnished the wood.

When Little Joe Weatherington, North Carolina Forest Products, Inc, was able to find and donate cypress logs for the bears, Mr.  Penny agreed to carve the three bears for $8,600. He carved the two smaller bears prior to Mumfest and to promote the project and have an additional attraction, Penny began carving the large “papa” bear during the festival.

When the bears were placed in the Plaza the following spring, metal brackets were constructed to hold the bears above the treated concrete bases allowing air to circulate and eliminate possible infestation. The New Bern Garden Club planted numerous plants and flowers adding to the park’s beautification.

The bears in Bear Plaza are a well-loved downtown attraction providing a tangible reminder of our close ties to Bern, Switzerland...and like the numerous other Swiss Bear projects, the community made it happen.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director, Swiss Bear Downtown Development

Program helps build a small town's image

In October 1987, New Bern was one of 15 communities selected from 61 potential communities in the Main Street programs of Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina, to participate in the Pride In Place: Small Town Image Building Program.

Pride In Place was a collaborative program sponsored by the North Carolina Arts Council, South Carolina Arts Commission and Tennessee’s Arts Commission. Main Street co-sponsors were the North Carolina Main Street Center, South Carolina Downtown Development Association and the Tennessee Main Street Project.

The program matched and provided a resource team of architects, urban planners, art directors and preservationist to spend three days in a town to review the issues and opportunities presented by the community, determine its feasibility and to design a conceptual framework in which it might occur.

In the application, the Swiss Bear director noted the issues and opportunities were to determine if it would be feasible to renovate the vacant 23,000 square foot Kress Building into a cultural arts/conference meeting center type facility and the five-story Elks Temple (75 percent vacancy) into a modern public office/mixed use facility. Downtown was faced with a lack of adequate meeting space for larger groups wishing to hold conventions in New Bern and there was need for a cultural arts center to serve area residents.

Both buildings and a vacant parcel of land on Hancock Street were available for development. The Kress Building, in the 300 block of Middle Street, recently donated to the city by C.C. Robinson of Elizabeth City, appeared to have the potential for meeting New Bern’s need for a cultural arts and conference center.

A small group meets to discuss the
Kress building

Declining memberships and poor maintenance led to the Elks Lodge membership’s interest in selling the Elks Temple, at the corner of Pollock and Middle Street. The city’s need for additional office space and the potential/feasibility of rehabbing the building, a pivotal commercial downtown landmark, for this purpose needed to be explored and the vacant lot (on Hancock Street) had adequate parking. The Kress Building was within three blocks of two hotels and four inns and four blocks from two other hotels. With the increase of tourism, lack of meeting space for small conventions and cultural activities was beginning to hamper downtown’s expanding tourism market.

Swiss Bear organized the team’s three day stay in February 1988 that included meetings with state representatives, county commissioners, the Mayor and Aldermen, downtown merchants, members of the Craven Arts Council, Tourism Development Authority, New Bern Historical Society, New Bern Preservation Foundation New Bern Civic Theatre, Tryon Palace and the New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce. The team, which worked inside the Kress Building during its visit, heard many positive comments from the public and an evening open house meeting drew more than 200 people. The dialogue and synergy between the community and the team resulted in a proposal/report that went beyond the original request.

The team members, Nancy Howell, executive director, Lancaster County Council for the Arts, S.C.; Ray Huff, architect, Charleston, S.C.; John Jaques, professor of architecture, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C.; John Morgan, economic development, Columbia, S.C.; Stroud Watson, urban designer and professor of architecture, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, were immediately impressed by the over-all beauty and scale of the town and its surroundings. After listening to presentations by the city, county and various organizations, the team clearly understood the sense of purpose in the downtown effort and the importance of maintaining its sense of place.

While the team’s immediate task was to investigate the potential re-use of the Kress and Elks Buildings, this action needed to be viewed within the context of the downtown as a whole.

They were very impressed with the city’s “ideal plan” prepared in 1710. The nine blocks of the original settlement and the Tryon Palace grounds, set apart within the neighborhood immediately to the south of the downtown, bordered on the converging rivers forming the town’s northern and eastern edges. As the town grew and the nine blocks filled in with buildings, certain potentials and problems emerged they identified as:

Legibility: It was important to provide visual clues so visitors could find their way within the downtown. It was difficult to gain a sense of direction/orientation with many landmarks and few vistas to specific points.

Circulation: Broad Street should have a visual emphasis as the major north/south connector; Pollock Street emphasized as the link between Tryon Palace and the Neuse River; and, Middle Street as the major shopping street with its link to the Trent River.

Open space: New buildings constructed to the sidewalk’s edge with parking and open space in mid-block areas. Landscape those areas and preserve the beautiful greenery surrounding Christ Church.

River edges: Steps should be taken to carefully plan for the futures of the river edges. Public access, visual corridors, community functions etc. needed to be choreographed with commercial development in order to ensure this most valuable physical asset is enjoyed by all.

The team recommended New Bern should locate a convention/conference center along the river-edge as part of a coordinated plan. Union Point Park needed to be redeveloped along with other forms of public and private community-oriented activities along the scenic waterways.

Consistent lighting standards, special pavers, festive banners and well-designed street furniture were needed to provide further clarity in the downtown.

Their main task led to the conclusion the city would soon need a full service conference center. The short-term conferencing needs could be alleviated by renovating the Kress building for meeting room, break out spaces and exhibitions areas, however, a conference/convention center should be developed as part of a coordinated river edge development program. They determined the Elks Temple was adaptable for office or residential uses at the upper levels and retail at the lower level.

Their final recommendation: commission an Urban Design Plan to develop a long-range plan for the future development of downtown New Bern. The progress of the city now depends on redefining current issues and addressing them.

Becoming a Main Street City

With the establishment of Swiss Bear in 1979 and a local downtown effort in progress, under the leadership of Mayor Leander Morgan, City Planner David Rowland applied to the NC Department of Natural Resources and Community Development in 1980 for New Bern to be a participant in the state’s new Main Street Program.  In 1981, New Bern, along with Shelby, Washington, Tarboro and Salisbury were chosen out of a field of nearly 200 cities vying for the honor. The NC Main Street staff would provide guidance and encouragement but the degree of success would depend on the leadership invested in the program by the people of New Bern. Intensive training and technical assistance was provided during 1981 and the NC Main Street Center was available for follow-up consultation for two years. 

Based on the successful and comprehensive revitalization strategies developed in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s three original pilot towns in the 1970’s, the Main Street program’s goal is to encourage economic development within the context of historic preservation.

The Main Street Program combines four elements to create a well-balanced program.*

• Organization: Building partnerships to create a consistent revitalization program and    develop effective management and leadership downtown. Diverse groups - merchants,    bankers, public officials, chamber of commerce and civic groups - must work together to improve downtown.
• Promotion: Re-establishing downtown as a compelling place for shoppers, investors, and visitors. This means not only improving sales but also rekindling community excitement and involvement. Promotion ranges from street festivals to retail merchandising, from community education to marketing and public relations.
• Design: Enhancing the visual quality of the downtown. Attention is given to the downtown  environment elements – not just buildings and storefronts but also public improvements, rear entries, signs, landscaping, window displays and graphic materials.
• Economic Restructuring: Strengthening the existing economic assets of the business district while diversifying its economic base. Activities include conducting market analysis to understand the changing market place, adapting vacant buildings that have outlived their original purposes for use as entertainment or cultural facilities and sharpening the competitiveness of Main Street’s traditional merchants.

The initial step was the visit of a resource team of five consultants for a three day evaluation and meetings with local leaders and elected officials. The following is a summary of their final report presented to citizens as a framework for New Bern’s revitalization effort.

• David Rowland and Kay Williams (Swiss Bear’s newly hired executive director) should serve as co-project managers for New Bern’s Main Street Program.
• The local government should continue to support Swiss Bear financially for at least the     next three years.
• The city government and Swiss Bear should establish goals and objectives and a year    by-year schedule of improvements in the central business district.
• Swiss Bear should expand its activities in the areas of promotion, recruitment and retention of businesses, development of a revolving fund and a low interest loan-pool and facade improvements.
• Swiss Bear and the merchant's association should work together closely.
• The Chamber of Commerce should pursue a more aggressive tourism program in conjunction with the Main Street project.
• The off-street parking areas need to be improved with paving and landscaping.
• Street and traffic lights need to be improved.
• Facade and sign improvements must be implemented as soon as possible.
• The urban renewal area should be treated as a natural extension of downtown.
• The urban renewal area should be developed for housing rather than office or commercial use.
• The community needs to adopt a sophisticated development approach to fill vacant buildings and upper floors.    

The City, County and the Swiss Bear board formally adopted the Main Street approach as its strategy for downtown’s revitalization effort and served as a pivotal role in the organization of the local Main Street Program. By emphasizing the Main Street theme of self-help, the program provided the framework and opportunity for the merchants, the city and county government and the business community, everyone who had a vested interest in downtown, to come together.

Like all plans/reports, the recommendations were meant to suggest appropriate and effective steps in developing a program of achievable goals and objectives. Decisions by the public and private sector over the long term on development and redevelopment decisions provided a unified sense of direction for downtown’s future. Thanks to the energy and leadership invested in the program by Swiss Bear, the City, County, Chamber of Commerce, other nonprofit organizations and the citizens of New Bern over the past 35+ years, New Bern’s downtown effort is widely recognized in the state and nation as an award-winning Main Street success story.

Strategies and projects will be related in future columns.

*The NC Main Street Program is under the Dept. of Commerce. www.nccommerce.com

Municipal Services District: The funding mechanism

Middle St.
Streetscape Improvements

James Reed Lane



Bear Plaza




Craven @ Hotel Service Parking Lot



Among the 1977 Central Business District Revitalization Plan recommendations was development of mid-block pedestrian parks connecting with interior parking lots to supplement existing on-street parking and creation of a Municipal Service District (provided in the NC General Statutes) as a mechanism to fund a wide range of downtown revitalization projects. Also referred to as a BID (Business Improvement District) revenue is generated through imposition of a tax on owners of property subject to the ad valorem property tax in a defined district, not to exceed $1.50 per hundred valuation.

Effective July 1, 1978, at the property owner’s request, the City established the Municipal Service District (MSD) in four core blocks bounded by Craven, Middle, Hancock and Tryon Palace Drive (South Front Street).  The $.50 per $100 valuation, generating $250,000 over a three year period was used to develop Bear Plaza ($75,000) on a vacant Middle Street lot, the former site of the Coplon Smith Department Store that burned in the 1970”s. The interior of the mid-block park allowed convenient access (walkabilty) to the second MSD project known as the Federal Alley Parking Lot. The owners of 22 separate properties, ranging in size from 75 to 11,500 square feet in the interior block, signed a five year renewable agreement allowing the City to develop the interior area with MSD funds ($175,000) to be utilized as a common parking area.

In 1984, with the completion of the two projects, the rate was reduced to $.25, generating $24,000 annually. Seen as insufficient funds for any long term major improvements, Swiss Bear led the effort to expand the special tax district based on a plan of public improvements. Mayor Bengel and the Board of Aldermen approved and appointed a MSD Advisory Committee: Jim Chagaris, Virginia McSorley, Paul Johnson, Lou Steinberg, Blackie Stith, Lonnie Pridgen, Harold Talton and Susan Moffat.

They met in June ’85 to define objectives and explore expansion of the district to encompass the entire central business district so adequate funds could be generated to implement defined on-going public improvements. Smith Design Group was hired to develop general guidelines used to solicit property owner’s support to expand the district to encompass the area bounded by property on the north side of Broad Street, west side of Hancock Street to the shorelines of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. Following public hearings, the Board of Aldermen approved the expansion with the exclusion of vacant lots and residential property and reduced the tax rate to $.18 for that fiscal year.

In 2007, the MSD Committee discussed amending the 1986 ordinance to include all properties, residential, commercial and vacant land, as many residences had now become rental properties or converted for commercial.  Since the value of all property within the MSD had increased, many by 700-900%, the Committee believed all property owners in the MSD should be taxed as all properties were benefiting from the improvements. A review of the General Statue determined, when a boundary was defined and approved by the municipality, individual lots within that district (except those with nonprofit status) could not be exempted. Following several public hearings, on January 8, 2008, the Board of Aldermen adopted a resolution to incorporate previously excluded real property into the existing MSD.

Since its creation, MSD tax dollars provided the bulk of funding for numerous public projects; 12 blocks of major streetscape improvements, new streetlights, landscaping, street furniture, four parking lots, two mid-block pedestrian parks, two alleyways improved, design guidelines, special reports, purchase of the lot at the northwest  corner of Craven and South Front Street, personnel for litter pick-up, foot patrol and South Front Street streetscape improvements from East Front to Hancock Street that will begin in the very near future.

The commitment of property owner’s and involvement of the private sector has been vital to downtown’s success. The increase in property values within the MSD reinforces it.

MSD Property values 1979- 2012

• $8.75 million - 1979-80

• $63 million - 2002-2003

• $109,537,935 - 2009-2010

• $166,823,448 - 2010-2011

• $167,782,462 - 2011-2012

Swiss Bear coordinates the MSD meetings held quarterly at which time the City provides an up-date on funds and projects. The current tax rate is $.12.

Five Points Loan Pool Project...a strategy to encourage commercial development

Over the years, Swiss Bear initiated development of two Urban Design Plans and  many strategies to encourage the revitalization of the downtown, its waterfront and the Five Points commercial area. One of the strategies was the Five Points Loan Pool Program that was officially kicked-off June 10, 1994.

Swiss Bear, working in cooperation with eight area banks and members of SCORE established this new program designed to encourage commercial development in the Five Points area. Ricky Brown, City Executive for BB&T and Swiss Bear’s  Chairman led the effort in which eight local banks pooled collectively $1 million for loans for any worthwhile business purpose in the Five Points area, excluding refinancing of existing loans. New loans ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 were available for businesses (new or existing) within the area bounded by Cedar to Bern, Bern to Pollock, Pollock to Queen, Queen to First and First to Second to Cedar Street. The process was initiated by completing an application through the Swiss Bear office and the applicant then met with a small advisory group of volunteers from SCORE who provided assistance in developing a business plan, if needed, before meeting with a bank representative. The loan request was then reviewed by representatives from the eight banks, who made the final decision if the project met the guidelines and was eligible for the loan.

The program was in effect for two years and five loans were made, three for new businesses, one for expansion of an existing business and a fifth for the purchase of several lots and construction of a new building to relocate an existing business. SCORE Chairman, John Ronan worked closely with the woman who purchased the property which took several years to come to completion.

This project was one of many strategies in which the private sector worked together to encourage redevelopment of the greater downtown area. The commitment of so many made the difference and our city is all the better for it.

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

Meeting Accreditation Standards

We were just notified, Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corporation has received accreditation again, as a National Main Street Program, for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center®.

The NC Main Street Center, under the Department of Commerce, evaluated our organization’s performance in 2011 and determined we met the criteria and all ten performance standards. These standards of performance help keep the Main Street Program strong and focused state-wide and nationally.

The ten standards of performance Swiss Bear met for accreditation are:

·  Having a broad-based community support for the commercial

    district revitalization process, with strong support from both the

    public and private sectors.

·  Developed  vision and mission statements relevant to community

    conditions and to the local Main Street ® program’s

    organizational stage.

·  Have a comprehensive Main Street ® work plan.

·  Possess and exhibit a historic preservation ethic.

·  Have an active board of directors and committees.

·  Have an adequate operating budget.

·  Have a paid professional program manager.

·  Conduct a program of ongoing training for staff and volunteers.

·  Report key statistics.

·  A current member of the National Main Street Network®

    membership program. Information about the National Trust Main Street Center

Established in 1980, the National Trust Main Street Center® helps communities of all sizes revitalize their older and historic commercial districts. Working in more than 2,200 downtown's and urban neighborhoods over the last 30 years, the Main Street program has leveraged more than $53.6 billion in new public and private investment.  Participating communities have created 448,835 net new jobs and 104,961 net new businesses, and rehabilitated more than 229,164 buildings, leveraging an average of $18 in new investment for every dollar spent on their Main Street district revitalization efforts.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

Welcome to Swiss Bear's New Blog!

We are looking forward to keeping you posted on Swiss Bear's latest activities and downtown happenings.

Stay tuned for details and plans for the best and biggest MUMFEST ever, October 13 - 14, 2012, on downtown New Bern's streets and waterfront!


Regards from the Swiss Bear Staff,
Susan Moffat-Thomas, Executive Director
Danielle Glynn, Administrative Assistant