Revdevelopment of Union Point Park

Put your mark on the Park Campaign

Union Point Park shown in this
circa 1990s photo

Union Point Park today

For the past 60 years, Union Point Park has been an important public resource.

The Park’s prominent location and close proximity to the downtown area made it a keystone in the on-going redevelopment of the waterfront and revitalization of the downtown. In the mid eighty’s, the city appointed a Swiss Bear Union Point Task Force to study and make recommendations on how the site should be developed. Through its efforts, Texaco’s donation of the adjacent three acres of property was used to expand the park. The winning entry in a Task Force sponsored design competition calling for the creation of a sheltered harbor, river center and removal of the boat ramps generated controversy that eventually killed the project.

In 1990, the city and Swiss Bear co-sponsored development of an urban design plan to provide guidelines for the growth and development of downtown and Five Points. In public meetings for citizen input, the consensus on improvements to the Park included cultivation of green spaces, relocation of parking to the northern edge , relocation of the Women’s Club  building to a more central location in the park, boat ramps, and a promenade/riverwalk at the water’s edge.   

In 1995, the city made the decision to allocate the Sheraton’s last payback/payment of the 1984 federal Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG) loan along with a Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) for Phase I improvements (new bulkhead, railing and promenade) to Union Point Park. The 1984 $1.9 million UDAG grant, designed for projects that otherwise could not take place was essential to moving the Sheraton project forward. Under the terms of the grant, the loan with interest was paid back to the City by the developer and the City was required to use the money for other economic development projects.

The Park project was jeopardized when bids came in $300,000 over the City’s original estimate, exceeding the payback amount. If the city put the project on hold, our fear was the money would be used for other projects and it would be many years before the City would have adequate funds to redevelop the Park.

In response, on August 17, Bill Ballenger, Alderman and Swiss Bear board member, asked Swiss Bear “to initiate a fundraising campaign that he and I would co-chair…a grass roots effort was needed to show the elected officials, the community wanted the park re-developed”. The goal, enlist the community’s financial support to avert losing the CAMA grant and re-directing of the Sheraton loan payback for another use.

We organized a committee with a goal of raising $300,000. Committee members were Mike Avery, Mary Conover, Denise Willey and Angela McDaniel which soon grew to include a corps of 53 volunteers.

The campaign slogan Put Your Mark on the Park invited individuals and businesses to sponsor a brick, granite panel, paver, section of railing, a street light, even the overlook, ranging from $50 to $75,000. Contributor’s names, permanently inscribed on the bricks and other items would be a tangible record for future generations and a testimony of the community’s commitment. A $5,000 contribution from the City was used to print brochures, posters and cover advertising expenses.

With resolutions of support from the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations and contributions from businesses, civic organizations, nonprofits, county and city elected officials, school children and citizens-at-large, by May 1996, a $10,000 Weyerhaeuser Foundation grant put the campaign at the halfway mark.

The outpouring of community support led to the City’s hiring of Allison Platt & Associates for design work and construction drawings for the promenade, bulkhead, railings and pedestrian walkway under the bridge and, T.D. Eure for construction of Phase I improvements and purchased bulk heading materials to save $27,000.

The contributions continued to grow. The corporate board of First Citizens Bank, the FCB New Bern Board of Directors and friends contributed $75,000 to name the overlook at the confluence of the two rivers, the John Harold Talton Overlook in honor of his long service to the bank and the community. Metromedia Cablevision contributed $25,000. Nancy and Pete Deichman, board members of the Mary Whiting Ewing Foundation, presented the committee with a $30,000 check to be used for lighting because the Park was near and dear to them.

In July, Hurricane Bertha created havoc and delay with no serious damage to the on-going construction of the bulkhead, but did further weaken the structural integrity of the Women’s’ Club building. In September, Fran slammed New Bern. The park emerged relatively unscathed, however the roof on the Women’s’ Club building was ripped off and the back wall collapsed.

By January 1997, construction of the bulkhead was completed and railings were being installed. The City opened bids for the construction of the promenade in the spring with L.R. Thomas and Sons the low bidder at $518,000. 

When the campaign closed in February 1997, exceeding its goal by $50,000, thousands had contributed, many from outside New Bern and out of the state.

In spite of its deteriorated condition, the Woman’s Club building was a controversial topic.  Its relocation estimated at $40,000, was a concern for many and the cost of restoration estimated at $100,000 was seen as a waste of money by others. In February 1998, the report from a structural engineer hired to evaluate the feasibility and cost of restoring and bringing the building up to code led to the City’s decision to demolish it. 

On June 28, 1998, City and County officials, Swiss Bear representatives, Put Your Mark on the Park Committee members and hundreds of residents gathered at the waterfront park to celebrate the dedication of Phase I improvements.  Within the year, Phase II improvements were completed including new bathrooms. The total cost for the project; bulkhead, promenade, railings, footbridge, boat ramps/docks, restoration of wetlands and restrooms was $1,640,000, 10% over the original estimate of $1,500,000.  

The redevelopment of the Park, like so many other downtown projects, was made possible by the support and generosity of the community.

Transition of the Neuse River waterfront and Union Point Park

Women's Club Building

Model of winning concept for
 Union Point Park

Design Competition - First Place
winning design

In the late 1970’s, the redevelopment and integration of the area along the Trent River and Neuse River into the core downtown area focused on creating amenities that would enhance the area as a destination.

Union Point’s prominent location at the confluence of the two rivers and its close proximity to downtown made it a keystone in the redevelopment of the waterfront.

Historically, Union Point served as the site for commercial sawmill operations, seafood processing and naval stores and in the early 20th century as a government dock. New Bern’s decline as a port city led to the gradual deterioration of the Neuse and Trent waterfront and by the 1920’s, Union Point degenerated into a city dump.

Union Point showed some
deterioration again in the 1980s

In 1931, when a development project to construct a multi-story hotel failed, the New Bern Women’s Club initiated clean-up of the area to convert it into a public park and construct a Club House. The Board of Aldermen approved the project “provided it could be done without any cost to the city other than City labor, when it could be spared.” 

With President Roosevelt’s announcement municipalities could borrow W.P.A funds with a local match of funds, the Woman’s Club Committee requested some of the relief-employed labor be diverted to the park project.

When the building was completed, Mayor Tolson’s donated a lily pool. The building and park became a rallying point boosting the morale of the city and the place community activities took place for many years.

In the 1950’s, Cedric Boyd, Public Works Director, developed the park further with a picnic area, boat ramps, a pavilion and restrooms. Throughout the years it continued to be a highly used park.

By the mid-1970’s, hurricanes, frequent flooding and deferred maintenance led to its deterioration. The restrooms were frequently vandalized. The piling and pier decking were decaying. Stress cracks in the exterior walls of the Women’s Club along with the sinking and heaving of the concrete slab floor lead to the building’s closure in the early 1980’s.

Adjacent to Union Point, the three acre abandoned Texaco site, surrounded by a chain link fence, housed seven fuel tanks, a vacant service station and warehouse with a large expanse of asphalt paving.

In the early 1980’s, with waterfront redevelopment a major objective in the downtown revitalization effort, the City and Swiss Bear agreed acquisition of the Texaco land would provide the opportunity to expand Union Point Park.

In September 1982, learning Texaco was exploring having the tanks removed from the site, Tony Hooper, City Manager, contacted Jim Nay, Texaco’s Division Manager, Bellaire, Texas inquiring if the company would consider donating the property to the city for use as a public park. Although Nay responded the tract, appraised at $300,000, was too valuable to give away, correspondence continued.

In late October, when Texaco agreed to donate the waterfront section to the City and sub-divide and sell the front two parcels for a bargain sale of $10,000, Swiss Bear’s Board made Texaco an offer of $10,000 for the two lots. After months of negotiations, on June 15, 1983, Jim Nay, Division Manager presented deeds to Swiss Bear Chairman Harold Talton and Mayor Paul Cox at a press conference in Bear Plaza. 

In July 1983, the Board of Aldermen granted Swiss Bear the authority to develop a plan for the highest and best use of the Texaco property and Union Point and flexibility in negotiations with the City on disposition of the Texaco property owned by Swiss Bear.

An East Waterfront Task Force, appointed by the Board of Aldermen and chaired by John Ward included representatives from the City, County, Swiss Bear, Chamber of Commerce, Weyerhaeuser, Hatteras Yachts, Neuse River Foundation and was later expanded with sub-committees from the business community for fundraising, project design and grants to cover costs incurred.

After visiting numerous waterfront cities and meeting weekly, Task Force members concluded the best use was development of a visitor and river resource center dedicated to the identification, study and resolution of water quality problems adversely affecting residential and industrial development.

In April, 1984, they held a Design Competition for the design and layout of the 6.5 acre site. Seventeen architect and landscape architect firms submitted entry drawings. The award-winning design by Edgar Carr & Associates called for the excavation of most of Union Point to create a protected harbor with a barrier island, a resource center, waterfront promenade, amphitheater for outdoor performances and boat docks.

The Kellenberger Historical Foundation approved a $5,000 grant for the design phase and the Board of Aldermen approved $9,000 for a feasibility study. Commitments to fund the $3-4 million project received financial support from several local major industries.

In 1986, Swiss Bear sold its two Texaco parcels to the City for $14,500, covering costs incurred to demolish the two buildings and clean up site debris.

Throughout the next three years, the project remained controversial in spite of numerous public meetings and modifications to the design. Residents voiced anger at losing the use of the park and fishermen the loss of the boat ramps. To address that issue, Swiss Bear took the lead and paid $2,000 for a plan to up-grade Lawson Creek Park (also a dump site in previous years), the City of New Bern appropriated $27,000 and the County provided the labor to build four new boat launching ramps.

In December 1987, failing to gain state support for a major appropriation to help fund the project, Task Force members, the Swiss Bear Executive Board and Board of Aldermen determined the Union Point Task Force should work with Edgar D. Stone and Associates (EDSA), Design Competition third place winner to come up with a plan for Union Point.

However, other waterfront controversies arose that laid the groundwork for development of the 1990 Urban Design Plan which, in addition to providing a clear vision for all of downtown, would include a new design concept for Union Point Park.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

East Waterfront Task Force...developing a plan for Union Point Park

In a previous blog I wrote about Swiss Bear’s involvement in purchasing several parcels along the street and getting the parcels along the Neuse River donated to the City. The three acre tract, adjacent to Union Point Park, included fuel storage tanks and a vacant deteriorating gas station. It was important to acquire the property to begin developing the waterfront to attract and accommodate tourism and water recreation. The negotiation process took several years. During that time Swiss Bear approached Weyerhaeuser Corporation about their interest in building a museum and visitor center that would include an aquatic learning center. They indicated they were interested in considering such a project if the Texaco property was used to expand Union Point.  

With that in mind, in July 1983, following Texaco’s donation of the property to the City, Harold Talton, Swiss Bear Chairman and Marvin Davis, the Executive Director, went before the Board of Aldermen to request Swiss Bear’s designation as the entity to plan the use of the Texaco property and Union Point. The Board of Aldermen approved and passed a resolution granting Swiss Bear 120 days to come up with a plan.  Swiss Bear sought the Chamber of Commerce’s help and the two organization’s created  the East Waterfront Task Force. Members included, Tony Hooper, City Manager; David Rowland, City Planner; Boyd Meyers and Paul Cox, Aldermen; Weyerhaeuser representatives were Norm Johnson, Glen Wood and George Henson. Swiss Bear representatives were Harold Talton, Marvin Davis, John Ward and Kay Williams. Jamie King was the Neuse River Foundation representatives and Farrell Teague and Alton Herndon represented the Chamber. The Task Force worked on this project, which became very controversial, for more than three years.

In a future blog, I will relate the many challenges and hurdles they faced over the following three years with the goal of developing the Texaco property and Union Point into a protected harbor and river research center.  

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director



Union Point Park late 1970's



Union Point Park late 1970's



Redevelopment of the Neuse River Waterfront/Texaco Property

In the June 13 Sun Journal edition, an article by Eddie Fitzgerald reported City workers were repairing an area in Union Point Park where the soils had been sinking due to settling around a large concrete foundation.  He called and asked if I knew the history/background of the large concrete base that had never been removed when the City acquired the property. I do know, as Swiss Bear played a major role in getting the then, Texaco property donated to the City. Tourism was seen as an industry that would be the key to the revitalization effort. The Texaco property could be utilized as an expansion of the adjacent Union Point Park.  The concrete  base was originally the foundation for three massive Texaco fuel storage tanks that stood  beside a vacant gas station built in the 1950’s. Removal of the foundation turned out to be very difficult and costly and ultimately the City made the decision to leave the foundation in place, add soil and plant grass over the foundation.

Acquiring the Texaco property was a process that took over three years. Following the donation of the waterfront section to the City, Swiss Bear accepted a bargain sale offer and purchased lots 1 and 2 along the street which in turn, was sold to the City. To determine the best use of this property and Union Point, this led to the creation of an East Waterfront Task Force made up of members from the City, Chamber of Commerce Weyerhaeuser, Hatteras, Neuse River Foundation and Swiss Bear. This project, along with many others, was  based on the goals and objective of the 1977 Central Business District Revitalization Plan.

The following paragraph from the Central Business District Revitalization Plan  summarizes the existing conditions of the Neuse River waterfront and recommendations for redevelopment of property historically used for commercial purposes including seafood and saw mill operations.

The three block commercial area east of South Front Street including the old Holiday Inn, the Texaco Storage property and Union Point Park as fragmented and in some cases represented incompatible land uses as the city moves toward the accommodation of tourism and recreation. These key land parcels should be assessed and planned to conform with the rest of the central business district. The spectacular waterfront  setting and convenient accessibility to boat traffic will make this area increasingly valuable as other development occurs. This waterfront area should be carefully controlled from a visual point of view to insure its compatibility throughout the central business district. Waterfront pedestrian access should be required in this area as the land is redeveloped, creating a continuous connection from the existing City Park (Council Bluff Green) beneath the Highway 17 bridge along the water’s  behind the Holiday Inn (demolished in the 1990’s) and the oil storage area, around Union Point Park, under the Highway 70 drawbridge and along the edge of the urban renewal site. New development along the Neuse waterfront should include a 30 to 50 foot pedestrian easement to allow public access along the water.

In a future blog I will relate the steps taken after the three and a half acre parcel with a then value of $300,000, by the City and the East Waterfront Task Force in coming up with plans for the development of Union Point Park. The evolution of Union Point to its present day appearance was a long and challenging process and one of the many projects that played a major role in the incremental redevelopment of the waterfront and revitalization of the central business district.

Tell us what you think. 

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director



Council Bluff Green 1990

Holiday Inn at
East Front & Broad St - 1985




Texaco Property on East Front St.
Fuel storage tanks and vacant gas station

 



Barge being towed away from Texaco site