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

Evolution of Union Point Park...major redevelopment in the mid-1990's

In the 1990 Urban Design Plan (UDP), initiated and partially funded by Swiss Bear, redevelopment of the park was one of four major priority projects. LDR International’s plan called for construction of a new bulkhead, promenade, railing, relocation of the parking to the northern edge of the property and relocation of the masonry Woman’s Club building to the center of the park. In 1992, the City hired Allison Platt & Associates to prepare development plans and drawings so they could move forward with redevelopment plans. The final modified plan called for bulk heading, railing and walkway around the perimeter, relocation of the boat ramps to the northern edge, relocating the Women’s to the center of the park and replacing the asphalt parking lot and drive-way with lawn, lighting and trees. The northern section (old Texaco property) was under construction with bathroom facilities and a stage.

The future of the Woman’s Club building became a controversial topic and stalled the project. Charlie Kimbrell, former mayor, alderman and director of public works, feared relocation of the building would destroy the structure and its historic value. He felt the building needed to be restored where it stood (estimated cost $100,000) and spearheaded a petition coalition to “Promote Preservation, Restoration and Utilization of the Woman’s Club Building”.  Swiss Bear explored the cost to relocate the structure which was estimated at $40,000. At the March 24^th, 1993 Board of Aldermen meeting, the Board agreed to apply for a $5,000  grant to determine the feasibility of relocating the building. The controversy became a sore point between Charlie Kimbrell and the City and came to a head as the City worked to finalize redevelopment plans. The Aldermen assured Kimbrell they had no intention of demolishing the building.  When the Board of Aldermen studied the feasibility of relocating the building, cost of relocation and renovation to meet code requirements, they determined the cost was prohibitive and approved demolition of the building and solicited bids for Phase I improvements (new bulkhead, promenade and railing).

When Phase I estimates twice the estimate obtained several years before, the City considered putting the project on hold. Understanding redevelopment of the park was critical to the revitalization effort, Swiss Bear initiated  a campaign, Put Your Mark of the Park with the goal of raising $250,000 to assist the city with that effort. The public was invited to purchase bricks, pavers, benches, rails, street lights and pavers, engraved with contributor’s names or the names of loved ones.  The original goal of $250,000 was surpassed by $100,000. The city responded to the community’s generosity and support by moving forward with Phase II, investing more than $1.6 million in the project.  

In the mid-2000’s, the Gazebo was constructed with funds from the New Bern Women’s Club, area businesses and the City in tribute to the House the Depression Built.

The redevelopment of Union Park, once again a community effort, boosted the morale of the city and enhanced the revitalization of downtown and redevelopment of the waterfront.  This beautiful park, at the confluence of two rivers, attracts hundreds of people on a daily basis, is a place for community activities, parties, concerts, picnics, festivals, reunions and family gatherings.

Susan Moffat Thomas  

Executive Director 



Union Point Park - Present




Union Point Park Gazebo - Present




New promenade - After renovation




New promenade - after renovation




1990 Urban Design Plan Concept




Union Point Park - early 1990's



The Evolution of Union Point Park...New Bern Woman's Club, the house the Depression built

New Bern Woman's Club - Late 1930's

The property along the Neuse River in the city’s early history was the site of seafood and sawmill operations. By the early 1900’s, its decline as a port city led to the gradual  deterioration of the Neuse and Trent waterfront. By the early 1920’s Union Point  was used as a city dump. In 1931 the New Bern Women’s Club initiated a major project to convert the Union Point dump into a park and construct a Club House. Mayor Tolson and 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 P.W.A. funds with a local match of funds, the Woman’s Club Committee requested some of the relief-employed labor be diverted toward the park project.  "The large force of laborers began by leveling and grading the land. The Club women, knowing the men on the relief payroll had been on short rations for many months, opened a soup kitchen and prepared meals by collecting donations of food and money. They  also opened a distribution center for new and used clothing. Clothed and fed, when the men began to sing as they worked, the women knew their project was assured." 

New Bern Woman's Club - Late 1970's



*Summarized from a 1934 Woman’s Home Companion entitled 

  “The House the Depression Built”. 

When the building was completed, Mayor Tolson’s gift to the project was a lovely lily pool. The building and park became a rallying point that boosted the morale of the city and was the place community activities, parties, picnics and dances took place for many years.  

Newly constructed pavilion in Union Point Park - 1950's

In the 1950’s and 1960’s, Cedric Boyd, Public Works Director, developed the park further with a pavilion the City employees constructed, a picnic area and boat ramps.  As the downtown deteriorated, the hurricanes and frequent flooding led to the deterioration of the park and Woman’s Club building. The concrete floor heaved and cracked and the building was closed for use in the early 1980’s as it was deemed unsafe.

Union Point Park - Late 1970's

In a future blog, I will relate the controversy and future plans for the park that led to the demise of the House the Depression built. 

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director