Redevelopment of the waterfront...acquiring the Texaco property

          In the early 1980’s, since the redevelopment of the waterfront was an important goal, Swiss Bear zeroed in on another key three acre tract of prime waterfront property adjacent to Union Point Park and the Sheraton property.  The site housed a vacant gas station and unused bulk storage tanks that the Texaco Corporation had owned and tried to sell for many years.  When the City voiced an interest in purchasing the property, listed for $800,000, Swiss Bear members lobbied for the property through contacts with Texaco board members.  They also solicited assistance from the governor. 

      When Texaco officials accepted the invitation to visit the City, community leaders extended a warm welcome and shared New Bern’s revitalization and waterfront redevelopment plans.  This led to Texaco’s request for an appraisal of the property which was provided by the City government.  Over a period of months, the purchase price dropped from $800,000 to $250,000 to an outright donation of 1.2 acres to the City and the sale of .8 acres to Swiss Bear for $15,000.  Upon removal of the fuel storage tanks and demolition of the deteriorated gas station, the land was annexed and developed as a part of Union Point Park.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

"I didn't know she was real!"

That’s the typical reaction by festival-goers when they see the Silver Drummer Girl standing like a statue at the intersection of Broad and Craven Street during mumfest week-end. She is real and will be at mumfest 2012 as a returning favorite.

Jessica Smith began drumming 15 years ago but started drumming as the Silver Drummer Girl eight years ago. She reinvented her performance as the character Joan of Arc so she could incorporate the snare and be more engaging with the crowds of people that surround her during the festival.



Silver Drummer Girl



People love to see her standing still as a sculpture and wait for someone to throw a dollar in the tip jar. Everyone is surprised and fascinated when she begins to move and play the drums for a few minutes before returning to her stance as a sculpture.

This is a sideline for Jessica, a resident of Ashville, who is in furniture school…her goal is to make custom couches.

Quote from a fascinated festival-goer from Raleigh ... "I just had to comment on the Silver Drummer Girl. I was extremely impressed. I do not know if she ever took a break because every time I walked by that intersection she was there. She played the role of an animated statue, or one person called her a ghost or specter. She must have been exhausted by the end of the day. Thank you for providing such amazing entertainment".

Susan Moffat Thomas

Serving as a catalyst to attract a new Sheraton Hotel and Marina

In 1980, responding to the crisis situation, the newly chartered organization known as Swiss Bear, hired a full-time director using city, county, and private funding and identified the development of the urban renewal land as a key to the downtown’s future.  The consensus of the Swiss Bear Board of Directors (composed of local officials, community leaders, and businessmen) was to conduct a market study to determine the highest and best use of the remaining twelve acre tract which had been vacant since 1970 and was being used as an informal park.

The City agreed to Swiss Bear’s request to place a freeze on further sales of individual parcels on the site until a marketing study could be completed.  It was believed that a unified development was needed, one that would complement the existing downtown rather than relocating existing businesses to that site.

Swiss Bear coordinated the $45,000 study (funded by a $15,000 Kellenberger Historical Foundation grant), matched by the city and county.  Upon completion, the study reinforced the belief that the waterfront represented a valuable under-utilized resource, and confirmed the need for a 100 room hotel/motel with meeting facilities and a marina.

The recruiting and selection process included members of the Swiss Bear organization and local officials who aggressively courted interested developers.  The strong show of local support sent a clear message that the revitalization program would enhance and promote the development of the business market.

To facilitate the process, Swiss Bear and community members evaluated proposals from three developers and elected officials accepted their final recommendation.  As the City was not financially in a position to underwrite land costs or make any of the traditional infrastructure improvements, i.e., streets, sidewalks, and water sewer facilities, the group explored the possibility of acquiring state and/or federal grants to make the project financially feasible.

When it became apparent a federal Urban Development Action Grant was possible, a formal contract outlining the terms and responsibilities of both parties (developer and city) was negotiated.  Political support for the project again involved Swiss Bear members who continued to entertain bankers, appraisers, analysts, designers, and architects and communicated the City’s confidence in its future growth.  The $13 million waterfront Sheraton Hotel and Marina, (today known as the Hilton) partially funded by a $1.9 million Urban Development Action Grant became a community showpiece, upon completion, in November 1987.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director



Sheraton/Hilton Hotel and Marina - Today

 

Twelve Acre Tract - Before



New Bern, Beyond the Palace Walls

If you don’t have a copy of Artsee  or aren’t familiar with this bimonthly magazine go to artseemagazine.com or click here to read a great article on New Bern. The Mar/Apr issue features an outstanding article, New Bern Beyond the Palace Walls, written by Katie Bowler, photos by Donn Young, that captures the entrepreneurial spirit that is taking place in our downtown in the arts.

The article showcases several downtown galleries, Carolina Creations, ArtWorks,  Bank of the Arts, Ben Watford’s studio, Birthplace of Pepsi Cola and a stop at Courtesy Press in Pollocksville to meet letterpress owners April and Joshua Norma.

The photos are outstanding and we were exciting to see New Bern featured in a publication focused on the arts as we are so fortunate to have so many talented artists and craftsmen in our community.  Since I was not familiar with the magazine, went to artseemagazine.com and learned it is published by DWEEB, Inc., Raleigh, NC.  If you are interested in knowing what’s going on in the art world in North Carolina, I’m sure, this is a magazine you will enjoy…especially the article on New Bern!

MUMFEST ... a bit of history!

In 1980, as one of the strategies to attract people downtown, Swiss organized and held many activities and events in the downtown area including antique car shows, 4^th of July festivities, reenactments, Easter Egg Hunts, Flag Day Ceremonies and  the Swiss Bear Festival. The Swiss Bear Festival was held on several blocks of Middle Street. Vacant buildings (Belk and Kress) were used for some of the activities such as elementary school art work displays, quilt displays etc. In 1983, the committee invited Tryon Palace to participate as a featured attraction with the fall gardens being opened free to the public. Since the fall gardens displayed thousands of mums, the festival was promoted as the Swiss Bear Chrysanthemum Festival. The gardens were a huge hit. In 1984, the decision was made to drop Swiss Bear from the name and call it the Chrysanthemum Festival. The name remained  until the early 1990’s. As the revitalization effort was moving forward, the festival grew in size, expanding to take in two blocks of Pollock, two blocks of South Front and vacant property on those streets. We continued to hear people commenting they had trouble pronouncing the name, spelling it and men were reluctant to attend as they thought it was primarily a flower show. Even though posters and other promotional material still carried the name Chrysanthemum Festival, it was referred to more and more, simply as the MUMfest. By the mid-1990’s, that name was adopted and the festival is officially known as MUMfest.

As the festival attendance continued to grow, there were serious concerns for the safety of festival-goers due to the intense density. The completion of the new Neuse River Bridge and removal of the old bridge from the foot of Broad Street, led to the City’s request to NC DOT for permission to close Broad from Hancock Street and East Front from Broad to the Cunningham Bridge for the two day event. With their approval, the festival midway area was moved to Broad, East Front and Union Point in 2000.

What began as a modest one day, two-block event is now widely recognized as one of the finest award-winning festivals in the state. It attracts more than 80,000 festival-goers to our historic downtown and waterfront. MUMfest is a city sponsored event produced by Swiss Bear in cooperation with area businesses and nonprofits. This partnership made it possible to expand the festival throughout downtown and along the waterfront. Sponsorships, concession and vendor fees fund the festival. Festival proceeds are used to assist Swiss Bear with downtown revitalization projects.

Swiss Bear greatly appreciates all the support extended by the City, area businesses, volunteers and the community-at-large whose participation make MUMfest possible.

Susan Moffat Thomas                

Executive Director

New Bern's Downtown Revitalization Effort: understanding the challenges

Since the state joined the Main Street Program in 1980 (developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation) there have been many efforts by small  towns throughout North Carolina  to preserve their downtown's by pursuing economic revitalization initiatives.  These efforts have been aided by non-profit organizations who focus on downtown revitalization. Non-profit downtown redevelopment corporations, like Swiss Bear, have advantages that make them particularly appropriate by bringing in the private sector to partner with local government to serve as a catalyst in revitalization/preservation efforts.

New Bern’s downtown effort can best be appreciated by understanding the initial challenges and opportunities the community faced and had to address. 

·  What initiatives could be used to encourage businessmen, investors and developers to accept the risk and invest in an area that had experienced deterioration and decline? 

·  How could tenants and new shop owners be recruited? 

·  What incentives and strategies could be used to encourage the restoration and preservation of existing historically significant buildings?

·  How could the quality development of a 12 acre tract of waterfront property be achieved? 

·  How could community leaders, local officials and interested citizens achieve a synthesis that would promote the economic redevelopment of downtown New Bern while preserving its heritage?

The challenges were met and three decades later, New Bern’s downtown revitalization effort is a Main Street success story. This is due to many factors including involvement of local government officials, community leaders, investors willing to take the risk, an aggressive tourism program, development of a long-range revitalization plan and the dedication and commitment of the Swiss Bear organization.  These and other concentrated efforts focused on preservation and the economic development, helped create an environment that promotes tourism, attracts retirees, and other new residents and has intensified the sense of pride and community spirit in New Bern.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director   



Urban Renewal Tract

  

Broad Street

     

Middle Street





MSD Property Values

 

Downtown Middle Street


 
In a recent blog I related the history of the Municipal Service Tax District (MSD) and its creation in 1980 as a strategy to fund badly needed public improvements in downtown’s deteriorated central business district.

Using the MSD boundaries (north side of Broad, west side of Hancock to both rivers edge) I researched property values from the time the MSD was expanded (1985) from four core blocks to 12 blocks and would like to share the following increase that has taken place over the past 27 years. 

Downtown Middle Street


 

·    1985-86   $18,571,760,

·    2002-03   $63 million

·    2011-12   $167,782,462

Quite impressive, don’t you think?

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

 

Downtown Craven Street





Downtown New Bern...a few statistics to ponder

The downtown effort over the past 35 years has been based on an incremental approach with achievable goals and objectives.  

To date:

·  Well over two hundred million has been invested in major

    rehabs and new construction.

·   198 businesses, in addition to government offices,

     museums and churches employ approximately 2,300 people.

·  12 blocks of major streetscape improvements, underground utilities, new lights and landscaping.

·  1.5 miles of major improvements to Broad Street and two blocks of East Front Street.

·  $120 million Neuse River Bridge.

·  Alfred A. Cunningham Bridge replaced.

·  2000 -  new waterfront Riverfront Convention Center.

·  2010 -  NC History Center.

·  $1.6 redevelopment of Union Point Park, $200,000 of Council Bluff Green.

·  Two mid-block parks, James Reed Lane and Bear Plaza.

·  Four new waterfront hotels and three marinas.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director



Middlle Street Today



Middle Street Before



   

  

What is the MSD and what does it have to do with downtown's revitalization effort?

One of the strategies used to generate revenue to implement recommended public projects was the creation of a Municipal Service District (MSD). In the late 1970’s,  properties owners in a four-core block bounded by Craven, Broad, Hancock and South Front Street, agreed to pay an additional property tax each year to fund construction of Bear Plaza, a mid-block pedestrian park, on a vacant lot on Middle Street on the site of a department store that burned in the 1970’s. The mid-block park would allow convenient access (walkability) to the street from the new Federal Alley interior parking and service area.

The MSD tax generated $250,000 ($.50 per $100 of assessed value) annually from 1981 to 1983. When the two projects were completed, the rate was reduced to $.25. In 1985, as a means to increase revenue to fund on-going public projects, Swiss Bear and the Downtown Merchant Association solicited property owner’s support to expand the special tax district to take in the entire central business district. In June 1986, the Board of Aldermen approved the MSD expansion to encompass the area bounded by property on north of Broad Street, west side of Hancock Street to the edge of the Neuse and Trent Rivers and reduced the tax rate to $.18 per $100 of assessed value. The current rate is $.12.

Since 1980, MSD tax dollars funded numerous public projects including major streetscape improvements throughout the downtown, four parking lots, and the mid-block pedestrian park, James Reed Lane.

The creation of the MSD is just one of many strategies used to revitalize downtown and attract investment and a great example of how the property owners worked together to help make downtown New Bern a Main Street success story.

Bear Plaza - Before







Bear Plaza Today















Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

A Mumfest tradition...the Carolina Puppet Theatre

Head puppeteers, Carolyn Johnson and Helen Dawkins have been a mumfest favorite for many, many years. So long ago, it is generational…many of the parents who now bring their children to the show, enjoyed the show when they were children. Helen and Carolyn reside in Raleigh and started in the children’s entertainment industry in the  mid-1980’s. They have enjoyed making unusual puppets and writing fun kid’s tales and performing at many festivals, children’s museums and other special events. The puppets are “live”  and talk and interact with the  audience, similar to Sesame Street characters talking to real people. Characters include Poly and Ester the Gabardine Sisters, Ms. Hennington, the chicken, Clem the horse, Ms. Bossy the Jersey cow, Tammy Wynette the country music pig, to Charlie the blue monster …just to name a few. This is a truly fun experience as they use brilliant neon and fluorescent colors, feathers, lights, music, singing, bubbles, dancing with the  smorgasbord of odd characters and fun personalities. It is delightful entertainment and great fun to just sit and watch the children and adults laugh and enjoy this outstanding attraction. Shows are scheduled throughout both festival days so mark your calendar and be sure and bring your kids, grand kids, nieces or nephews for an hour of free and fabulous fun located at the corner of Broad and East Front Street in the Lil’ Kids Corner.

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day Weekend

Friday evening the Rivertowne Ballroom will provide dancing to recorded music at 7 pm, followed by the Harbour Jazz Quartet at 8 pm. The Quartet, performing  music from The American Song Book features band members vocalist Ann Sorocki, Margaret Rose, Bob Dumon and Bill Green. Admission $15.

On Saturday evening, beginning at 8 pm, owner Ed Ruiz, Trent River Coffee Company and Simon Spaulding will present a show “with an Irish twist…a kind of San Francisco take on the holiday. In addition to Irish tunes, Simon will play a selection of instruments and tunes, each with its own tradition. While patrons enjoy the music, they can partake with a non-alcoholic version of Irish coffee…of, course!

On Sunday, 2 pm in the NC History Center's Mattocks Hall, the young members of the Eastern Preparatory Youth Orchestra debut with Fire at Tryon, an original work by composer and music educator Wendy Bissinger. The string orchestra (grades 3-6) is

designed to introduce the foundations of orchestral playing and develop good-ensemble-playing, encourage reading skills and technical development.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at the Scottish Rite Auditorium, the Ratio Theatre Company presents Jacques Briel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. The production, directed by Joey Infinito, begins at 8 pm Friday and Saturday and 2 pm Sunday. Admission $22.

Alex Clark/Project Dynamite returns to MUMFEST 2012

Alex Clark was a great hit at MUMFEST 2011, so much so that we are bringing him back again. He was at the corner of Middle and Broad doing jaw dropping feats that were matched by his award-winning improvised comedy. He is a very talented young man with a great personality and a world traveled street performer. He has performed in China, Australia, Canada and all over the United States. He won best street performer and runner up once at The Seaport Village Busker Festival, the largest and longest running street performing festival in the country.  

Alex lives on the West Coast and last year was the first time he had been to Eastern North Carolina.

Here’s what he has to say about MUMFEST and downtown New Bern.

“Mumfest is the best festival in North Carolina.  It has great entertainment, great food, and wonderful people working at the event.  New Bern itself is a very cool little town. I often found myself walking around long after I was done working checking out all the little shops and stores that it had to offer.  The picturesque views of the water and the historical architecture were an absolute treat.   I am so glad that I'm coming back because I'll have a chance to look into all the stores that I missed last time.  If you haven't been to New Bern yet definitely check it out! It's a small town with a big heart.”

Of course we agreee and know festival goers will look forward to seeing him perform again at MUMFEST 2012.

                                                                                                                                                      

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director 

Mumfest Boat Show/Outdoor Life

The Boat Show, an annual event at mumfest for the past 10 years, has been a well-attended venue, however there is so much interest in other outdoor recreational activities we decided to explore expanding the Boat Show to include vendors, exhibits and demonstrations that promote many other popular outdoor activities such as kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, biking, fishing etc. We had a meeting with some of the owners of businesses that sell recreational goods to get their input; would they be interested in participating, would they have demos, do they think this would be a hit with festival-goers and the answer was yes. We are delighted and are now moving forward planning for this venue. It will be located in the space north (left) of the road into Union Point Park which is large enough to accommodate exhibitors, have demonstrations and related activities.

We would appreciate getting feedback/input from readers. Would you visit this venue? If you are in the recreational business would you consider being a vendor? And, what do you think will enhance this attraction?

Susan Moffat Thomas

Mumfest Raffle

Since Lisa Bisbee is a talented artist as well as a graphic designer, we kicked around the idea of having her paint an 18" x 18" canvass, capturing the image of the flower in the 2012 poster  and sell raffle tickets with the drawing being held the Monday  after the festival (October 15).

Would like to hear if our followers think it would be successful. If the tickets are 3 for $5…would you buy a ticket?



Susan Moffat Thomas

KUDOS to the New Bern Historical Society

If you were in the downtown over the week-end you would have noticed how many people were on the streets. Numerous activities including reenactments were held downtown and at the New Bern Battlefield to mark the 150^th Anniversary of the Battle of New
Bern which took place March 14, 1862.

Thunder in the East, the Civil War in Eastern North Carolina: a Sesquicentennial Symposium, hosted by the New Bern Historical Society and held in the NC History Center, was well attended and the speakers were excellent. Especially nice was the reception Friday evening at the Attmore Oliver House that provided the opportunity to meet the many presenters prior to the Saturday meeting.  Listening to 89 year old key note speaker, Ed Bearrs, a noted Civil War Historian was the highlight of the day. He spoke on the Civil War with a focus on Eastern  North Carolina. Mr. Bearrs played a key role in assisting the Historical Society acquire the Battlefield site in the 1990’s.

I never cease to be amazed at New Bern’s rich and colorful history and appreciate all those who worked so hard to bring this rich  event filled week-end to fruition.


Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

Special thanks to Wendy Card, New Bern Now

Thank you Wendy for helping us create our blog. As we attempt to absorb all the technical challenges that go with creating a blog and be in tune with social media to get the word out on Swiss Bear, Mumfest and other downtown happenings, you have been incredibly helpful. For those who aren’t familiar with Wendy’s website http://www.newbernnow.com/ and blog newbernnow.blogspot.com, visit often for an incredible amount of information on New Bern…where to shop, what’s going on around town, where to dine, plus lots more.  

Susan Moffat-Thomas

Danielle Glynn

Downtown ARTWALK Friday, March 9, 5 - 8 pm

Downtown’s ARTWALK is a great way to enjoy the work of so many fine artists and have an enjoyable evening absorbing the ambience of downtown, attending receptions, ambling along the streets, meeting and greeting friends and acquaintances, browsing through the many shops and dining in one of the many fine restaurants.

The Bank of the Arts features the 11^th Annual Craven County Schools student art exhibit and opening reception with pianist Dayton Vesper; MJs Raw Bar & Grill displays abstract paintings by Lisa Bisbee; New Bern ArtWorks & Co. reception kicks off an exhibit by Eric McRay, Not Just Pretty Pictures; Raleigh artist Dan Nelson’s oil paintings, Painting the Town - New Bern, will be at Carolina Creations; Mimi Dixon’s work is on exhibit at the Next Chapter Bookstore, and Charles Hines work will be at the Farmer’s Market. Local authors Flora Ann Scearce will also be at the Next Chapter and Phil Bowie at the Farmer’s Market.

It’s hard to believe the changes that have taken place over the past 35 years…in the early days of the revitalization effort, we could only dream events like this  would actually become a reality. How fortunate we are to live in New Bern.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Mumfest 2012 Poster Design

Here’s a sneak preview of the poster/logo Lisa Bisbee designed for mumfest 2012. We love it and hope everyone does too. We up-dated our mumfest.com website with the new banner and she up-dated the graphic for the street banners and T-shirts. After reviewing several proposals, we chose hers…the charge was…design something classy that relates to our newest attraction

(the SeaFair art filled mega yacht) that exudes fun and festivity with an explosion of color.  We think she met the challenge and then some….what do you think!

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

City aldermen approve outdoor alcohol permits

Thanks to Sabrina, patrons of the downtown restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages can now elect to have glass of wine or beer with their meal if they chose to sit at one of the tables in front of several of the restaurants on the sidewalk. The amended and/or new ordinances also allow nonprofits to obtain permits to sell/serve alcoholic beverages at fundraising events held on public land if they meet all the requirements.

We appreciate and thank the Board of Aldermen for passing the ordinances. New Bern’s downtown revitalization required re-structuring the downtown economy to be successful and tourism was seen as the industry that could be the key, in addition to developing water related recreational opportunities. Offering amenities, like being able to enjoy dining outside with the same amenities as patrons have inside the restaurant, adds to the ambience and warm hospitality that attracts visitors and residents to our downtown. Nonprofit organizations may be willing to sponsor concerts and other events that can generate funds  through beverage and gate fees to attract people to event and generate enough in proceeds to make the effort worthwhile.

Your thoughts and comments are welcomed.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

Plans for Mumfest 2012

Plans for mumfest 2012 (October 13 – 14) are well underway with new attractions and old favorites. We will keep everyone updated on mumfest happenings as they are finalized. Our newest venue is the mega 228' yacht SeaFair, filled with three decks of art from local area, national and international artists. The yacht will be moored at the Hilton Marina for the festival week-end, arriving October 10.  Go to www.expoships.com for more information. Their calendar does not include mumfest yet, but should be posted within the next month or so.

So far, everyone we’ve talked to is excited about this as a new venue and feel it will be a great addition to the many other venues at the festival. We would like to hear from artists if they will consider participating as a vendor and if people will be willing to pay a nominal admission fee to tour through the yacht.

More details will be posted as we go through the planning process.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

Really Great News

We just received confirmation from the NC Department of Commerce, the two downtown New Bern projects submitted January 6 through the City for a $100,000 Main Street Solutions grant are being funded. Swiss Bear and the City Planning staff worked with Haroldson Properties and the Craven Arts Council submitting a grant request for expansion of the retail space in the Bank of the Arts to increase revenues and promote the work of local artists and renovation of the old Pak A Sak supermarket for use as a wholesale furniture outlet. The Main Street Solutions Fund (MSSF), a reimbursable matching grant program awards grants to eligible local governments for projects that strengthen the local economy by leveraging funds for small business development. The match for eligible projects, two non-state dollars for every dollar and requires the creation of one job for every $25,000. The City will monitor and administer the grant for the two recipients of the MSSF money.

We are thrilled the two projects met the qualifications and both will be great additions to the downtown business mix. 

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director