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