History of the Revitalization of Downtown New Bern NC: Annual City Appropriation...A Sound Investment

At the peak of downtown’s decline, Swiss Bear was established in 1979 and has been funded in part by the city which was a requirement of becoming a Main Street City in 1980.

Over the past three decades Swiss Bear’s projects/accomplishments have been tangible and measurable. Programs and projects include creation of loan pools, fundraising campaigns, acquiring grants and donations for public projects to assist the City in the revitalization of the downtown and Five Points area …Texaco property, Union Point Park, Council Bluff Green, Bear Plaza, James Reed Lane, New/Hancock Street parking lot, Belk Building; initiated development of two urban design plans, the foundation for 12 blocks of major downtown streetscape improvements, East Front Street improvements, Broad street improvements, and replacement of the Alfred Cunningham Bridge; created numerous events to bring people downtown including MUMFEST, now a major annual city sponsored event that attracts 85,000 visitors with an economic impact of over $3.5M.

Since 1980, we have raised over $8M either thru grants or playing a key role in lobbying for funds for City projects…this figure does not include our involvement in the effort to get the new $120M Neuse River Bridge built in the mid-1990’s, our involvement in working with Judge Louis Flanagan in acquiring the federal appropriations ($12M) to rehabilitate the Federal Building on Middle Street, the 1.5 mi. Broad Street improvements and Alfred Cunningham Bridge replacement.

The focus of our work…our only purpose/focus is to enlist private sector support to work in partnership with the city in developing projects, strategies and funding sources for projects that promote the economic vitality and sustainability of the greater downtown area.

Current major projects/program of work is to explore funding and work with the City to implement the Wayfinding sign system developed in 2009…it is a unique system that guides visitors into the city, to parking and main attractions; to find funding to re-assemble the Ship Hauling Machine, a historic artifact as a tangible reminder of New Bern’s past as a port city and boat building center; continue to serve on the area wide planning project and work with the city to carry out the recommendations from Goody Clancy for the revitalization of the greater Five Points area and produce MUMFEST in partnership with the city.

We submitted a request for an appropriation of $50,000. We do not receive federal or state funding for Swiss Bear’s annual budget. Funding from local government varies from year to year. We have been funded annually with an appropriation from the County since 1980 with the exception of last year. The City’s appropriated $46,750 in 2011-2012. Swiss Bear raises approximately $115,000 of its operating budget annually through donations and proceeds from MUMFEST, a weather-dependent event, so proceeds are unpredictable.

We raise additional funds for our program of work projects through grants, fundraising campaigns and donations dedicated to that specific project….the F-11 and Sculpture project, the most recent examples.

The City’s appropriation to Swiss Bear is a sound investment. For every dollar contributed to Swiss Bear, the return to the City from contributions for special projects, public improvements, job creation, tourism, occupancy taxes, sales and property tax is tenfold.

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director