Trent-Neuse River Dragon Days Coming to New Bern

COASTAL CAROLINA RIVERWATCH, a newly established environmental group advocating for all the rivers of eastern North Carolina, has announced its plan to host the 2013 Dragon Boat race event in New Bern at Union Point Park. This will be the second time this event, previously sponsored by another group, will be held in New Bern. It is scheduled for July 27, 2013.

Dragon Boat races are exciting! Certainly, they are very enjoyable to watch. For many, real fun comes from paddling one of these 45 foot dragon boats in sync with a drummer’s beat in races with others. Last year, participants found it to be a wet, wild and thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Individuals will be able to sign up and join with others and businesses can sponsor a full boat and fly their names and logos in the races. There may be limits on the number of participants, so early sign up is encouraged.

Coastal Carolina Riverwatch, whose headquarters is located in New Bern at 1305 Country Club Road, works to protect all the rivers and streams of eastern North Carolina.  In cases where local river groups exist, Coastal Carolina Riverwatch partners with them in multiple ways. This includes, but is not limited to, providing trained volunteers who fly airplanes in aerial surveillance, taking water samples, professionally capturing video and pictures, attending public hearings and petitioning government officials in support of common issues.  

The mission of Coastal Carolina Riverwatch is to work together, not just with other environmental groups but with community leaders and businesses as well. Its work to restore and protect the rivers of Coastal Carolina is a good business practice that makes dollars and sense. 

Healthy Rivers—Healthy Economy—inextricably linked—that’s the bottom line!

MORE INFORMATION:

Coastal Carolina Riverwatch:

252-514-0629                                           

Email: coastalcarolinariver@centurylink.net  

 

Trent River Waterfront Urban Renewal Project

Trent River Waterfront - 1960s
Prior to Urban Renewal project

Aerial View - 1960



Trent River Waterfront
 as seen from the block between
Craven & Middle Streets



Urban Renewal tract as it was in
the 1970s to early 1980s 

By the turn of the twentieth century, the high level of business activity on the Trent waterfront ceased to exist. Post WW II suburban development, malls and less use of railroads and water as a means of transportation, left many of the downtown commercial buildings vacant as businesses relocated to areas outside the city limits. The blighted dilapidated buildings continued to deteriorate becoming health and safety issues, hastening the decline of the waterfront and core of the central business district.

A survey by the New Bern Planning Commission in mid-1960 determined this blighted three block commercial area with its proximity to the central business district was eligible for urban renewal grant funds.  This opportunity appeared to have the greatest potential for revitalizing the downtown area.  The federal program of land redevelopment, relocation of businesses and demolition of structures to revitalize decaying inner cities was the leading national policy at the time.

In July of 1967, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved a planning grant to the City of New Bern to “renew” the area. The 21 acre project area was bounded by East Front, Tryon Palace Drive (now South Front Street) Hancock Street and the Trent River.

The City created a Redevelopment Commission in 1968 appointing John G. Dunn, Jr., Chairman, Sam Branch, Vice Chairman, Harry L. Vats, William M. Bryan, Clifton L. McCotter, C. Edward Hancock, Jr., Commission attorney and William (Bill) Edwards, Executive Director, who were responsible for overseeing the objectives of the Urban Renewal Plan, to include:

·         Identifying land to be acquired for clearance.

·         Obtaining fee simple titles through negotiation or eminent

             domain.

·         The removal/clearance of all structurally unsound

             structures.

·         Improving and widening existing street systems with

             adequate utilities, storm drainage and underground

             electrical distribution systems.

·         Preparing land for lease or resale for commercial and public

             uses as specified in the Urban Renewal Plan.

·         Raising the elevation of parts of the project area.

·         Construction of a bulkhead along the waterfront to reduce

             the threat of flooding.

·         Constructing sidewalks along the waterfront for public use.

The estimated cost of the redevelopment project was $3.5 million. Locally, the City had to share in one-fourth of the cost (cash or improvements) estimated at $716,100. With the anticipated resale of the land the estimated net project cost was $2.9 million.

As the various stages of the project progressed, the Redevelopment Commission obtained temporary loans from the federal government. Federal capital grant progress payments and local grants-in-aid were made as needed over the life of the project.

All but three structures were demolished. The Harvey Mansion (ca. 1798) owned by the County, was rescued from the “wrecking ball” by local preservationists who in an emergency effort got it listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The other two buildings were owned by a water softening company and a finance company. All three buildings fronted the 200 block of Tryon Palace Drive. Demolition was completed by 1974.

Between the years of 1970–1973, the Redevelopment Commission was granted permission by the State of North Carolina, the Department of Army Corps of Engineers, NC Department of Conservation and Development Division of Commercial Sports Fisheries to hire an engineering and construction firm to dredge, design and construct a bulkhead and fill in the irregular shoreline area, originally the site of warehouses, wharves, docks, marine railways and slips. Construction of the bulkhead, dredging and fill work was completed by the end of 1974, representing an investment of $4.6 million including in-kind work by the City.

 

In 1974, Redevelopment Commission members made a concerted effort to market the entire area to one or more developers to no avail.  A unified plan of development for the area had never been developed and the site was seen as dependent on the revitalization of the downtown.  To add to the challenge, HUD was pressuring the City and the Redevelopment Commission to bring the project to closure. At that time New Bern was a small town of less than 16,000 and did not have the ambiance it has today.

In 1976, Wachovia Bank & Trust Company purchased a lot at the corner of Middle Street and South Front Street and built a building for their new bank. Branch Bank purchased a parcel at the corner of South Front Street.

In January 1977, the County purchased two parcels of property on the eastern side of Craven Street. The County’s plan to build a county office complex to include a new jail on the Trent waterfront generated widespread controversy.   Articles in the Sun Journal, a political cartoon with prisoners fishing from their cell windows and letters to the editor led to the failure of a bond issue for construction

Another problem surfaced in 1977 when a local law firm, interested in building a new office complex on the urban renewal property, withdrew their offer when a problem arose in getting a clear title to the property that related to the land title of reclaimed underwater lands.

Even though all dredge and fill permit regulations were complied with and the State of North Carolina had delivered a Quit-Claim Deed to the Redevelopment Commission for the land reclaimed by dredging and filling, it became evident that land titles would be subject to the rights of the United States by reason of federal control over navigable waters, i.e., that section had to be removed from “federal navigable waters” jurisdiction so a clear title could be obtained by property owners.

City Attorney, Al Ward, sought assistance from Congressman Walter B. Jones, Senator Jesse Helms and Senator Robert Morgan. Introduced as part of a bill, it did not pass. The issue was finally solved when it was tacked on to Public Law 96-520, and became a U. S. law in December of 1980.

In the meantime, the Redevelopment Commission closed the project out, conveying the unsold portions of the urban renewal land to the City in 1978.

In January 1981, Swiss Bear obtained an agreement with the Craven County Commissioners and New Bern Board of Aldermen allowing Swiss Bear 12 months to develop a comprehensive Plan for the Bicentennial Park/urban renewal land to include identifying and recruiting potential developers and tenants for the property. Development Task Force members included representatives from Swiss Bear, financial institutions, developers,  city manager, planning department, the county, engineers, architects, real estate agents and appraisers.

The steps taken to market and develop the 14 acres of land to include a waterfront hotel, conference/ meeting facilities and marina will be related in the June 2nd column.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Establishing the organization and defining its mission

In June 1976, while serving as past president of the New Bern-Craven County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Davis conceived the idea and provided the leadership that led to the creation of the Downtown Revitalization Committee (DRC), the forerunner of Swiss Bear. This small committee with a representative from the Chamber (Doug Davis), Downtown Merchants Association, Redevelopment Commission, City of New Bern and a Craven County Commissioner had gained broad-based community-wide support of people who had a vested interest in downtown.

At their July 12, 1977 meeting, Doug Davis told interested citizens, merchants and landowners, “this Committee was given the mandate to see that a Central Business District Revitalization Plan, to include architectural study if necessary, was accomplished. With help from the Board of Aldermen, City, Merchants and Land owners, this step has been completed and we are now ready to turn our responsibilities over to another entity that will work with local government  and proceed implementing the plan, if this is the wish of those present”. Moving forward was enthusiastically endorsed by all attendees.

On April 5, 1979, during a public meeting in the Tryon Palace Auditorium, the DRC’s responsibilities were transferred to the new, yet to be named 501(c) 3 nonprofit to reflect its status as a nonprofit, community-based organization that would:

·         Actively work in partnership with local government to tap the resources of the business community in carrying out the redevelopment of the downtown area and its waterfront.

·         Develop a vision and plan of work with achievable short and long term goals and objectives.

·         Promote cooperation between the local government and downtown business community.

·         Solicit and receive contributions, gifts, property and grants, exclusively in furtherance of the purposes of the corporation.

The proposed new board members were introduced and attorney, David Henderson carried out the task of filing Articles of Incorporation and obtaining IRS tax-exempt status. John Green suggested Swiss Bear, Inc. for the new organization’s name as it related to the founding of the city by a native of Bern, Switzerland.

Per the by-laws, the Board of Directors consisted of nine members by virtue of their office; New Bern Historic Foundation  (New Bern Preservation Foundation), New Bern Historical Society, New Bern City Government, New Bern City Administration, Craven County Government, Craven County Administration, Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Merchants Association and the New Bern City Planning Board.  Nine additional at-large members representing a broad cross-section of the community were appointed to serve three year terms.

Over the years, representation was amended and expanded to include CarolinaEast Health System, Craven Arts Council & Gallery, Craven Community College, Municipal Service District Advisory Committee and City Department of Development Services and Public Works, Craven County Economic Development Commission and the Tourism Development Authority, eighteen at-large members and ten with the designation of Emeritus. In the 1990’s, the name was changed to Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corporation for more clarity.

In 1981, when New Bern became a Main Street City, Swiss Bear and the local government determined the 501(c) 3 organizational model should continue.  As a free standing private nonprofit Main Street organization, it could qualify for grants, solicit tax deductible contributions for projects and fundraising campaigns and it would force the organization to remain focused on its role/mission. In comparison, as a City Department, the downtown director would be a city employee with either a department of their own or be within a department such as Planning or Public Works and with a change in political leadership programs could be eliminated. Currently 21 of the 58 NC Main Street Cities have the 501(c) 3 designation.

As a 501(c) 3 nonprofit, the challenge to insure the organization’s sustainability is having the continuity of stable board, staff, volunteers and adequate funding.  Membership restrictions, allowing only friends of the organization, prevents raising revenue though membership dues. From its beginning, the City and County supported Swiss Bear by providing annual appropriations for two thirds of the budget and the organization raised the remaining third. For the past two years, for economic reasons, the County denied our request for an appropriation. The City’s annual appropriation funds 30% of the budget and Swiss Bear raises the remainder through private contributions and MUMFEST proceeds. Swiss Bear’s long term sustainability, without government support, is questionable.

Since its founding, the volunteer Board of Director’s meets the third Thursday of every month. A draft Program of Work, presented for Board approval in January, summarizes current/on-going and new projects, defines goals and objectives and assigns deadlines and responsibilities for each project. Because local government plays a major role in downtown’s economic growth, the City, County and Swiss Bear have worked closely to restructure downtown’s economic base.  By collaborating with the business community and community groups, developing innovative solutions, initiating and facilitating projects and fundraising campaigns, Swiss Bear facilitates projects that assist local government in creating a vibrant downtown district.

Over the past 35 years, Swiss Bear raised in excess of $8,000,000 (directly or played a vital role) for downtown projects through fundraising campaigns, grants and property donations to the city. This does not include attracting development projects that added millions in public and private investment, increased sales and tax revenues and property values, the expansion of tourism into a major industry or the creation of hundreds of jobs.

Entrepreneurial in its approach, Swiss Bear’s reputation for seizing opportunities, developing projects, and taking the necessary risks to effect change is widely recognized and respected.  Swiss Bear’s tangible and measurable accomplishments clearly demonstrate the value of a nonprofits service to the community and the broad based renewal that began in 1970’s is having a positive economic impact on all of Craven County.

Since 1979, eight community leaders have served as chairman: Doug Davis, Joe Stallings, Harold Talton, Lonnie Pridgen, Ricky Brown, Marvin Raines, Alex Badger, Al Coley, Ernie Richardson and Bob Mattocks (currently)

Executive directors; Kay Williams (1981-1983), Marvin Davis (1983-85), Susan Moffat Thomas (1985 to present).