Downtown pedestrian connections

Creating a strong sense of community... 

Church Alley after
construction was completed

Church Alley during
construction

To create a downtown that will attract a diverse concentrated mix of uses and foster economic interaction among these uses, it is essential to encourage people through the downtown core on foot by establishing an attractive system of pedestrian connections. Pedestrian connections create a strong sense of community and walkability, an important goal in New Bern’s downtown revitalization effort.

According to the summary of existing conditions in the 1977 Downtown Revitalization Plan, pedestrian access from the mid-block parking lots to the shops that fronted Middle, Pollock and Craven streets was inadequate, in some cases dangerous and generally unattractive. To achieve walkability, the 1977 Plan proposed an open space system for the entire redevelopment effort starting at the bulkhead of the urban renewal property along the Trent River and continuing along the Neuse River to connect with the historic residential and commercial district. The plan envisioned connecting mid-block parking lots to shopping streets, creating additional walking path systems (Riverwalk) through the city that would extend out to the water’s edge (Riverwalk) system.

The first mid-block pedestrian park, created in 1981 with Municipal Service District (MSD) funds (additional taxes paid by downtown property owners for public improvements) was Bear Plaza, which connected to the newly constructed interior parking lot referred to as Federal Alley. The 1990 Urban Design Plan, initiated and coordinated by Swiss Bear in partnership with the city, reiterated the importance of pedestrian connections and recommended existing through-block pedestrian connections be improved, enhanced and new ones developed when the opportunity arose.

As a result, Church Alley (between Remax and Tom’s Coins), the walkway between First Baptist Church and O. Marks, and the walkway along the Century 21 building from South Front into the interior Federal Alley parking area and the alley between Morgan’s Tavern and the adjacent building were improved to include paving, some with lighting and landscaping. However, a pedestrian connection was still needed on Pollock Street.

In early 1994, when Swiss Bear heard the owner of the old pool hall was considering selling it, with approval from the Municipal Service District Advisory Committee and the city, Swiss Bear board member Stewart Smith approached the owner and worked out an agreement for the city to purchase the building with MSD funds. Acquiring this property was a goal for the creation of a through-block pedestrian linkage onto Pollock Street as recommended in the 1990 Urban Design Plan. This small one-story building was in poor repair, without architectural distinction and its removal would allow a dramatic direct view of the steeple of the Episcopal Church, mirroring the view of the First Baptist through Church Alley.

Swiss Bear hired Allison Platt & Associates to design a plan for the space with plantings, old brick from the streets of New Bern, street lights, benches and a three-tier fountain. Following demolition of the old building by the City, the project was put on hold as the remaining MSD funds were committed for the first phase of major streetscape improvements to the 100/200 blocks of Middle Street.

Swiss Bear met the challenge to move the project forward and worked to raise the needed funds and find an appropriate name for the mid-block pedestrian park. The late Rev. Edward Sharp of Christ Episcopal Church had been a strong supporter of the revitalization effort and Swiss Bear so I asked for his assistance to recommend a name for the park. Through his research efforts, the New Bern Board of Aldermen approved our request to name the park James Reed Lane in memory and honor of this 18th century pioneer in public education. After 230 years, the Rev. James Reed, first rector of Christ Church, received belated public recognition for his role in establishing in New Bern, North Carolina’s first incorporated school in 1764.

The city agreed to provide the labor for development of the space and our campaign to raise $60,000 for construction materials, streetlights, benches and planting materials was successful. Additional funding for the beautiful three-tier cast iron fountain was contributed by Dr. and Mrs. Harry MacDonald in honor of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.J. MacDonald. John C. Thomas constructed the abstract wood wall hanging and donated the brownstone plaque in the sidewalk that recognizes the MacDonald’s contribution. Contributors to the project are listed on a bronze plaque on the brick wall facing the park.

On Feb. 25, 1996, 2 p.m., the dedication was a joyous well attended occasion. In addition to remarks from Reverend Sharp, the Swiss Bear director and chairman, special guest Patrick Dorsey, North Carolina secretary of Cultural Resources, was the keynote speaker.

Thanks to a public/private partnership that began in the late 1970s, the development of this mid-block pedestrian park added another amenity that enhanced the “walkability and sense of place” of our historic downtown. Downtown now offers a mix of restaurants, retail, galleries, attractions, offices, parks and housing that promote interaction. Since the downtown economy thrives on accessibility, networking, creativity and a sense of community, the numerous pedestrian connections play a vital role as interaction is key to downtown’s success.

Susan Moffat-Thomas

Executive Director of Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corporation.

Sunrise Business Update - December 5

Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corporation and the New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce are happy to announce the fifth Sunrise Business Update will be held Thursday, December 5. Featured speaker, Marc Finlayson, Finlayson Consulting will provide an up-date on Highway 17 and how the Highway 17 project, particularly Jones and Craven Counties, are affected by the new formula for allocating highway money, HB817-Strategic Transportation Investments, which changed the states’ previous equity formula ranking projects by statewide significance.

Marc has managed the Highway 17 Association for many years providing public relations/media relations, marketing and advertising services.  Prior to launching his company in 2002, Finlayson served as Weyerhaeuser’s North Carolina  Communications Manager.  Through his work with the Highway 17 Association, he was asked to co-chair NC Go!, the statewide transportation advocacy coalition, speaking for improvements to all transportation systems in the state, including highways, public transit and ports. Marc earned  a Bachelor of Arts degree in News/Editorial Journalism from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The meeting will be held 8 – 9 a.m. at Baker’s Kitchen, 227   Middle Street in the second floor meeting room with a full buffet breakfast.  The cost, $10 per person, will be collected at the beginning of the meeting.

Due to limited seating, reservations are required by contacting the Chamber.  You can reply by email to smilliron@newbernchamber.com or by calling 637-3111.  Reservations for the December 5 meeting are required by the end of the Tuesday, December 3^rd work day.

The bi-monthly program (held the last Thursday of the month) is being held December 5, due to the Thanksgiving holiday is the last of the 2013 Sunrise Business Up-date series.  

Swiss Bear and the Chamber of Commerce provide this opportunity for the business community to meet and hear presentations from business professionals on topics that are important and timely to New Bern, Craven County and Eastern North Carolina.

For more information on the Chamber go to www.newbernchamber.com or  Swiss Bear www.downtownnewbern.com.

The Baxter Street clock - a new lease on life

On May 5, 1977, disaster struck when a furniture truck
backed into the clock and bent the clock pillar.The remaining
paneled based stood as a constant reminder of the tragic
accident for the next fourteen years.

An essential element of downtown’s sense of place, in addition to its historical structures, is its street furniture. Street lights, signage and benches provide a sense of intimacy throughout the downtown.

A striking and cherished street amenity dominating the 300 block of Pollock Street is the large 1920 oversized cast iron four faced clock. Known as the Baxter Four-faced Street Clock, this important landmark is a highly prized community possession listed on the National Register and is one of a very few that still remain in this county. 

The Baxter Street Clock reached the $28,000 goal in a matter
of months and was dedicated on April 20, 1991

Today a rarity, street clocks were a common streetscape element in many American cities from the 1860s well after the turn of the 20th century. Small business owners, like New Bern’s J. O. Baxter family who bought and installed this 1920 Seth Thomas street clock on July 24 in front of the Baxter Jewelry Store, painted the name of their business on the clock faces as a convenience to customers and distinctive way to advertise their store.

The street clocks in the eastern part of the United States began to be manufactured in the 1860 –’70s, primarily by the Seth Thomas Company and the E. Howard Clock & Watch Company, two successful American pioneer clock companies.

Larger than human scale, initially the clocks were operated by a mechanism based on a weight calculated according to the number of feet needed for its fall. When wound, the clock would run for eight days. By the early 1900s, they were mechanized and operated from a master clock inside owner’s store.

Located on sidewalks, near the curb, many were prey to sidewalk ordinances or more frequently, automobile and truck accidents. Such was the fate of the Baxter Street Clock. On May 5, 1977, disaster struck when a furniture truck backed into the clock and bent the clock pillar. In an attempt to straighten it, the Baxter family hired a salvage company with a crane to lift the clock off the pillar and straighten it before placing the clock back on the pillar.

Good in theory, however as the crane picked the clock up, it was accidentally dropped shattering into a multitude of pieces as it hit the sidewalk.

The shock was felt throughout the state.

Excerpts from a letter written on May 10, 1977, by Dabney Coddington, then curator of Education at Tryon Palace to Janet Seapher, a historian in the state’s Historic Preservation Section, Archives and History, provides a personal account and reaction:

Dear Janet:

I hate reporting things like this. The enclosed Sun Journal article covers it fully. The Baxter Street Clock was first knocked loose from its pedestal by a truck very early in the morning, it appears. In righting the clock the next day, you can see what happened.

A comedy of accident and error, but one that has upset a number of people.

Della and Benny Baxter are, as you may guess, quite stunned by the whole happening. The cast iron casing of the clock remains intact, and the upper parts of the workings were what spilled into the street. They have been collected and kept. A letter from you and A. & H. expressing sympathy and offering any advice on repair, would be most fitting. They were very proud of this landmark and I hope they will restore it, even with new modern workings inside. That block of Pollock Street really looks naked, believe me.

Wish I had better news.

When attempts to repair/replace the clock by the Baxter family were unsuccessful, the remaining paneled base stood as a constant reminder of the tragic accident for the next fourteen years.

In 1990, recognizing the clock was an important part of downtown’s history, Swiss Bear decided to investigate the feasibility of having the clock restored. After a bit of research, I contacted the Verdin firm in Ohio, a company founded in 1842 committed to producing the highest quality cast bronze clocks, bells and towers. They had the original patterns of the clock case and agreed to do the restoration project for $28,000.

The Baxter family agreed to give Swiss Bear ownership of the clock base and saved broken parts stored in the basement of the jewelry store on the condition we were able to raise the funds to restore it to its original condition.

Before proceeding with a fundraising campaign and contracting with the Verdin Company, Swiss Bear acquired a commitment from the city to accept ownership of the clock and its on-going maintenance if Swiss Bear raised all the funds and coordinated the project.

The public responded with great enthusiasm and support and the Baxter Clock Restoration Campaign reached the $28,000 goal in a matter of months. Coordination of the project with the Verdin Company took place over the year. The quartz mechanism, installed to enhance the timepiece’s accuracy and reduce maintenance, is battery operated so the original weights seen in the small window in the clock base are no longer a part of the winding mechanism.

On April 20, 1991, the day of the dedication, Swiss Bear transferred clock ownership formally to the City at a ceremony with special guest Patricia Dorsey, NC Secretary of Cultural Resources. When the time came to unveil the precious timepiece, as she tugged on the ropes tied to the tarpaulin covering, the 19-plus foot structure began to waver as the tarpaulin became impaled on the spire at the top of the clock.  

A Public Works employee in a nearby truck with a cherry picker saved the day and lifted the tarp off the clock to a cheering crowd.

Like so many of Swiss Bear’s projects, interested citizens rose to the challenge and their contributions provided a new lease on life for this historic landmark.