Streetscape improvements: Past and present

Middle Street is shown with the new
Streetscape improvements.

June and July of 1994: noise from jackhammers, commotion, dust, visible evidence of a city’s prosperous optimistic mood. An army of men with  heavy equipment tearing up the 200 block of Middle Street in preparation of the new streetscape improvements uncover old street car tracks and brick street pavers encapsulated under the asphalt, relics from an earlier period prosperity.

Middle Street in the late 1980s was
in need of some improvement.

In the early 1900’s the sights and sounds in the downtown area were similar, but far more aggressive. By 1910 the city had completed an extensive program of public improvements, funded in part by a bond referendum in an amount equal to $1 million. This included the installation of 25 miles of concrete sidewalks, granite curbing and the paving of 35 blocks of streets with brick.

The city improvements were a result of a period of growth and prosperity in the first several decades of the 20th century. The depressed financial conditions of the late 1800’s and repayment of old debt prevented badly needed improvements prior to that time. In this period of prosperity, the lumber industry, the large-scale manufacturing of commercial fertilizers, shipping, fish, oysters and agriculture had a tremendous impact on the growth of the New Bern’s downtown area and outlaying areas directly or indirectly.  The Elks Temple, (the largest office building in the city), Union Station, Saint Luke’s Hospital, schools and many other buildings were constructed in addition to the development of two new suburban residential areas, Riverside and Ghent.

The Ghent developers formed the New Bern Ghent Street Railway Company in 1912 which installed a street car system linking Spencer Avenue to Pollock and Middle and then looping to South Front Street, to Craven Street continuing on to Queen Street, down Queen to Metcalf and then back to Pollock Street.

The street car lines, the extension of city services and development of new communities allowed residents to move out of the more congested areas of the city. This gradual exodus to the suburbs and the collapse of the lumber industry in the late 20’s brought profound change, and led ultimately to the gradual decline of the downtown and surrounding areas.

With the celebration of the United States Bicentennial, reconstruction of Tryon Palace, establishment of the New Bern Preservation Foundation, development of the 1977 Downtown Central Business District Revitalization Plan, and creation of Swiss Bear, an era of optimism began to develop as New Bern’s historic features were seen as resources that could be used to revive a declining downtown economy.

Unlike the early 1900 streetscape improvements, the public improvements that began to take place in the 1980’s, in an attempt to regain prosperity, was due to  the  public/private partnerships with the local government, Swiss Bear and the additional municipal service district taxes paid by downtown property owner.

By the early 1990’s, major streetscape improvements became a priority project. The sidewalks installed in early the 1900’s were narrow and in poor condition in the retail core and required improvements to present a desirable high quality image and increase retail presence and increased trade. Then City Manager Bill Hartman and Alderman Bill Ballenger involved Swiss Bear in the process to ensure community support and the project’s success.

The first phase of improvements involved deciding on a design concept for the streets. This was done in a preliminary way during the preparation of the Urban Design Plan and Guidelines. During that work, the retail areas of Middle, Craven and Pollock were classified as needing the highest level of finish and given the highest priority for implementation.

During the conceptual Design work that followed in 1992, alternative paving patterns and design details for the different types of streetscape were presented to the steering committee by Land Design Research, Inc. and preferred alternatives were chosen. The choice for the retail streets was red brick bands enclosing an area of hexagonal concrete pavers. Preliminary choices for street furniture and lighting were also made.

The recommendations for the design standards were presented to the Historic Preservation Commission for review and approval followed by the Board of Aldermen’s adoption of the design standards as public policy.

The process of preparing construction documents was far more challenging than in the early 1900’s. In addition to a survey of the street to the define exact position of curbs, streets, water and gas meters, building walls at street level other considerations were downspouts, grates, traffic and street lights, electric poles and so on. The prepared drawings showed exactly how the new streetscape would fit into existing conditions … what would be demolished and how the new street, sidewalks and fixtures were to be constructed.

Funding for the $500,000 improvements with Municipal Service District (MSD) monies was approved by the MSD Advisory Committee with the stipulation, all materials used had to be of first quality.

To minimize the impact on the downtown businesses the contract for the three blocks required the completion of improvements in 60 days. Everything possible was done to anticipate problems and the decision was made to begin June 6 as inevitable setbacks could be minimized with longer work days and warmer weather. 

To say goodbye to the old streets and sidewalks, the June “Alive At Five” kicked off with a Street Dance. Advance publicity encouraged people to come downtown and see downtown grow and enjoy the shops “construction” sales.

A ceremonial “street breaking” was held with John Peterson, MSD Chairman, Mayor Tom Bayliss, Swiss Bear Chairman Ricky Brown and the Swiss Bear Executive Director, turned over the spadefuls of loose asphalt, initiating the first phase of downtown’s streetscape improvements.

As the old pavement was hauled away, treasure hunters emerged in full force with metal detectors in hand. The thrill of the find included old buttons, coins, trolley track spikes and many other collectibles.

By the end of August the 100 and 200 blocks were finished … visible evidence of a city’s prosperous optimistic mood. Since then 12 blocks in the core downtown area have been completed with MSD funds. The urban renewal tract along the Trent River, separated from the core retail area in the 1970’s, became a united with the central business district with the recent streetscape improvements to South Front Street.

Swiss Bear reminiscences...Mike's Jewelry

Bruce and Cindy Price opened the doors of Mike's Jewelry
Store on Dec.1, 1992

It wasn’t business as usual when Bruce and Cindy Price opened the doors of Mike’s Jewelry Store on Dec. 1, 1992. After 34 years, the family business established by Mike Crary was in a new and much larger location. Until they moved to the adjacent building, this small family business had grown and prospered over the years in a 50-inch by 50-foot space nestled between two buildings.

The relocation into the adjacent Windley Building at 222 Middle St. reflects the passage of a business to the next generation — a shop that prospered as business increased every year, even during the “doom and gloom” years in the ‘70s when the downtown reached its lowest point.

In my conversation with Crary, in the spring of 1993, he reflected on his long career. Here is Crary’s story:

I must have done something right. In addition to working hard, my philosophy has always been to treat people as I would like to be treated.

I’m just about a native. Although I grew up in Kinston, I had family in New Bern so I spent a lot of time here. I served in the Navy in WWII and have campaign ribbons from every theater from the North Atlantic to the South Pacific.

After the war, like everyone else, I needed a job. When I heard the Jewel Box had an opening I applied. Murray Fitterman owned the business and after the interview, the man put me to work. I went in on the GI bill since it paid for training on the job. We made a deal: If I would work on the floor as a salesman for a year he would train me in watch repair.

Fitterman was one of the toughest and fairest bosses I ever worked for. He was a man of his word. If he promised you something you could put it in the bank. I worked for Mr. Fitterman for seven years and learned the trade of watch repair, among other things. Jimmy Simpkins owned Stanley Jewelers … it was just down the street … he wooed me away from the Jewel Box. Unfortunately Mr. Simpkins’ interest in politics took its toll on the business. First he ran for Alderman and won hands down. Next he ran and was elected to the State Senate. When he ran for a seat in the U.S. Congress, he was defeated by David Henderson of Burgaw. It wasn’t long after that the IRS closed the store.

That left me without a job. As I was walking along Middle Street wondering what I was going to do, I saw a little recessed area … like a hole between two buildings. It was originally an alleyway between the old hotel and the Windley building. Years before Ellis Zaytoun had converted an area of the alley to house a newsstand. He was there for more than 50 years, in fact, he raised three kids and put them through college with that business. He had closed the newsstand several years before.

I knew right then that’s where I needed to set up my shop, even though it was in bad shape. Leo Brody owned the property and he said he would rent it to me but I would have to pay for all of the repairs and would rent me the space for $50 a month and would never raise the rent as long as I stayed there. Mr. Brody was a fine gentleman and a man of his word. Up until we moved, I was still only paying $50 a month.

I put on a new roof, fixed up the interior and hung out my shingle. The shop was small, 50-inches wide and 20-feet deep at that time. I didn’t need any more room since all I had was a watch workbench and my tools. They were the only things the IRS didn’t confiscate.

Since I had worked downtown for so many years, I was well known. Today, it is cheaper to buy a new watch than to get on fixed, but years ago it wasn’t that way. People had their watches repaired frequently. I had a lot of repeat customers … some who couldn’t read. So to let people know where I was, I would run ads with my picture … when people would see my face and that haircut they knew where to find me. I’ve had the same brush cut for 50 years.

I worked late into the night repairing watches and put every dollar I could into merchandise. I knew money wasn’t only to be made with my hands … a large inventory and different lines of merchandise were the answer and my business prospered. Even during downtown’s low point in the late 1979’s, his business increased. He attributed this to his store being a destination … one that provided a service and had many return customers or “friends.”

Crary retired when Bruce and Cindy Price opened the new store. His wife, Mabel worked in the new store until she passed away in 2006. Mike, now 95, resides at the Sterling House.

Current owners Bruce and Cindy’s biggest problem has been adjusting to and compensating for the growth of business.

Reflections on Mitchell Hardware

Mitchell Hardware as seen today.

Snapshot: October 1987 — a typical Saturday morning at the Corner Grill (now the Chelsea), the restaurant filled with people enjoying a leisure breakfast while catching up on the week’s news.

At one particular table the conversation of three locals, Paul Johnson, Stewart Smith and Harold Talton turned to the fate of Mitchell’s Hardware located in the Old City Hall Building on Craven Street.

The original location of Mitchell Hardware at
220 Craven St. is occupied today by
Ballantynes Framing & Art.

Paul Johnson, Buzz Mitchell’s health is so poor I hear they are going to sell Mitchell’s Hardware. Stewart’s response, Harold, let’s buy it!

On the following Wednesday, October 7, Harold Talton had “closed the deal” and he and his wife Pat were the sole owners of an old-timey hardware store that had been in the Mitchell family for over 90 years.

In a conversation with Harold (Swiss Bear Chairman) I raised the obvious question. Why did a successful businessman, community leader, a regional vice president for First Citizens Bank, recently recognized for 40 years of service, buy, relocate and expand an old-timey store?

Here’s Harold’s reply beginning with a brief history lesson. Mitchell Hardware started out as a livery stable in 1898, which sold in addition to mules and horses, wagons and harnesses. In the early 1900’s they went out of the livery business and got into hardware. To put it more colorfully, they opened the gate, ran the horses and mules off and brought in the hardware.

Within a year’s time, change was in the wind. My original intention was to stay at the location on 220 Craven Street but the space, only 17 feet wide, just wasn’t big enough. The Parker Building just across the street was on the market and I saw the potential.

Harold continued, even before I heard the hardware store was for sale on that Saturday morning over coffee, I knew Greg Smith, a Boy Scout executive for 10 years, was looking to change his life style. Before I made the offer on the building, I talked with Greg. Within a two-week period, Greg was married, had a new job and was in a new town to run and manage the hardware store.

When I turn in my key and Master Card at First Citizens Bank, I hope to spend some time there.

What they attempted to do was recreate a turn-of-the-century hardware store. The fact that Mitchell’s was old-timey is the main reason Harold bought it. He enjoyed going to auctions and estate sales to look for and buy items that would have been sold at the turn-of-the-century. They are used as decorations in the store, but most items are for sale.

When they purchased the S.B. Parker Building, the tin-pressed ceilings were still in-tact. Although many people recommended lowering the ceilings to retain all the fluorescent fixtures that had been hung over the years, he removed and replaced them with lights from that era and three old ceiling paddle fans that were made the same year the building was constructed.

He put in wooden floors and built additional shelving to match the original shelving that was still in the building. The counter is the original counter from the old Mitchell Hardware.

Over the years he continued to add “old” items and merchandise to “add to the customer’s experience”.

The hardware carries a full range of nails, paints, tools, etc., and specialty food items - jams, smoked hams in season, even honey from his own bees.

As a result of a casual conversation one Saturday morning, Mitchell Hardware incorporated as “Hams, Jams, Hardware and Stuff, Inc.” is and continues to be a place where people browse, visit, and explore for no better reason than they just like being there for the pure pleasure of being there.

*Harold Talton was chairman of Swiss Bear for a total of eight years. He passed away in 2008 and Greg bought the business from the Talton family several years later. It was a wise decision on Harold’s part to bring Greg into the business. Greg is an ambassador for downtown and Mitchell Hardware is a destination for visitors and area citizens alike.

1981: Promotions bring new life to downtown

Part of a continuing series that appears every other week in the Sun Journal: June 30, 2013

Visitor check out antiques at a
car show in 1980.

Crowds stroll downtown during the
1982 Spring Arts Festival.

The Coastal Christmas Flotilla in 1985
illustrated the downtown's continuing revival.

In March 1981, Kay Williams, Swiss Bear’s first Executive Director was hired and Swiss Bear’s first official office (417A Tryon Palace Drive in a commercial space donated for six months by Earl Finch) opened in a space shared with the Arts Council.  Office furniture/equipment was donated by local banks, businesses and citizens.

With a new director and assistant in place, and the adoption in April of the Main Street Program’s Four Point Approach (promotions, design, organization and economic re-structuring), Swiss Bear was off and running at full swing. Committees were appointed to develop a program of work for each element to begin implementing the Main Street objectives.

The Promotion Committee’s charge (Chairman Martha Smith, Charles Blythe, Gordon Parrott and Ted Hanes) was to expand Swiss Bear’s role in developing quality joint marketing promotions, special events and advertising packages in conjunction with the Chamber, Tryon Palace and the Downtown Merchant Association.  The goal was to provide entertainment with enough community-wide impact and excitement to draw crowds to the downtown area that would encourage people to spend more time downtown, increase the pedestrian traffic and enhance retail revenues.

Taking the Main Street Resource Team’s recommendations to heart, numerous new events and promotions were developed and existing ones expanded to attract larger numbers.

Swiss Bear held Couture D’ Antan, a fashion show, in March.  In April, the 2^nd Annual Swiss Bear Princess Contest brought a capacity crowd of about 500 people to the Saax Bradbury Theatre. Two Swiss Bear costumes were purchased; one given to the high school and one for appearances at promotional events.

Swiss Bear accepted the Arts Council’s request to help generate a large turnout at their May Spring Arts Festival by launching balloons the Saturday before filled with coupons from downtown shops that could be redeemed on the day of the festival.

A Fourth of July Celebration, jointly coordinated by  County and City Recreation Departments, Swiss Bear, Agriculture Extension Service, Jaycees, Ladies of the Craven Civitan Club and Merchants Association began with Mayor Leander Morgan proclaiming it was New Bern’s 204^th Independence Day Celebration. The day included a  parade, numerous activities in downtown and  Bicentennial Park (urban renewal land) including helicopter and pony rides and concluded with a USMC 2d Aircraft Wing Band followed by a fireworks display attended by 10,000 spectators.

A Swiss Bear Antique Car Show in August, held in various downtown parking lots, was funded by various concessions and the raffle of a mini Model T Ford.

The Swiss Bear Festival included Tryon Palace’s Chrysanthemum Sunday as a part of the week-end festivities and the Rescue Squad held a barbeque pig cooking contest. 

Kay worked with the Masonic Order, Footlight/Lollipop Theatres and Pro Musica negotiating the opening of the ca. 1808 Masonic Theatre (closed to the public since the early 1970’s) to be available to group’s for family entertainment.

For the first time, many merchants joined together to do a joint advertising Christmas campaign (radio, TV and ads) promoting downtown as a shopping center. They sponsored a Christmas parade and for the three weeks prior to Christmas, hired a Santa for the Santa House. Downtown street lights were decorated with lighted lanterns and red ribbon bows. Stores stayed open with lighted candle lanterns in front of their shops offering candlelight shopping. The Harvey Mansion Restaurant (recently rehabbed) held a special evening of 19^th Century English entertainment and food in the spirit of a Dickens Christmas the evenings of Tryon Palace’s candlelight tours.

All the joint marketing efforts paid off. The Sun Journal published its second downtown tabloid highlighting downtown’s fall and winter events. The Gazette devoted an issue to the Main Street project and the importance of public/private partnerships. New Bern was featured as a NC Main Street city in Southern Living’s October issue. Three local hotel’s worked with New Bern Guided Tours and Tryon Palace to package special escape week-ends for the January – March off season. Swiss Bear worked on a proposal to market New Bern as the “Southern Surprise” with a tie to Pepsi and its downtown birthplace.

The Martin Agency, Richmond, VA, provided consultation services to assist Swiss Bear’s promotion program and Harry Jacobs (native New Bernian and owner of the agency) met with Kay and the Chamber’s Tourism Task Force with recommendations on developing a strategy to market downtown’s historic district.  Swiss Bear worked with various groups developing a unified calendar of events and began promoting them through the NC Department of Travel and Tourism.

In the mid-1990’s, Swiss Bear’s antique show and Coastal Christmas Celebration and Flotilla (created in 1985) were spun off to other organizations as the growth of the Swiss Bear/MUMFEST required a year round time commitment. In the meantime, the number of groups sponsoring events and promotions has steadily increased playing a vital role in bringing new life, sparkle and activity to downtown.  

The call to action initiated by the 1977 Central Business District Revitalization Plan and the Main Street Program for Swiss Bear and the public and private sectors to work together in a cooperative spirit continues to serve as an important catalyst for investment in our historic downtown.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

Bringing new life to the waterfront

Part of a continuing series that appears every other week in the Sun Journal: June 16, 2013

A new waterfront Sheraton Hotel and marina broke
ground in 1985 with the help of a $2 million grant.

This new offering helped bring new life to New Bern's waterfront.

The City of New Bern had tried unsuccessfully to redevelop the remaining 12.5 acre urban renewal vacant parcel on the Trent waterfront for 13 years. Many plans and efforts to redevelop the property never generated any productive proposals. Developing a high quality waterfront redevelopment project was needed to establish a new market of recreation and tourism, critical to downtown’s revitalization effort.

In early 1983, in partnership with City Manager Tony Hooper, Swiss Bear under the leadership of Harold Talton, chairman, and Marvin Davis, executive director, began to aggressively solicit and recruit a developer to construct a hotel with a national franchise. Knowing the numbers were weak, a UDAG was fundamentally necessary to make a project possible. Developers were solicited showing special financing as to how this could be a marginally profitable development, with potential gain over the long term. Although several developers put proposals together, of four proposals received, only two were considered viable enough for the city’s consideration.

In November 1983, following the developers presentations, the Board of Aldermen selected and granted Maurice Elledge and Associates 120 days for the exclusive right to complete a market analysis, secure a franchise, and develop a project financing plan. In May 1984, Maurice Elledge and Associates submitted a letter of commitment to Mayor Paul Cox on behalf of the Trent Development Associates for development of a 100 room Sheraton Hotel with a meeting/conference center and retail space, a 100 slip boat marina and a pedestrian river walkway to be located on 8.5 acres of the City’s redevelopment land with a total cost of $10.1 million, creating approximately 160 new jobs. The commitment was contingent upon the City getting a $2.5 million Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG).

Without it, the project would not move forward.
The UDAG program (only cities could apply) was designed for projects that otherwise could not take place without the grant. If the city did acquire a grant, the project would be financed with a $5.5 million conventional first mortgage debt, $1.6 million in developer equity and $2.5 in UDAG funds. The City would facilitate the acquisition of the project site by taking back a $520,000 purchase money mortgage on the property. The Maurice Elledge as the developer, J.C. Faw and Richard Vaughn, would be the primary investors.

In October 1984, the UDAG grant amount was reduced to $1.5 million. To strengthen the City’s chance of getting it approved, the project plan continued to have modifications. The project required the less typical UDAG because there was substantial piling and fill associated with the waterfront development project and the developer would be paying the entire cost of the convention center and waterfront promenade for the public’s use. The mix of private financing and below market UDAG would induce private investment and make this very important project possible.

In 1984, 330 cities submitted UDAG applications in the 4th quarter of the federal fiscal year. New Bern placed eighth on the list of cities not receiving funding in the first round and was among a very few carried over to the next quarter of funding to be considered the end of October 1984.

Although politics didn’t normally enter into the Urban Development Action Grant selection process, being an election year, a great deal of work took place behind the scenes. U.S. Senators Jesse Helms and John P. East, U.S. Representative Walter B. Jones and Floyd Lupton were inundated with letters from local and state community leaders and elected officials encouraging their support of the pending UDAG application, critical to the creation of 160 new jobs and the future growth of the city.

On Thursday, Nov. 1, 1984, the front page headlines in the Sun Journal announced, “City wins $2 million development grant.” City hall officials were ecstatic. “This is a great day for the town,” said Mayor Cox. “There’s only one way to feel – glorious.” City Manager Tony Hooper said, “If everything goes smoothly, the city could receive the UDAG funds by Jan. 1, 1985.” Swiss Bear Chairman Joe Stallings said, “This project received 100 percent support from the community and the long term efforts of putting together a comprehensive project of this nature is a tribute to our area.”

“This will be the seed of a tremendous amount of development. It’s really just the tip of the iceberg,” said Marvin Davis. Chamber Director Mike Tiddy said, “The grant may be the most important project since the restoration of Tryon Palace.”

Under the terms of the award, Elledge was to repay the city at six percent interest in the project’s sixth and seventh years and eight percent interest for the rest of the 25-year loan. The city was required to use the developer’s pay back money for other economic or community development projects.

The next steps required submission of a design and site plan for the proposed structure and landscaping to New Bern’s Historic Preservation Commission committee (HPC) and the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources (DCR) to determine the proposed project’s effect on New Bern’s Historic District. Archaeological investigations conducted in 1981 by Archaeological Research Consultants in that general area discovered stratified archeological remains of some historical significance. Since this portion of the Trent River waterfront was heavily used for wharf and waterfront activities, a thorough program of archeological testing was required. The Kellenberger Foundation funded this phase of the project.

By May 1985, the conditions were met and approved, the Board of Aldermen closed on the redevelopment property, the ground breaking was held in June. When the hotel and marina opened in December 1986, the city and Swiss Bear received a Certificate of National Recognition for Waterfront Development for its strong public-private partnership from the Federal Housing and Urban Development.

Tourists filled the hotel and marina slips. One year later, a new Ramada Hotel and marina graced the opposite side of the Trent River shoreline on a parcel of land that was a storage site for used tires.

The two decades of energy and leadership the city, county, Swiss Bear and many others invested in getting a hotel and marina built on the Trent waterfront served as a catalyst in bringing new life, sparkle and activity back to the waterfront.

Susan Moffat-Thomas Executive Director
Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corporation.

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

Municipal Services District: The funding mechanism

Middle St.
Streetscape Improvements

James Reed Lane



Bear Plaza




Craven @ Hotel Service Parking Lot



Among the 1977 Central Business District Revitalization Plan recommendations was development of mid-block pedestrian parks connecting with interior parking lots to supplement existing on-street parking and creation of a Municipal Service District (provided in the NC General Statutes) as a mechanism to fund a wide range of downtown revitalization projects. Also referred to as a BID (Business Improvement District) revenue is generated through imposition of a tax on owners of property subject to the ad valorem property tax in a defined district, not to exceed $1.50 per hundred valuation.

Effective July 1, 1978, at the property owner’s request, the City established the Municipal Service District (MSD) in four core blocks bounded by Craven, Middle, Hancock and Tryon Palace Drive (South Front Street).  The $.50 per $100 valuation, generating $250,000 over a three year period was used to develop Bear Plaza ($75,000) on a vacant Middle Street lot, the former site of the Coplon Smith Department Store that burned in the 1970”s. The interior of the mid-block park allowed convenient access (walkabilty) to the second MSD project known as the Federal Alley Parking Lot. The owners of 22 separate properties, ranging in size from 75 to 11,500 square feet in the interior block, signed a five year renewable agreement allowing the City to develop the interior area with MSD funds ($175,000) to be utilized as a common parking area.

In 1984, with the completion of the two projects, the rate was reduced to $.25, generating $24,000 annually. Seen as insufficient funds for any long term major improvements, Swiss Bear led the effort to expand the special tax district based on a plan of public improvements. Mayor Bengel and the Board of Aldermen approved and appointed a MSD Advisory Committee: Jim Chagaris, Virginia McSorley, Paul Johnson, Lou Steinberg, Blackie Stith, Lonnie Pridgen, Harold Talton and Susan Moffat.

They met in June ’85 to define objectives and explore expansion of the district to encompass the entire central business district so adequate funds could be generated to implement defined on-going public improvements. Smith Design Group was hired to develop general guidelines used to solicit property owner’s support to expand the district to encompass the area bounded by property on the north side of Broad Street, west side of Hancock Street to the shorelines of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. Following public hearings, the Board of Aldermen approved the expansion with the exclusion of vacant lots and residential property and reduced the tax rate to $.18 for that fiscal year.

In 2007, the MSD Committee discussed amending the 1986 ordinance to include all properties, residential, commercial and vacant land, as many residences had now become rental properties or converted for commercial.  Since the value of all property within the MSD had increased, many by 700-900%, the Committee believed all property owners in the MSD should be taxed as all properties were benefiting from the improvements. A review of the General Statue determined, when a boundary was defined and approved by the municipality, individual lots within that district (except those with nonprofit status) could not be exempted. Following several public hearings, on January 8, 2008, the Board of Aldermen adopted a resolution to incorporate previously excluded real property into the existing MSD.

Since its creation, MSD tax dollars provided the bulk of funding for numerous public projects; 12 blocks of major streetscape improvements, new streetlights, landscaping, street furniture, four parking lots, two mid-block pedestrian parks, two alleyways improved, design guidelines, special reports, purchase of the lot at the northwest  corner of Craven and South Front Street, personnel for litter pick-up, foot patrol and South Front Street streetscape improvements from East Front to Hancock Street that will begin in the very near future.

The commitment of property owner’s and involvement of the private sector has been vital to downtown’s success. The increase in property values within the MSD reinforces it.

MSD Property values 1979- 2012

• $8.75 million - 1979-80

• $63 million - 2002-2003

• $109,537,935 - 2009-2010

• $166,823,448 - 2010-2011

• $167,782,462 - 2011-2012

Swiss Bear coordinates the MSD meetings held quarterly at which time the City provides an up-date on funds and projects. The current tax rate is $.12.

Swiss Bear: a catalyst for positive economic change

200 Block of Middle Street

Broad Street 1970's

 

In the post WWII years, the advent of the automobile, railways and improved roads led to the gradual deterioration of small towns across the nation. Suburbanization, a new phenomenon and development of shopping malls, enticed residents to leave the old established residential neighborhoods for the newly developing residential areas.

In New Bern, an important port and mercantile center in the early 1900’s, the downtown was the heart and soul of the community, the center of civic and social activity and in a very real sense, symbolized the community’s identity and embodied its heritage. However, by the mid-1990’s, New Bern became nothing more than a rest stop—a town that people passed through on the way to the beach.



Deteriorating Waterfront

The downtown waterfront lined with piers, ships, and barges  bringing goods from all over the world to the businesses of lower Middle and Craven Streets in the early 1900’s, steadily declined. Deteriorating warehouses and vacated commercial buildings were a blight on the waterfront.  As businesses closed and buildings were boarded up, tax revenues declined. Many historic homes were demolished.  Construction of the Neuse River Bridge in the early 50's and widening of Broad Street to accommodate automobile traffic led to the downtown's further decline, creating a barrier between the residential area and the central business district.  

 

 

Middle Street

Downtown reached its lowest point in the early 1970's when, under a federal urban renewal program, all but three buildings along the Trent River on the 14-acre tract between East Front and Hancock Streets were demolished. A concrete bulkhead was constructed and the land filled in hopes of attracting new development.  Although an Economic Development Commission was formed, the 14-acre parcel remained vacant throughout the decade.

In the late 1970's, local government officials and community leaders worked together to reverse the decline.  A Central Business District Plan was completed.  The Plan recognized the key role the City’s historic assets, the downtown waterfront and expansion of the tourism industry could play in the revitalization of the downtown and redevelopment of its waterfront. The plan recommended bringing a new market into the downtown area to support remaining businesses and strengthen the deteriorating tax base.  The combination of resources could justify the efforts necessary to attract a market of recreation, tourism, and retirement-oriented housing to the area so the downtown would once again become a thriving center of civic activity..

The Plan recommended creating a locally funded, private nonprofit organization to spearhead and coordinate revitalization efforts--thus the establishment of Swiss Bear in 1979. The agency’s name is derived from the hometown of the City’s founders, Bern, Switzerland (Bern means Bear in German). The objective of this public/private approach was to tap the energy and motivational resources of the business community, coordinate and fund some of the private enterprise efforts and work closely with the City and County governments.

A National Register and local historic district was created to encompass the central business district and surrounding residential area. In 1980 New Bern was selected to participate in the NC Main Street Program, developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to encourage economic development.

Thirty four years later, downtown New Bern’s recognition as a Main Street success story is due to many factors. Development of long range plans with achievable goals, involvement of local government officials and community leaders and the commitment of the Swiss Bear organization that helped create an environment that promotes tourism, attracts retirees and other residents has intensified the sense of pride and community spirit in New Bern.

Future columns relate challenges and opportunities Swiss Bear and the community met to revive and preserve our historic downtown. For more information go to: www.downtownnewbern.com

 

Feb. 3, 2013

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

'A greater downtown will not merely be a dream'

Volunteers display Swiss Bear's new flag
made by a local citizen not long after the
 organization's creation in 1979.

On April 5, 1979, the Downtown Revitalization Committee officially transferred its responsibilities to the newly created organization, yet to be named and formally structured, at a public meeting in the Tryon Palace Auditorium. Its mission: to stimulate and coordinate the revitalization of the downtown and redevelopment of its waterfront.

In May, Doug Davis, Chairman; John Green, Vice Chairman; Virginia McSorley, Secretary; B.J. Wright, Treasurer were elected by acclamation to lead the organization.  Following the election, a motion by committee member David Henderson that the organization needed to file for incorporation, the Chairman stated a name for the group was necessary for incorporation. John Green’s suggestion, Swiss Bear, Inc., was adopted.

In late August, Swiss Bear received the incorporation charter as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit providing the right prescribed by law to solicit and receive contributions and gifts, exclusively for charitable or social welfare in furtherance of the purposes of the corporation and federal tax exempt status. 

By-laws were adopted and the composition of the board of directors consisted of not less than 18 or more than 25, nine by virtue of their office: New Bern Historic 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 New Bern Planning Board. Nine additional members elected from the community-at-large, composed of citizens who demonstrated an interest in the objectives and work of the corporation.  

Charter members of the first board were George Slade, Harry Vatz, Martha Smith, Gordon Parrott, Jim Ross, Bill Edwards, Dell Ipock, Frank Hargett, Nick Scholz, J.C. Outlaw, David Henderson, Johnny West, John Hill, l.J. Eubanks, Jr., Roland Grubbs, George Scott and Ralph Mann.

Martha Smith designed the first official logo and a budget of $45,000 was adopted. Swiss Bear committed to raising $15,000 from the community with commitments from the City and County of $15,000 each in matching funds. The board would meet the third Wednesday of every month at 7:30 a.m. to carry out the established goals and priorities.  

Activities and accomplishments of the Downtown Revitalization Committee and Swiss Bear in the late 1970’s included:

• Raised $8,000 to fund the Central Business District Revitalization Plan.
• Recommended the City’s purchase of the Coplon-Smith vacant lot to develop a mini-park (Bear Plaza) to provide access to Middle Street from the inner block parking area.
• Garnered   support of downtown property owners and requested the City’s establishment of a special tax district to fund downtown public improvements.
• Acquired grant funds and commissioned renderings of the downtown storefronts by East Carolina Regional Development Institute to encourage facade rehabilitation.
• Sponsored the first annual Swiss Bear Festival.  
• Sponsored public forums on the importance of historic preservation.
• Developed plans for forming a Historic Preservation Commission approved by the City Planning Board.
• Lobbied with other businesses for retention of the Courthouse in the downtown.
• Assisted the New Bern Civic Theatre in the acquisition of the Tryon Theatre on Pollock Street.
• Assisted the newly formed Craven Arts Council & Gallery with the acquisition of the old First Citizens Bank and establishment of the Bank of the Arts.




A Swiss Bear Festival sign displayed in front
of a vacant building that housed an antique show
not long after the organization's creation in 1979.

As 1979 drew to a close, a memo to all downtown businesses from John Phillips, owner of Bryant McLeod Men’s Store, summed up an event filled year.

 “We got the ball rolling! With your continued enthusiasm and attendance at Swiss Bear’s informal monthly meetings, looking forward to a GREATER DOWNTOWN NEW BERN will not merely be a dream. It will become a reality that we, working together for a common goal, will see come to pass.”

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director