The tale of 2 abandoned tugboats and 10 barges

The two abandoned, derelict tug boats rested on the bottom
of this tributary of the Neuse River, at the foot of what is now
the base of the western ramp of the Neuse River Bridge, just
east of New Bern.

My recent articles on the Neuse River Bridge project led to a conversation with Jay Mattingly, former New Bern alderman, on his role in getting two abandoned tugboats removed from Scott’s Creek. The two abandoned, derelict tug boats rested on the bottom of this tributary of the Neuse River, at the foot of what is now the base of the western ramp of the Neuse River Bridge, just east of New Bern. 

Mattingly brought me his huge file of correspondence, photos, newspaper articles and summaries he amassed during the three years and five months he pursued every avenue to get the derelict tugboats removed. 

Mattingly said, “It seemed to me if these were motor vehicles on a city street they would have been removed promptly by city ordinance. Why can maritime law protect scofflaws who ignore or refuse to take proper care of their vessels?” 

Official records confirm the two tugs boats, the George McBlockwood and the J. Edgar Steigerwalk (aka) Snapper (built in the 1920s) were stuck in muck and mire, rusting away for more than 10 years. Sold “as is”, “where is” on Sept. 23, 1993, the tugs were considered abandoned as they were never moved by the owner. In 1994, in response to a complaint by the Neuse River Foundation, the U.S. Coast Guard ordered having the fuel pumped out of the two vessels and removal of an oil slick coming from the tugs. 

In December 1995, the N.C. Department of Transportation purchased land from Weyerhaeuser Company which included the submerged land the tugboats were on to construct U.S. 17and N.C. 55 across the Neuse River.

Mattingly’s quest began July 15, 1998.

He met with Special Deputy Attorney General, N.C. Department of Justice and the Manager of the Department of Transportation (DOT) Right of Way Branch who advised, “They were well aware of the situation but DOT’s mission was to build highways and not to move boats. DOT advertised and received one bid for $258,000, then decided to reject it since the bridge project could be built without moving the boats.” The meeting ended with a referral to speak with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Assistant Chief of Operations who stated, “Since the boats were in the creek and not a hazard to navigation, they were not responsible for doing anything.” 

With both avenues closed, Mattingly contacted P.A. Wojciechowski, division manager, Public Trust Submerged Lands in Morehead City who was knowledgeable on this case. Wojciechowski said he had talked to one of the partners who owned the boats but was unable to get them to remove them.

At his recommendation, Mattingly contacted the Commander and Executive Officer for the Port of Wilmington who advised, “since the pollutant fuels had been pumped out of the tugs, they were no further concern to the U.S. Coast Guard.” 

Undaunted, he contacted the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Boyce Hudson, senior field officer, who investigated the site, told him the boats were there when construction began so provisions were made to work around them and they were no longer a problem to the contractors.

In August, he wrote to DOT Secretary Norris Tolson. Several days later, the N.C. Highway Administrator called and advised “DOT cannot do anything. Legally gas tax dollars can only be spent on highway projects and cannot be used to move boats.” 

Secretary Tolson’s response was more of the same and encouraged Mattingly to continue to work with local authorities. A letter from then Sen. Bev Perdue suggested Craven County could authorize their removal with county funds. Mattingly’s position: since local county officials did not design, purchase the land, or contract with the bridge builders, why should the remedy fall in their jurisdiction? 

At an October meeting with a subcommittee of the Coastal Resources Commission, who are responsible for protecting the estuaries in the coastal region and shoreline stabilization of Public Trust Waters, Mattingly was told, “The tugs did not come under their mandate.” 

On May 21, 1999, he spoke with Rick Dove, Lower Neuse Riverkeeper who referred him to Weyerhaeuser management who in turn told him, Weyerhaeuser sold the property (real estate) where the bridge would be located to DOT and they were not involved with the tugboats. 

Many phone calls and contacts later, he found out previous owners of the tugboats were Bob Piner, general manager of the Morehead Towboat Company, Charles Carver who signed the bills of sale, and Cary McIntyre who was reported to be the primary purchaser. Piner advised Mattingly he sold both boats to a man from Leland, N.C. Mattingly’s attempts to contact that person were not successful and since he had no legal authority or official status to question him, he planned to inquire what his intentions were when he bought them. 

June 9 correspondence from County Attorney Jim Sugg advised, the subject was discussed at the June 7 Board of Commissioners meeting and the County Manager will pursue the matter with DOT. Although unsuccessful to date, the county was trying to find someone other than the County that was involved as the cost of removing the tugs would cost the taxpayers more than $250,000.

The Sun Journal’s first of many articles began on June 24 reporting, County officials want tug boats removed; not sure what can be done, but haven’t given up. 

On the same day, Jason Goins, Legal Aide, Neuse River Foundation advised they were preparing a warning letter to the DOT Secretary, with the intent to sue unless the tugs were removed within 60 days. 

In a June 28 letter to David McCoy (the new DOT Secretary), Mattingly asked him to reconsider DOT’s previous opinion.  More letters and meetings with state and local officials … no replies or “nothing can be done.”N.C. Secretary McCoy held a meeting in New Bern with Marion Smith, executive director of the Neuse River Foundation (NRF), Harold Talton, chairman of the County Commissions, Bob Mattocks, Division II Board of Transportation member, and other state and city officials and DOT staff. McCoy agreed to review DOT’s position, would provide a written up-date on their position and proceed with appropriate solutions.

Part 2

The Neuse River Bridge was a three-part project and T.A. Loving Company built the $13.3 million extension improvements (widening and repairing) to the U.S. 70 Bypass over the Trent River. When the work was completed they left a fleet of rusting barges, some loaded with construction debris. 

A July 20 Sun Journal article reported, “The Neuse River Foundation seeks removal of barges in the Trent River; sent letters to T.A. Loving President/CEO Samuel Hunter giving them 60 days to arrange for removal of the 10 barges. T.A. Loving’s contention was they sold the barges to a New Bern citizen who bought them at auction to sell but defaulted on the portion of the bid owed to the auction company.

More press. Raleigh News & Observer features front page story article ‘Tugs cast pall on new bridge.’” 

Governor Hunt’s letter to Senator Perdue stated funding sources will be explored and will require a cooperative effort. 

Letters to the Sun Journal continued to pour in…some writers suggested the tugs be preserved as art as they were beautiful relics. Others said they were ugly; clean-up should be done by the owners; DOT owned the property and the problem; it was their responsibility for clean-up. 

A letter from Secretary McCoy, responding to Mattingly’s June 28 letter, stated, “Please be assured that DOT is continuing to explore avenues by which this situation can be resolved. We will keep you informed of our progress.” 

On Aug. 30, DOT State Construction Engineer S. DeWitt sent a letter to the buyer of the barges notifying him the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers notified DOT they were in violation of the CAMA permit for the Trent River bridge project due to the continued existence of barges in the Trent River. DOT understood he and several others purchased the barges from T.A. Loving at auction, were the legal owners and encouraged him to contact Hunter and any prospective buyers to facilitate proper removal of the barges. 

 In Mattingly’s Sept. 1 letter to Governor Hunt, he related there was no action to date, the dedication for the bridge was only 17 days away and urged prompt action since the cranes would soon be moved to another site.

On Sept. 8, Secretary McCoy notified Marion Smith (NRF) that a letter from the Attorney General’s office was sent to Charles Carver (who signed the Bills of Sale for the tugboats) giving him 14 days to remove the vessels or face legal action. Carver’s attorney notified Mattingly, Carver disclaimed ownership. 

A Sun Journal article reported the Craven County attorney was drafting an ordinance prohibiting boat owners from littering county waterways with derelict boats.

Although the Sept. 17, 1999, dedication ceremony was postponed due to Hurricane’s Dennis and Floyd, the new Neuse River Bridge opened to traffic on Sept. 22. On Nov. 5, dedication ceremonies were held for the new Neuse River Bridge and the new Craven County air terminal.

Year 2000

In early March, Secretary McCoy sent Mattingly a packet with copies of all correspondence he received since his July meeting in New Bern including a letter to the citizen who reportedly bought the barges advising him he had 30 days to move the barges and a brief message: We are still addressing the issue.

On March 9, the Sun Journal reported the Neuse River Foundation (NRF) was close to filing a lawsuit in Federal District Court against the owners of the rusting barges abandoned in the Trent River and the NRF believed “it was T.A. Loving’s responsibility to get the floating scrap heaps out of the river.” The Foundation planned to file the lawsuit in 10 days after divers reported their findings and once the problem with the barges was resolved they would focus on the two tugs settled at the bottom of Scotts Creek. 

On March 13, DOT filed a Complaint for Declaratory Judgment against T.A. Loving Company in Craven County. DOT was still holding $250,000 in retainage and their legal staff was continuing to work toward a resolution of the removal of the construction barges. 

On March 25, the Sun Journal reported the remnants/equipment owned by Traylor Brothers still remained from bridge construction and included a photo of the staging area near the BridgePointe Hotel. Traylor Brother’s project manager stated all the equipment would be removed by July. County Manger Harold Blizzard was quoted that he was looking into the matter and would talk with the county attorney about a new strategy concerning the tug boats and barges in the river. 

On April 8, the Raleigh News & Observer reported on Edenton and New Bern’s efforts to remove derelict boats from the waters on the edge of both towns.

More meetings with the county manager, commissioners and T.A. Loving attorneys led to an attempt to come to an agreement to fund the cost of removing the barges and tugboats. 

On June 14, the Sun Journal reported that “an agreement had been reached only on raising the barges from the river bed, taking them to Barbour Boat Works and cutting them up for scrap. The project’s cost, $66,000 would be shared by NCDOT ($20,000), T.A. Loving ($30,000) and Craven County ($16,000).” 

On June 30, Representative Scott Thomas introduced a bill establishing procedures for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to bear the cost of removing vessels left unattended for more than 90 days and sue to recover that cost. The bill was passed by the Senate, signed by Governor James Hunt, and became effective July 1, 2000. 

More letters to county and state officials led to numerous meetings. 

The Oct. 6 Sun Journal reported, “Old tubs are being removed.” Jim Lewis, D.H. Griffin Wrecking Company, stated “prying them out of their resting places is a challenge; rigging is always the X-factor. Once the boats are free of the bottom, they’ll be raised, pumped out and floated to Barbour Boat Yard where they will be cut up and hauled to a steel recycling mill and will come back to life as something new made of steel.” 

On Oct. 30, work began to remove the tugs. At first, only one of the tugs could be dislodged from the mud. The larger of the two was raised and floated over to the Barbour Boat Works yard, cut up for scrap and trucked away. The work to raise the smaller tugs ceased until they could figure out the best way to raise it from the muck and mire. 

 

Year 2001

On July 20, after a 10 month delay, the McBlockwood was patched, pumped out, floated and towed by a barge and the contractor’s tug boat, the Huck Finn, to the former Barbour Boat Works yard and was cut up and removed as scrap metal. 

 

Mattingly’s perseverance

On his own as a private citizen concerned the tugs would continue to pollute our river, Mattingly contacted 27 officials with state and federal agencies and elected state and local officials, along with many others over a period of three years and five months. He pushed a lot of buttons, followed every lead, was met repeatedly with “can’t, won’t or not our responsibility,” but in the end his perseverance finally paid off.

Faced with overwhelming odds and unlimited obstacles, Jay Mattingly’s relentless perseverance of every avenue was ultimately the impetus for official remedial action and our community and our two rivers are all the better for it. 

 

Susan Moffat-Thomas is executive director of Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corporation.

Neuse River Bridge: A once-in-a-lifetime project

The Neuse River Bridge
Photo by Bill Hand/Sun Journal Staff

Since the mid-1970s, vision, achievable goals, partnerships, commitment, and hard work by the public and private sector were key to the downtown’s renaissance — and the state-of-the art Neuse River Bridge.

Opened to traffic in November 1999, the U.S. 17/N.C. 55 intricate system of roadway, ramps and bridges crossing the Trent and Neuse rivers was North Carolina’s largest single highway contract at that time. It is a project that was/is critical to the growth and economic development of Eastern North Carolina.

Historically, in Eastern North Carolina, ferry transportation was relied on as the cost of building bridges was financially burdensome. By the late 1800s, the inconvenience of ferries led to the county borrowing $35,000 to construct a Neuse River Bridge from New Bern to Bridgeton that opened in 1898.

In the 1940s, the ever increasing number of cars and trucks intensified N.C. 55/U.S. 17 traffic on the Neuse Boulevard/Broad Street corridor through downtown, led to the widening of Board Street and construction of a new Neuse River Bridge at the foot of Broad Street to Bridgeton in the early 1950s.

By the 1980s, it was a common sight to see cars lined up bumper to bumper on Broad and East Front streets as the swing span bridges over the two rivers opened to let boats through. Even though a boat could clear the span with the bridge rotating back in place in 10 minutes, it took 30-40 minutes for the traffic jam to clear. If the drawbridge opened at 5 in the afternoon, traffic backed up for miles. Major traffic problems were expected to intensify in the coming decade.

Its impact on the downtown revitalization effort led to Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corp.’s active involvement in pursuing the bridge’s replacement.

At the April 1988 Swiss Bear Board meeting, County Manager Tyler Harris reported both the Trent and Neuse River bridges were eligible for replacement and at a recent NCDOT presentation three options were being considered. The first, a New Bern Bypass, carrying traffic far outside New Bern; the second, construction of a high rise bridge to extend from Bridgeton to the vicinity of Hatteras Yachts. The last was the possible construction of a high-rise bridge from Sandy Point to James City and closure of the two existing drawbridges.

Harris said, prior to that meeting, representatives from the county, City Manager Bill Hartman and a 12-member committee met with NCDOT representatives to ensure any plans for improvements to existing and new roadways would be geared to improving local traffic as opposed to through traffic. The committee felt the last option for a new bridge system would best serve the needs of the community.

In discussion, downtown merchant, Lou Steinberg agreed improvements to our existing bridge and road system were necessary; however, the downtown merchants would miss earnings from traffic now forced through the downtown if the bypass option was selected. Jimmy Chagaris felt downtown would become more tourist-oriented in the future and sales would come from this new group of people. John Phillips said traffic congestion was already hurting downtown businesses and he favored plans that would improve traffic flow through New Bern.

Tyler Harris noted if the bridge replacement project received funding from the Federal Bridge Replacement Act, the two existing bridges would be removed. Bill Hartman said the bridge and road improvements were a necessary risk and offered the opportunity for developing park areas where the old bridges were, giving citizens and visitors additional access to the water.

During the same year, 2001 Craven County – Previewing the Future, a two-year strategic planning effort initiated by the Chamber of Commerce in 1987, determined a vital key to the future development of the county was the locations and timely construction of a new Neuse River Bridge and U.S. Highway Bypass. Those working on the 2001 Committee saw an opportunity for local citizens to have a significant impact on decisions concerning the two projects as important NCDOT hearings were scheduled and critical time would pass before such an opportunity arose again.

In 1989, at the Swiss Bear October Board meeting, Representative Gerald Anderson noted federal discretionary funds could be used for the bridge project and with the right people working on this bridge project, it could begin in three years with monies coming from the state and federal government.

Responding to the opportunity, the Craven County Transportation Committee, chaired by Troy Smith, was expanded to include Pamlico and Jones counties. Committee representatives included the Craven County Commissioner’s Chairmen and Vice Chairmen, Harold Talton, Roy Brison, Sr., Nolan Jones, Albert Toon; Mayors Tom Bayliss and George Griffin; County Managers, Harold Blizzard, Larry Meadows, Randy Beaman; City Manager, Bill Hartman and Havelock Clerk, Kathleen Townsend. Representatives Scott Thomas and William Wainwright, Sen. Beverly Perdue, NCDOT Division II Board, Bob Mattock; Joe Thomas, Lonnie Pridgen, Michael Avery, Dallas Blackiston, Don Baumgardner, Jim Davis, Billy Haire, Lauren Hillman. Division Engineer, Rick Shirley (replaced later by Neil Lassiter) and Susan Moffat Thomas, all representing and providing liaison with the governments of the smaller towns, chambers of commerce, civic groups and state legislators. A united front by all three counties was crucial to the effort.

Nancy Stallings, a former NCDOT Assistant Secretary, was hired as the Transportation Coordinator and operated out of the Swiss Bear office. Her challenge was to work with the Committee and NCDOT to build a bridge in an appropriate location and most challenging of all, bring everyone in the three counties together as it was politically important to have a strong unified show of support for a new bridge.

An immediate need was getting the Neuse River Replacement project listed in the N.C. Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). Congress’ passage of the Surface Transportation Act changed the method of funding bridges. Prior to that, Committee plans were to obtain funds for the new bridge from federal discretionary funds and now funding would be provided through the state with a funding amount placed at $70 million.

The primary concern was NCDOT spent its highway funding on projects contained in the TIP, a plan that was updated every year with highway improvement projects planned for the next seven years. Projects not listed in the plan would not be considered. The Transportation Committee also recognized the project could ultimately cost a $100 million so federal financial assistance was needed as the plan was to lobby for a project that would exceed the standard bridge replacement concept of bridge replacement and reasonable approaches only. The desired project would be a part of a bypass of New Bern and would exceed the funding allowed by Federal Bridge Replacement criteria.

In February 1992, a resolution requesting that NCDOT include the Neuse River Bridge Replacement Project was signed by all members of the Craven, Pamlico, and Jones Transportation Committee. Thomas Harrelson, Secretary, NCDOT, State Reps. Gerald Anderson and William Wainwright, Sen. Beverly Perdue, Congressmen Martin Lancaster and Walter B. Jones, Senator’s Terry Sanford and Jesse Helms were inundated with letters and a resolution from all counties, cities and organizations involved.

As a follow up, Nancy Stallings traveled to Washington and met with Congressman Walter B. Jones and Senator Terry Sanford seeking ways federal dollars could be secured for this project.

To be continued in two weeks.

Susan Moffat Thomas is executive director of Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corp.

Swiss Bear Executive Director Announces Retirement

Sun Journal - July 16, 2014

Susan Moffat Thomas, executive director of the Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corp., is retiring at the end of December.

Thomas, a key figure in the growth of downtown New Bern since joining Swiss Bear in 1985, turned in her resignation a week ago to her executive board of directors.

Swiss Bear, a nonprofit, was established in 1979 to spearhead and coordinate the revitalization of downtown New Bern and its waterfront. It is widely recognized throughout the state and nation for its award-winning program working in partnership with local government.

Thomas McGraw, chairman of Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corp., said he has worked with Thomas for more than seven years and remains amazed at her ability to develop ideas into projects, raise needed funds and see projects to completion.

“Susan has literally built what people remember about us as a city,” McGraw said. “She has substantially improved our economy, created jobs and brought in new businesses. People want to live in a dynamic, lively, robust area which is a special place, and Susan has been instrumental in creating that.”

Bob Mattocks, former Swiss Bear chairman, agreed.

“The community will not have to take many steps in downtown New Bern to view the accomplishments of her leadership,” Mattocks said. “My two years of working with her while I was chairman of the organization have been a highlight. In observing and working with her when I was a member of the N.C. Board of Transportation in the mid-1990s, I was pleased to dedicate a plaque in Council Bluff Green in her honor.”

Through Swiss Bear’s efforts and Thomas’ leadership, $320 million in private and public economic investment has been made in the greater downtown area with 252 new business openings since mid-1980.

When asked to name her favorite project, Thomas could not.

“It is like having children,” she said; “each one of them was special.”

But one thing Thomas said stands out has nothing to do with downtown New Bern.

Years ago, she initiated the improvements to the Richard Dobb Spaight grave site off Madam Moore’s Lane.

“As a history major, I was excited we had the grave site of one of the signers of the Constitution here,” she said

The grave site used to be on private property owned by Hughrena MacDonald and Thomas got permission from her to fix it up and acquired a $1,000 grant for a marker. She also got the county involved in the project by putting in a road and a bench. It later became part of Tryon Palace and the once neglected grave now attracts bus-loads of tourists, she said.

“I’ve always been proud of that,” Thomas said. “How many cities do you know that have grave sites of signers of the Constitution? It is really an attraction for the community. …I wish more people were aware of that site and what a historic figure we have buried right in New Bern.”

Under Thomas’ leadership, Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corp. has won numerous national and state awards from the International Downtown Association, North Carolina Downtown Development Association and the North Carolina Main Street Center. Under her leadership, Mumfest, a signature family fall festival celebrating 34 years, now attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually to the historic downtown and its waterfront.

Thomas has been recognized with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the most prestigious award presented by the governor of North Carolina to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state.

Other awards include the Gertrude S. Carraway Award of Merit from the Historic Preservation Foundation of North Carolina, N.C. Festival & Events Association Best Director of the Year, Special Recognition Award from the N.C. Board of Transportation, N.C. Main Street Champion Award and New Bern Rotarian of the Year Award.

Thomas has served on numerous local and state organizations throughout her career. She now serves on the boards of the N.C. Museum of History Associates, the New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce and the New Bern Historical Society.

“After 32 years (of working for nonprofits), it just seemed it was time to look at retirement,” Thomas said. “I plan to do a lot of things I haven’t been able to in the past: spend time with my husband, travel and probably do some volunteering, maybe write a book about the revitalization of the city.”

Thomas has plenty of material for a book after 29 years with Swiss Bear. She spent two years before that as executive director of the New Bern Preservation Foundation and worked as a membership administrator for the New Bern Chamber of Commerce before that, she said.

Thomas said she still has projects to finish before retiring, like the dedication of the Ship Hauling Machine at Lawson Creek Park in September, the annual Mumfest in October, and fund-raising efforts for a small park in the Duffyfield area.

“I’m particularly grateful to have had the opportunity all these years to work for an organization that has done so much to help this community,” Thomas said. “The role I’ve played with Swiss Bear has been extremely rewarding.”

Thomas said the decision by New Bern aldermen during budget deliberations in May to cut funding to Swiss Bear and all nonprofits did not affect her decision to retire.

“Funding has been a challenge all these years,” she said. “It’s nothing new. It’s just one more hurdle to jump over and we have jumped many hurdles over the years. We have always come up with solutions and I have no doubt that will be the case this time, too. Swiss Bear will continue to work as it has, an asset to the community, and I have no reason to think otherwise.”

Thomas said she realized while working for the Chamber of Commerce that she was “mission oriented.”

“Nonprofits seemed to suit me,” she said. “I’ve been passionate about what I’ve done and how it has made such a difference. I’m just lucky I found myself.”

Thomas said she appreciates all the support the community has extended to Swiss Bear, to her and all of the projects.

“You can walk around town and see people’s names on bricks who have contributed to the projects and enhanced the quality of life for everyone in the community,” Thomas said. “I hope everyone will continue to support other projects in this community.”

Originally from Michigan, Moffat Thomas received a Bachelor of Arts from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va. She is married to John Thomas and they have four adult children, David, Robert, Jennifer and Charlotte, and nine grandchildren.

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.

Choice Neighborhood

The April 4, 2014 letter to the editor “All hands in the pot”, suggests Swiss Bear should back away from the Choice Neighborhood Planning Initiative recently received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). To be successful, the $400,000 grant, designated for developing an action plan for the revitalization of the Greater Five Points area requires all hands/partners to be at the table, including Swiss Bear. Partnerships, achievable goals and objectives and long range plans…the formula that worked for the revitalization of downtown, is the same formula needed to affect positive change in the Greater Five Point area.

The challenges in the Greater Five Point area are great and require strong community partnerships. Building a thriving Greater Five Points area takes vision, opportunities, the community working together, and dogged perseverance. The Choice Neighborhood Initiative offers New Bern that opportunity, but only if we all work together to make it happen. What is inspiring is the fact New Bern is the smallest city of the nine chosen to participate in the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Choice Neighborhood Initiative, an indication that HUD is confident, we as a community have what it takes to be successful.

In the summer of 2013, Julian March, Executive Director of the New Bern Housing Authority asked Swiss Bear to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as a Principal Team Member which was included in the application for the HUD Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant.  Other MOU Principal Team Members are: Craven County government, Neuse River Community Development Corporation, Craven Community College and the Greater Duffyfield Residents Council.

The MOU identifies the roles and responsibilities of each entity as it relates the ultimate HUD Choice Neighborhoods implementation grant for the Greater Five Points area. This grant and the corresponding transformation plan identify the target area of Craven Terrace and Trent Court Public Housing properties and their surrounding neighborhood.

We all agreed, it is in our mutual interest and benefit for the goals to be accomplished and that we will work cooperatively in developing and executing a comprehensive transformation plan.

HUD recognizes significant planning and resources are necessary to complete the required transformation plan for this project. 

The initial phase of work focuses on a community planning process to develop a shared vision and a Transformation Plan that must be submitted to HUD in October 2015.

The second phase is the actual implementation of the Transformation Plan and if our planning effort meets the criteria and New Bern is selected as a recipient, $20-30 million of federal money will be made available for this initiative and take place in a series of phases over a multi year process.

In the 1970’s, our city was at a critical juncture. The deterioration of downtown and its waterfront threatened New Bern’s economic growth and development. Then, like today, community leaders and government officials recognized steps had to be taken to revitalize the Greater Five Points area.

Throughout the past 30 years, the city worked to improve the Five Point area by investing in construction of the new fire house, police station and acquisition of the First Citizens Bank for public utilities service. M ore recently, in partnership with NCDOT, major streetscape improvements to the Broad Street corridor. They  established the Five Points Revitalization Committee under the Planning Department with representatives from Swiss Bear, Craven Community College, Chamber of Commerce, the Uptown Business & Professional Association.

Swiss Bear, in partnership with the city, sponsored numerous initiatives to promote the revitalization of the Five Points area including the 1990 and 2000 Urban Design Plans, a Million Dollar Loan Pool and supported the establishment of the Uptown Business and Professional Associations’ small learning and business center.  Grant applications to establish a small incubator business center and business recruitment efforts were unsuccessful.

The well intended projects/efforts only brought modest change. The underutilized sites on Broad compromised the corridors’ image. The vacant Days Hotel, evidence of disinvestment, stigmatized the neighborhood. Additionally, Craven Terrace and Trent Court, obsolete public housing, though well-maintained, concentrate poverty which effects investment, residential and commercial.

With the current administration’s commitment to implementing the City’s Gateway Renaissance Plan, the Choice Neighborhood Initiative coupled with multiple community partnerships is the opportunity of a lifetime for New Bern. Our city’s proven track record with downtown’s revitalization effort, an effort based on community partnerships, has made New Bern a national example. Downtown is, once again, an economic engine driving growth and development in New Bern and Craven County.

The Choice Neighborhoods Initiative is an exciting economic development tool that we as a community need to take advantage of. This is the time for active participation, a time to put down differences, listen  to each other, actively address the real issues and develop a plan that will make it possible.

Susan Moffat Thomas. Executive Director

Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corp.

New Bern Academy, new parking lot parts of city history

The New Bern Academy was the first
school chartered in North Carolina

The New Bern Academy, located at the corner
of Johnson and Hancock streets is the oldest
public school building in North Carolina

The completed parking lot is at the corner of New and
Hancock streets adjacent to the Firemen's Museum.

The New Bern Academy, located at the corner of Johnson and Hancock streets, is the oldest public school building in North Carolina and one of the oldest in the United States. The construction of the city parking lot at the corner of New and Hancock streets, facilitated by Swiss Bear, played a major role in the opening of the New Bern Academy Museum to the public in December 1991 as a part of the Tryon Palace complex.

In 1764 the North Carolina legislature authorized the town of New Bern to build the New Bern Academy as a “school and residence for the school master.” The original building, destroyed by fire in 1795 led to the construction of the 1810 brick building. The success of the school led to the construction of a second building, New Bern Graded School or “Bell Building in 1884.

By 1899 the New Bern Academy became a part of the city school system and both buildings served as schools until 1971 when the New Bern school board decommissioned the buildings and they were no longer used as schools. Because of its rich past and impressive structure, the New Bern Academy Historical Commission was created by the legislature in 1975. The Commission was charged with preserving the school’s history and the original building.

Vacant and in need of restoration, dedicated volunteers raised grant funds and contributions and the building was renovated in the 1980’s. Recognizing it as another opportunity to relate the history of New Bern and Craven County, the Tryon Palace Commission knew adequate visitor parking was vital to its success.

In February 1987, recognizing the proposed use of the building would add to the mix of attractions and enhance tourism and the downtown revitalization effort, Swiss Bear chairman Harold Talton developed a strategy, embraced by the City and County, to acquire the New Bern Garment Company property at the corner of New and Hancock Street, owned by John Carver, that was for sale. The property could serve as a large City public parking lot for visitors to the New Bern Academy, the Firemen’s Museum and downtown shoppers and employees.

The Swiss Bear board authorized Harold to look into the feasibility of and to offer to purchase property near Simmons Street and Trent Boulevard, if zoning on that parcel of land permitted the operation of a garment factory. This property would be traded for the property at New and Hancock Street.

It was a complicated process. Zoning of that property was required prior to the purchase and an option on one parcel was necessary to secure the site. With the support of the County Commissioners and Board of Aldermen, in April 1987, Swiss Bear signed an option on the old Armstrong Wholesale Grocery building to purchase and trade the property to John Carver to relocate and house the New Bern Garment Company.

Swiss Bear wrote and acquired $75,000 in grant commitments from the Kellenberger Historical Foundation and Craven County Tourism Development Authority which covered 50 percent of the total cost of the project.

By May 1987, options on both properties were signed and on June 23, the Board of Aldermen approved Swiss Bear’s request to rezone the Armstrong parcel for use as a garment factory.

In early February 1988, closings on the two properties took place. In addition to the $75,000 in grant monies, Swiss Bear borrowed $75,000 to complete the transaction. The City agreed to pay monthly interest fees on the loan until it was able to purchase the property. In January 1990, Swiss Bear transferred the deed to the City and Swiss Bear was reimbursed for the $75,000 loan. The City then applied and received grant funds from the Kellenberger Historical Foundation to demolish the garment factory building and develop the parking lot.

In December 1990, the New Bern Academy Museum opened as a part of the Tryon Palace complex.

The Kellenberger Historical Foundation was created in 1978 by philanthropist May Gordon Latham Kellenberger, who served as chairman of the Tryon Palace Commission for twenty-seven years and contributed her time and assistance to a number of public endeavors. The purpose of the Foundation was to aid in the preservation of significant structures in New Bern and Craven County, including the Tryon Palace complex.

The Foundation was/is a valuable asset to this community and Tryon Palace. It played a major role in providing funding for major projects that made the revitalization of the downtown historic district possible.

Swiss Bear's rehabilitation role for a major anchor building

The Belk Building: Adult entertainment center? Not in our downtown!

The Belk Building in pre-rehabilitation days.

The O.Marks building at 233 Middle St.
is shown in 1988 after its rehabilitation
was complete.

The O. Marks building at 233 Middle St. was originally two separate buildings. The three story portion, adjacent to the First Baptist Church, was constructed in 1915-16 for Oscar Marks & Son to house their expanded dry goods and shoe sales operations.

Following his death in 1921, business declined and the firm closed its doors in 1927. The building remained vacant for four years until it was used as a Chrysler dealership. In 1937, Belk purchased the building and replaced the original storefront with large tin panels to “modernize” the façade and replaced the windows with glass brinks in the 1940s and 1950s.

The two story section on the south side was built in 1927 for the Coplon Investment Company and occupied by Montgomery Ward until 1964 when it was leased by Belk to expand its department store. The same large metal blocks were added to that façade to unite the two buildings into one, creating a major anchor building in the central business district.

In 1979, Belk joined in the exodus to the suburbs and relocated in the new Twin Rivers Mall. The large 57,000 square foot monolithic building added to the growing number of vacant deteriorating buildings and downtown’s decline.

At the June 1980 Swiss Bear Board meeting, finding a tenant became a priority when Ella Bengal, board member and alderwoman, stated she felt Swiss Bear should seek a tenant for the vacant Belk Building.

During that year, Swiss Bear monitored investor activity of those interested in leasing or buying the building and were spurred into action in February 1981 when the Board learned a company from Jacksonville planned to purchase the building for use as an adult entertainment center.

At the February 1981 Board meeting, Charles Blythe’s motion to pursue purchasing the building, passed unanimously. Jay Smith, Doug Davis, David Henderson, Dell Ipock, Dabney Coddington, Bill Edwards and Newsom Williams were authorized to secure a 90 day loan from NCNB and Jay Smith agreed to underwrite the loan interest.

To acquire the $20,000 option on the building, Swiss Bear raised $15,000 and the New Bern Preservation Foundation joined the effort contributing $5,000. With the support of four local banks, BB&T, NC National Bank, Wachovia and First Citizens Bank, Swiss Bear acquired the property. Belk donated their half of the building and Swiss Bear purchased the adjacent portion from the Coplon family at a bargain sale for $150,000. The banks allowed Swiss Bear to pay on the loan, interest only, until the building was sold.

A recruitment team developed guidelines that clearly defined the use of the building with restrictions preventing an undesirable use of the building. The metal façade would have to be removed from both buildings and the exterior rehabbed according to the specifications of a façade study. The selling price was $175,000.

In November of 1982 a Low Interest Loan Pool was formed with the City, Swiss Bear and the four banks for the purpose of allowing merchants to borrow money for building improvements at 71 percent of the prime interest rate. A federal law stating banks did not need to pay tax on interest gained from loans made in specified redevelopment areas (four core blocks bounded by Tryon Palace Drive, Craven, Hancock and Broad Streets) made it possible for banks to lend at a lower interest rate. Each bank contributed $500,000 and the City’s final approval was needed for all loans. The creation of this loan pool was the deciding factor in the eventual sale of the Belk building.

By December 1983, Swiss Bear had $131,000 invested in the building. Although it had been shown a number of times, no real interest was generated until Swiss Bear took a new approach working with the banks with a syndication method of financing. The banks also increased the line of credit for Swiss Bear so an architectural survey, a financial analysis, feasibility and other studies could be undertaken.

In 1984, five local businessmen, Lonnie Pridgen, Jr., Tom Karam, Gordon Parrot, Chick Askew and Joe Alcoke created the O. Marks Partnership and purchased the building for $200,000.

The original goal was to develop the building into a first-floor retail mall and offices on the upper floors.

The major $2.2 million extensive renovation restored most of the original exterior and interior. O. Marks Mall opened in 1986 with eight specialty retail shops and offices on the upper floors.

Although downtown was gradually beginning to turn around, the lack of pedestrian traffic needed to support the shops led to all but one closing within several years. Recruiting businesses to lease the empty spaces was very challenging, however community support for the project led to leases with the New Bern Chamber of Commerce, Neuse River Council of Governments, Swiss Bear, Weyerhaeuser and other local businesses that relocated into the building.

When the U.S. Postal Service made the decision to move out of the Federal Building (corner of Middle and New Street) to their new facility on Glenburnie Road, the downtown business owners lobbied for a downtown post office branch which was opened in the O. Marks Building. Currently the mix of businesses on the first floor includes several retail shops, a sandwich shop, offices, the post office and offices on the upper floors with 94% occupancy.

The rehabilitation of this building by the O. Marks Partnership, who faced financial challenges for many years, was key to moving the revitalization effort forward. This significant structure, a downtown anchor building, is an example of how critical private investment was to downtown’s recovery.

We commend the men who formed the O. Marks Partnership for their commitment to this key project and downtown’s recovery.