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Urban greenway may replace rail bed

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A greenway connection utilizing the rail bed stretching from North Third Street to McRae Street could be coming soon to downtown Wilmington.

Wilmington City Council approved the concept of using the long abandoned rail bed for a public greenway and trail during its Tuesday, Dec. 2, meeting.

Mike Kozlosky, Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization executive director, said the reestablishment of the rail bed as a functioning passenger railway is several years away. The greenway and trail could be developed in the interim to provide bicycle and pedestrian access between the two areas with an intention to retain the trial when rail service is reestablished in the future.

Council’s approval of the concept was the first step in securing funding for the project and planning.

While the North Carolina Department of Transportation owns the land, Kozlosky said maintenance of any landscaping improvements and trails would likely be the responsibility of the city.

Another partnership between the city and NCDOT is the installation of mast arm signal poles at the intersection of 17th and Market streets was also approved at city council’s meeting.

The city approved $250,000 in funding to accompany $200,000 from NCDOT for the project. In addition to the mast signal arms, the project will include curb extensions, traffic calming devices, pedestrian improvements, resurfacing and landscaping along 17th Street.

The motion passed 5-2 on the first reading with councilmen Kevin O’Grady and Neil Anderson voting against the ordinance.

After a couple of rounds of voting, an easement was granted to a private developer for the construction of a walkway between the Second Street parking deck and the new multiuse development under construction on Third Street across from City Hall.

Along with granting the easement, the city planned to charge a one-time fee of $5,233 for the valuation of the easement.Councilman Anderson objected to the charge.

“We talk about attracting businesses and rolling out the red carpet for them but I feel like this is a case where we are nickel and diming them,” Anderson said. “This is a $40 million development.”

Councilman Charlie Rivenbark agreed with Anderson, saying council should consider the increased tax base the development will bring.

Mayor Pro Tem Margaret Haynes and councilmen O’Grady, Laura Padgett and Dr. Earl Sheridan disagreed.

“We certainly want to be business friendly but I think this is a minimal amount of money to pay,” Haynes said. “I think it would set a bad precedent to give the easement away.”

Anderson’s substitute resolution failed 4-3 with Haynes, O’Grady, Sheridan and Padgett voting against. The original resolution passed 5-2 with Anderson and Rivenbark dissenting.

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