CAMA Land Use Plan Update-1986

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CITY COUNCIL
Berry Williams, Mayor
Donald Betz, Mayor Pro-Tem
Irving Fogler
Katherine Hoyt
Luther Jordan
Tony Pate
Robert D. Shipp
William B. Farris, City Manager
WILMINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION
Daniel D. Retchin, Chairman
Larry Sneeden, Vice -Chairman
James C. Barker
Gloria Berger
Les Edwards
Dorothy Forbes
Oscar Graham
Arcelia Wicker, Sr., Director of Planning & Development
PROJECT PLANNING STAFF
Georgia W. Smallman
Glenn Harbeck
Scott Shuford
Charles A. Lilley
Johnnie Southerland
David Weaver, County Liason
COVER DESIGN & MAPS
Octavia Micuda
SECRETARIAL
Teresa Elmore
The preparation of this report was financed in part through a
grant provided by the North Carolina Coastal Management Program,
through funds provided by the Coastal Resources Management Act of
1972, as amended, which is administered by the Office of Coastal
Resource Management, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.

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COMMUNITY FACILITY STUDY
CITY OF WILMINGTON AND NEW HANOVER COUNTY , N.C.
AUGUST, 1985
LlRevised
July 1986

COMMUNITY FACILITIES STUDY
City of Wilmington and New Hanover County
CONTENTS
1. Introduction and Purpose
2. Survey of Facilities
2.1 Fire and Emergency Protective Services
2.2 Law Enforcement
2.3 Sanitary Sewerage System
2.4 Stormwater Drainage Systems
2.5 Water Systems
2.6 Solid Waste Management
2.7 Streets and Roads
2.8 Street Lighting
2.9 School System and Educational Institutions
2.10 Transportation
2.11 Health Services
2.12 Social Services and Housing
2.13 Parks and Recreation
2.14 Cultural Institutions
2.15 Administration and Judiciary
3 Index of Facilities

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INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this Community Facilities Study is to give a
brief description of the key facilities and services available in
the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County. Emphasis is
a placed on types of service, service area, existing and proposed
facilities available, labor involved, inventory of capital
equipment, and recent changes within each facility. Facilities
n include City and County operations,. and, in some instances, State
,U► facilities. An overall assessment of these facilities and their
function will be helpful to community officials, planners and
citizens in the period of rapid growth and change which is
ri underway in the local area.
(� Research Methods
(� Each particular department or agency program was contacted
regarding each facility. Data was gathered through interviews
with officials responsible for operation of that particular
facility, reports and brochures prepared by the department or
agency, maps of appropriate locations and operations, and, in
a some instances, news accounts of that department or agency's
operation.
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FIRE AND EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE
0 SERVICES

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FIRE AND EMERGENCY PROTECTION
CITY OF WILMINGTON
The Wilmington Fire Department, except for a mutual aid
.agreement with area volunteerfire departments, limits its fire
protection service to those areas within the City's corporate
limits. The Department has established a response -time standard
of four minutes after the initial request -for -aid. To accomplish
this goal, the Department maintains six fire stations
strategically dispersed throughout the City. These stations are
described below.
There have been recent changes to the Fire Department's
existing facilities. An older station on Willard Street closed in
July 1985, after a new one on Carolina Beach Road was opened. The
new station will serve the recently -annexed Pine Valley and South
Wilmington sections. A second new station, located on Pine Grove
Drive adjacent to the Municipal Golf Course, was also opened in
July, 1985, to serve the Winter Park section, another recently -
annexed area.
For fire insurance purposes, the Department holds a 112"
rating. When ranked on a 1(best) to 10(worst) rating scale
according to accepted State standards, the Department's
sufficiency of equipment and trained personnel rates well.
Currently, the Wilmington Fire Department has a personnel
roster of 131 employees, of which seven are civilians and the
rest are trained professional firemen. Three divisions function
within the Department: Suppression, Fire Prevention, and Support
Services. Suppression Division staff are principally assigned to
eleven companies, according to the types of equipment which they
operate:
7 Pumper Companies
2 Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Companies
2 Ladder Companies*
(* EMS personnel are assigned to one of the ladder companies)
Equipment and staff assignments for each fire station
are as follows:
Fire Station
Carolina Beach Road
Wellington Avenue
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EXISTING FACILITIES
Established
1985
Equipment
Pumper
Brush Truck
1974 Pumper
PU Foam Truck
Brush Truck
Tanker
Staff
12
12

Fire Stations
Empie Park
Established
Headquarters
(4th & Dock Streets)
Princess Place Drive
Wallace Avenue
1965
1955
Equipment Staff
Pumper 24
Aerial Truck
Rescue Ambulance
3 Pumpers 41
Aerial Truck
2 Brush Trucks
Rescue Amulance
Fire Boat
Rescue Boat
1972 Pumper 12
Brush Truck
Jeep
Light Plant
1985 Pumper 12
Brush Truck
Tanker
NEW HANOVER COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Fire protection service in unincorporated areas of New
Hanover County is presently provided by eight County volunteer
fire departments. These volunteer fire departments are manned by
trained volunteer personnel, with funding for equipment coming
from cash contributions from the County, fund-raising efforts,
and private contributions.
All of the volunteer fire departments have identical fire
insurance ratings of "9" as compared to the "2" rating for the
City of Wilmington. The volunteer fire departments are
continually attempting to upgrade their rating through better
training and equipment. One example of these efforts is a
present emphasis on developing a "quick dump system" which allows
for rapid filling and unfilling (1,OOO gallons/minute) of tank
trucks.
The County presently is examining the feasibility of
creating a Fire Service District. This District, more fully
described in a May 29,1985 County Planning Department report,
would create a separate property tax to be used solely to support
fire protection services in the unincorporated areas of the
County. This taxing authority would likely improve the fire
insurance ratings by providing_ greater financial stability which
would lead to the purchase of new equipment.
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Listed below
is a description of
personnel and
equipment for
u
the volunteer fire
departments:
(}
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
VOLUNTEER
FIRE DEPARTMENT FACILITIES
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Name Personnel Pumpers
Tankers Other
Vehicles
aCastle
Hayne*
24
3
--
1
Federal Point**
30
2
1
2
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Myrtle Grove*
28
2
2
3
(�
Ogden**
28
3
2
3
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Seagate*
23
3
1
2
South Wilmington*
18
2
2
2
Winter Park**
29
4
1
1
Wrightsboro*
28
3
2
4
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Total
208
22
11
18
** 1984 data

NEW HANOVER COUNTY RESCUE SQUADS
New Hanover County is presently divided into three rescue
squad districts, supervised and supported by the new (created
February, 1986) Department of Emergency Services. Since the
personnel in these rescue squads respond to all types of medical
emergencies, they are trained and equipped for life support and
trauma care. Presently the rescue squads are staffed by
volunteers and are financially dependent on private contributions
and fund-raising efforts. However, rescue squads will, under a
recently -adopted plan, become a part of County government. It is
anticipated that 80% of all rescue squad personnel will become
County employees by August, 1986.
EXISTING FACILITIES
Catgry I-Emer. Crash/Rescue 4WD Utility
Name Ambulances Vehicles Vehicles Boats
Ogden/New Hanover Rescue 8 2 2 4
Pleasure Island Rescue 2--
Wilmington Fire Rescue 3 -- -- 1
Additional Equipment: Ogden/New Hanover Rescue has 2 portable
and 2 fixed facility (25KW) generators. Wilmington Fire Rescue
Squad has multiple facilities and related equipment available.
New Hanover County also has 2 reserve ambulances..
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a Wilmington -New Hanover County
Community Faoillf ies Study -
LOCATION
PUBLIC FACILITIES
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CCUNTy
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CITY FIRE STATIONS
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Ol Carolina Beach Road 1 C ''ram \.'t- _ ' II v �-% _ / M
0 Wellington Avenue ` _`��
3 Empie Park LAW ENFORCEMENT FACILITIES �.\ I ID
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® Headquarters Q1 Law Enforcement Center
a (Fourth & Dock Streets) �Z�. �� { ^� �• �-
© Jail Annex Facility
O5 Princess Place Drive DWI Detention Center _ L'w•�'% `�"�. l
•© RESCUE SQUADS
© Wallace Avenue - -•-��. ,
® Wilmington Police Department 0 Ogden -New Hanover Rescue = = �t ��� ' t / +•s.
Wilmington Neighborhood Offices:
❑2 Pleasure Island Rescue _ ''1 s;. tea, � �•
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS v�•.f;'' ^• Jervay 3Q Wilmington Fire Rescue s ��
7 ne o Castle Ha ' y ® Creekwood °'"�• �)� - �
® Federal Point /%�
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Taylor Homes �. •`� r'-
O9 Myrtle Grove ® Community Arts Center
10 Ogden �a '
LJ Wilmington Firearms Training Center
I1 Seagate C
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12 South Wilmington C
13 Winter Park .._> I `� scxs 114WUS
7
14 Wrightsboro .
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LAW ENFORCEMENT

LAW ENFORCEMENT
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CITY OF WILMINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
In 1961, the Wilmington Police Department (WPD) moved from
City Hall into the former Atlantic Coast Line Railroad office
(� Building at 115 Red Cross Street. The WPD utilizes the basement
L; and first two floors; the third floor is used by several other
non-profit agencies. In addition, the WPD operates several other
offices or facilities:
1. Neighborhood offices:
a. Jervay, Creekwood, and Taylor Homes public
housing complexes;
b. Community Arts Center.
2. Firearms Training Center - at the Southside Sewage
Treatment Plant
For patrol purposes, the City is divided into seven patrol
Q districts, each of which is staffed with patrol officer(s).
Staffing levels vary according to the time of day or the day of
week, or with manpower availability. In addition, officers are
assigned to specialized foot patrol beats in Jervay, Creekwood,
aTaylor Homes, and the Downtown Business areas.
Officers are also used for crime prevention, criminal
investigations, property and evidence control, crime.scene
processing and vice/narcotics investigations.
Performance for the WPD is measured by fluctuations in
reported serious crime (Index Crimes), and by percentage of the
crimes that are cleared (solved, unfounded, etc.). In 1985 the
WPD clearance rate was 28% compared with the national average of
21%. The WPD responded to 59,000 calls for service, investigated
5,000.serious crimes and 3,350 traffic accidents, and made almost
9,400 arrests for various crimes and traffic violations.
Equipment and Personnel:
Marked and unmarked patrol cars total 45. In addition the
WPD has two passenger vans, a van equiped for processing crime
scenes, a bomb disposal trailer, a 22-foot police patrol boat, a
4-wheel-drive vehicle, a 3-wheel cycle, four 2-wheel motorcycles
and three bicycles, all to be used for special police operations.
Each officer on duty carries a portable 2-way radio, along with
the standard duty equipment carried by a police officer. .
A force of 117 sworn officers (all grades) are assisted by
32 permanent civilian personnel and 30 temporary or part-time
personnel. The Department also includes a canine patrol, with
(� three dogs and their two handlers. The dogs are kenneled by the
(� handlers at their residences, and are usually transported in the
Department's 4-wheel-drive vehicle.
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0 NEW HANOVER COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
The New Hanover County. Sheriff's Department is housed in the
Law Enforcement Center located on Fourth Street between Market
and Princess Streets. At this location is the County -wide
Emergency Communication Center, whose primary function is to
(� answer all incoming emergency calls and to dispatch appropriate
l� emergency vehicles. The 911 Emergency Center dispatches for 16
agencies, and transfers calls to 12 agencies. In 1984, the
Sheriff's Department answered 76,675 such calls. Eighty-eight
percent (88%) of these were related to law enforcement.
The County Jail is also located in the Law Enforcement
Center and is operated by the Sheriffs Department. With a
capacity for 120 prisoners, it houses all subjects arrested by
local law enforcement agencies in the County, plus Federal
prisoners. Currently, a building on Division Drive is being
renovated to serve as a Jail Annex Facility, and will house
additional inmates.
A special Detention Center for those convicted of Driving
While Impaired offenses has been recently set up in the building
on Division Drive which was formerly occupied by the New Hanover
County Extension Service. It has been completely remodeled for
its new use, with a capacity of 80 prisoners who need few
security arrangements. A staff of 8 will serve this facility.
Law Enforcement in Unincorporated Areas
Main concerns of the Sheriff's Department are the
suppression of crime, the apprehension of criminals, and the
(� recovery of stolen property in the unincorporated areas of the
u County. In addition to these duties, the Department operates the
jail as well as the courtrooms, and serves all civil process
within the County. It is the principal law enforcement agency
having County -wide jurisdiction within New Hanover County.
For law enforcement purposes, the County is divided into 12
sectors. Sheriff's Deputies cover these sectors in both marked
{� and unmarked cars.
lJ In 1985 Part 1 crimes (the eight most serious crimes as
defined by the Uniform Crime Report) in unincorporated areas of
(� New Hanover County were down 17% from 1984. Part 1 arrests were
up 76%, and the clearance rate for crimes committed in 1985 was
over 51%
U Vehicles and Equipment
Currently the Sheriff's Department operates 52 marked and
unmarked vehicles. In addition, it operates a 19-foot outboard
rescue boat, a tactical squad van, a crime scene van, a 4-wheel-
drive all -terrain cycle, and a 1/4-ton 4-wheel-drive vehicle.
Each deputy is equipped with a portable radio as well as a mobile
radio installed in each vehiicle.
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Personnel
The Sheriff's Department has a total of 143 sworn and
civilian support personnel. These include a two -man bomb squad,
a canine unit, and a special tactical squad that is trained to
respond to special and unusual conditions.
0 NEW HANOVER COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER
Located at 220 Division Drive, this headquarters for the
New Hanover County Health Department Animal Control Officer
houses stray and injured animals, and those which have been taken
into custody for biting or suspicion of rabies. The center has
65 dog runs, 32 cat pens, and two covered pens for animals
difficult to control.
The Animal Control Officer must enforce a County -wide
Control Ordinance which requires that dogs be restrained, penned,
or otherwise under the owner's control at all times. Strays are
picked up and brought to this Center. Those which are still
unclaimed after remaining in the Center for five working days are
generally destroyed or put up for adoption. When animals have to
be destroyed, a carbon monoxide chamber is used.
The officer also enforces State laws which seek to control
the spread of rabies. By law, rabies control clinics must be
held for four weeks.each year in order to provide an opportunity
(� for owners of dogs and cats to obtain the required annual
vaccination for their pets.
The Animal Control staff operate one horse trailer and five
pick-up trucks with specially constructed animal confinement
o boxes in the rear. Their efforts are not restricted to dogs and
cats; almost any type of domesticated animal has been handled by
the staff at some time or other. One officer is always on call
to pick up injured animals.
Except for Wrightsville Beach, which has its own Animal
Control Officer and its own animal shelter, the New Hanover
Animal Control Division functions in all areas of the County.
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SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM
CITY OF WILMINGTON
The municipal sanitary sewerage collection system consists
of 35 lift stations and more than 250 miles of pipe. These carry
the wastewater flow to either the Loughlin (Northside) Wastewater
Treatment Plant on Smith Creek, or the M'Kean Maffitt (Southside)
Wastewater Treatment Plant on the Gape Fear River. At both of
these facilities, the wastewater receives secondary treatment
before it is discharged into the receiving water body.
The City is divided into four major sewer drainage
basins. These drainage basins are listed below, in descending
order of size:
1. Burnt Mill Creek Basin
2. Greenfield Lake Basin
3. Smith Creek Basin
4. McCumber Ditch Basin
Within each drainage basin, wastewater is piped by gravity
(except where assisted by a lift station) towards the large mains
which conduct each basin'e effluent to a treatment plant.
Except for recently -annexed areas, ninety-eight percent
(98%) of the City..is served by sewer lines. These recently -
annexed areas (South Wilmington, Pine Valley and Winter Park)
will be sewered by the end of 1987. The City's wastewater
collector lines range in size from six inches to thirty-six
inches. Most of the pipes are vitrified clay, but some are
concrete and others are ductile iron. Plastic lines and truss
pipe lines have been used on an experimental basis in outlying
areas beyond the trunk lines.
Northeast Interceptor Line
Constructed in 1983, the Northeast. Interceptor line permits
the Town of Wrightsville Beach and other portions of the County
to pump sewerage to the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Two lift stations serve this line.
Status of Sewerage Treatment Plants
The Southside Plant is already operating close to its
hydraulic capacity of 6 million gallons per day (MGD), and is
approaching its organic load capacity of 4.5 MGD during
summertime average flow. A project is underway to upgrade this
facility to 12 MGD; construction is scheduled to begin in 1986,
and is projected for completion in the Fall of 1987. The
hydraulic capacity of the Northside Plant is 8 MGD. Average
daily flow through this facility is presently approaching its
organic load capacity of 6.5 MGD. There are no current plans to
r� upgrade this facility.
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User Fees
n The current sewer fee schedule charges City residents $1.50
per 100 cubic feet of wastewater generated. Users outside the
City generally pay double this rate. However, those served by
Wrightsville Beach and County systems pay charges set by these
�i respective governments.
Extension Policy
Current City policy for extending sewer lines is expressed
by Article IV, Section 12-176 of the WILMINGTON CITY CODE, "Water
and Sewer Extensions." Essentially, the owner or developer must
pay for extension of sewer lines into developing areas..
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
New Hanover County is beginning the development of a
(� sanitary sewerage system which will eventually be County -wide.
u Unserved areas in the County will be gradually added to the
system as lines are constructed during a ten year period,
beginning in 1986. Highest priority for County sewer service is
assigned to development concentrated along the sounds, those
areas which are growing most rapidly, and where water pollution
from malfunctioning septic systems can be reduced. It is
anticipated that numerous shellfish beds which are presently
closed can be opened several years after the sewer system begins
functioning.
Cost of the various components, listed below, will be funded
by a combination of general obligation bonds, Farmers' Home
Administration bonds and grants, Federal Revenue Sharing,
receipts from a local one -half -cent sales tax, as well as service
and connection fees. A County Water and Sewer District has been
formed to finance and manage this effort.
QComponent Cost
Wastewater Treatment Plant $ 6,100,000
Area I Sewer Collection System 17,262,387
Sewer Collection Lines and Treatment
Facilities, City of Wilmington 5,463,650
Area II Sewer Collection System 80,107,963
Areas III, IV and V Sewer Collection Seystems 32,405,000
Total $69,339,000
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Wilmington -New Hanover County
Community Facilities Study o �r
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LOCATION OF MAJOR SANITARY SEWER FACILITIES
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PRIVATElpok
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Ol Walnut Hills (Associated Utility)
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2 Pine Valle (Cape Fear UtiIit
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O3 i-lillbrook (Cape Fear Utility' _ rQ
WILi'IINGTON 1 ' {
Q Wrightsville Village i�HP COUNTY/TOWNS
Q North Chase
© The Cape ❑ 1 Flaffitt Treatment ®l•:rightsville Ave. P.S. _''I,r'•'� ,,,f �� �� .!
Q7 Ocean Forest Lakes Plant (Southside) 8 Bradley Creek 24" Main s '''s ^ �'�-• ��, _%/
02 Louohlin Treatment Wrightsville Beach P.S. -
® Wilmington Corporation © ma's
Plan (Northside)
Q Smith Creek Estates Carolina Beach Tr. P1.
®
Hermitage House Rest Home 0 Pump Sts Creek ® Kure Beach.Tr. P1. 9 Pump Station, NEI - - = '•�;
© Takeda Chemical Products ® Bradley Creek
® General Electric Pump Station
® Monterey Heights 5(] Dawson Street
i Fump Station
Royal Palms PiHP © morton Pump Station C �:
® National Guard
SCAU u, w Fs
® Cape Industries _ �� L -
Diamond Shamrock '..
® CP&L Sutton Plant
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New & Under Construction
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Wilmington -New Hanover County
Community Facilities Stud
- Y Y
PHASE AREAS FOR SEWER CONSTRUCTION
MOFFITT F
FOR . NEW HANOVER COUNTY SOUTHSIDE
j TREATMENT PLANT
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COUNTY O ..
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PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION PHASES
PHASE
1985 to mid 87 1 -
mid 1987 to mid 89 -
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mid 1989 to mid 91
3
®
1991 to mid 93
4
1992 to mid 94
5
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NOTE: Boundaries of
the phase
{�
areas are subject to
change.
SCALE IN MILES

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STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM
CITY OF WILMINGTON
The municipal storm drainage system is maintained entirely
separate from the sanitary sewer system. Within each drainage
basin, underground collector lines and open surface ditches carry
stormwater flowing downgrade toward natural water courses and
estuaries. These stormwater drainage basins are:
1. Burnt Mill Creek Basin
2. Greenfield Lake Basin
3. Smith Creek Basin
4. Cape Fear River Basin
5. Bradley Creek Basin
6. Hewlett's Creek Basin
7. Barnard's Creek Basin
Stormwater runoff from the Greenfield Lake Basin Area flows
directly into Greenfield Lake, eventually reaching the Cape Fear
River via Greenfield Creek. In addition to these drainage
basins, which eventually discharge into the Cape Fear River, a
small sector of the city, to the east and southeast, drains
directly into the River.
West of' 17th Street, in the older part of the -City, nearly
all of the stormwater drains into underground.storm sewers.
However, an open ditch, McCumber Ditch, carries a principal flow
for a short distance along 13th Street. Another open
watercourse flows through Oakdale Cemetery. Parallel storm
sewers in service under 13th Street between Marstellar Street and
Rankin Street also empty into an open ditch.
East of 17th Street, the storm drainage system depends on a
system of open ditches and canals. Burnt Mill Creek, for
example, serves as a major conduit for storm water. Within its
drainage basin there exist two poorly drained areas which perform
major stormwater retention functions. The larger of these is
located between Burnt Mill Creek, and Wolcott, Wrightsville and
Gibbons Avenues, covering more than a dozen blocks. The other
one is located in the vicinity of the western end of Colwell
Avenue, centering around Queen, Wooster, 18th and 19th Streets.
North of Market Street surface runoff flows toward Smith
Creek. South of Market Street drainage flows either toward the
Burnt Mill Creek or Greenfield Lake Basins.
Drainage in Recently Annexed Areas
Although they are in poor condition, some storm sewer mains
can be found in the newly annexed areas Most surface runoff
drains into open roadside ditches, which then flow into natural
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minor watercourses. Within the areas annexed in 1984 and 1985,
runoff generally flows into the Bradley, Hewlett and Barnard's
Creek Basins.
Plans for Drainage Improvements
The drainage improvement bond issue, approved in 1985, will
address six major drainage problems in the City. They are as
follows:
Item
Watson's Branch
Pine Valley
Downey Branch
Southern Boulevard
Virginia Avenue
Wrightsville -Essex
Cost Construction Date
$441,000
1985
$1,575,000
1986
$1,943,000
1986
$1,181,000
1988
$1,031,000
1987
$1,425,000
1989
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
New Hanover County utilizes roadside drainage ditches
emptying into natural water courses to accomodate its stormwater
runoff. The County has recently instituted Conservation Zoning
Districts, which will limit development in wetland areas.
Wetlands serve as the receiving bodies for substantial amounts of
runoff. This approach will protect the public from flood hazards
while simultaneously preserving the County's important wetland
natural resources.
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WATER SYSTEMS
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WATER SYSTEM
CITY OF WILMINGTON
The City of Wilmington owns and operates its water system.
It is the only water system in the County which utilizes surface
water as the source of supply. Raw water is pumped from the Cape
Fear River at King's Bluff, about 23 ;Hiles northwest of the City.
The pumping station is situated above Lock #1 and is, therefore,
free from possible salt water contamination from the lower
reaches of the river estuary.
Raw water is pumped from King's Bluff Station to the Sweeney
Filtration Plant through 21 miles of single 30-inch reinforced
concrete pipe, and then through two parallel 24-inch, cement -
lined, cast iron pipes.
Treatment and Pumping Capacity
The current pumping capacity at King's Bluff Station and at
the filtration plant is 15 million gallons per day (MGD). At the
plant, after flocculation, the water is filtered through sand
reds. Chlorine, phosphate, and fluoride is added to the water
before it is pumped back into the distribution system. Treated
water is stored in three separate underground reservoirs having
one million, four million, and twelve million -gallon capacities,
respectively.
Peak Demand
Most recent estimates indicate a current peak demand of
13.5 MGD. While year-round average consumption is 8.4 MGD,
during summer months average consumption increases to 8.7 MGD.
Average per capita daily consumption currently is estimated at
about 135 gallons per day (GPD). Thus, the present capacity of
the system can adequately serve a population of about 65,000
people. (Wilmington's present water service population exceeds
53,000.)
Water Pressure
Water pressure in the distribution system varies from 55 to
65 pounds per square inch (psi) The three elevated tanks which
maintain this water pressure throughout the system are described
below:
Elevated Tank Capacity (gal.)
1. 17th and Grace Streets 500,000
2. 17th Street and Shipyard Boulevard 1,500,000
3. 9th and Dawson Streets 1,-500,000
2.5 - 1

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Additional Elevated Tanks
The North Carolina Ports Authority, located at the
southwestern edge of the City, University of North Carolina -
Wilmington, and the DePortere Fabric Mill (presently closed),
just beyond the northwestern City Limits, each have elevated
tanks of limited capacity for their own private use.
Future Additions to the System
Residents of Annexation Area A (Pine Valley and South
Wilmington) will be connected to the municipal water system by
the end of 1986.. Annexation Area B (Winter Park) residents will
be connected by 1989. City policy for extending water service to
new development is contained in Article IV, Section 12-176,
"Water and Sewer Extensions," of the WILMINGTON CITY CODE. This
policy requires that the developer or owner assume the cost for
any system extension necessary to serve a particular development
proposal.
In the past year, the City contracted with a consulting
engineering firm which specializes in the evaluation of water
distribution systems. A report is nearing completion which will
make recommendations for distribution system improvements. The
report will also evaluate service requirements of newly
developing areas on the outskirts of the City.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
Presently, the only water system operated by New Hanover
County is the Flemington Water System. This system serves
approximately 40 residents and several industries, including W.R.
Grace Company, the County Steam Plant, South Atlantic Services,
and Gangnails. Located in the western part of the County between
the Cape Fear and Northeast.Cape Fear Rivers, the system was
developed after the groundwater was polluted by an old landfill
operation. The system consists of two wells capable of pumping
approximately 280,000 gallons per day. The system also has
approximately 100,000 gallons of storage capacity and 4 to 5
miles of water supply lines.
Residents of the other areas of the unincorporated County
are presently dependent on groundwater for water supply, either
through individual wells or through privately operated community
well systems. It is not likely that the New Hanover.County will
develop a County -wide water system within the forseeable future.
A previous bond referendum for such a system failed in 1979. It
has been proposed, however, that groundwater wells be located in
the east central part of the County if a County -wide system was
developed. An alternative would be to tie in with the existing
Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority, recently put into
operation by Brunswick County.
2.5 - 2

L SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
CITY OF WILMINGTON
Collection and disposal of refuse within the City are
handled entirely by the Sanitation Division of the Public Works
Department. Private collection within the City is available only
through bulk type commercial service.
Residential wastes are collected twice weekly. However,
commercial and industrial establishments may be served as
frequently as four times per week, depending upon the volume and
composition of the refuse.
Most of the refuse is taken to the New Hanover County
incinerator -cogeneration steam plant on N.C.Highway 421 North.
After the incinerator reduces its bulk, the ash and the
unburnable debris is taken to the County's sanitary plastic -lined
landfill located on N.C.Highway 421, approximately four miles
north of the City. (These facilities are described in greater
detail on page 2.6- 2.)
Equipment and Personnel
Equipment and field workers of the Sanitation Division are
deployed from the City maintenance complex at loth and Fanning
Streets. A force of 45 operates the following equipment for
refuse collection:
Quantity
T.ype of Vehicle
Size
7
Packers (hydraulic)
25 cu.yd.
6
Packers (hydraulic)
20 cu.yd.
3
Scow bodies (special)
12 cu.yd.
2
Scow bodies
6 cu.yd.
3
Rear Loader Container Trucks
1
Carrion Truck
3/4 ton
3
Pickup Trucks
1/2 ton
The rear loader container trucks service all City -owned
containers and approximately 115 private accounts throughout the
City.
Roll -Out Container Experiment
Wilmington is currently experimenting with a roll -out
container system. Starting on July 1, 1985, one 90-gallon roll-
out container was provided to each dwelling unit in four City
neighborhoods. These containers are emptied twice each week.
The City began an ongoing evaluation of the experiment in the
Fall of 1985, to see whether private contractors, utilizing
uniform, easily -emptied containers, can better handle refuse
collection. Final results of the evaluation are expected to be
available after the experimental year ends on June 30, 1986.
2.6 - 1

1
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
In 1981 New Hanover County constructed a safe landfill,
and in 1984, the County completed an incinerator -cogeneration
steam plant. These should provide sufficient capacity to handle
the County's future solid wastes demand in an economical, non-
D polluting manner.
Solid waste is burned around the clock in the incinerator at
a rate of 200 tons per day, seven days per week. This operation
r, is expected to reduce the volume of the County's solid wastes by
at least 85%. The two modular waterwall combustion units are
capable of producing 26,144 pounds of steam per hour. This steam
is used for two different purposes:
a1. A back pressure turbine and a condensing turbine
produces 4,078 kilowatts of electricity which is
asold to Carolina Power and Light Company.
2. Steam is produced at the rate of 18,000 pounds per hour
at 425 degrees Fahrenheit, 260 psi, and sold to
U W.R.Grace Company.
With the sale of the two by-products, this facility is
a expected to pay for itself within five years.
The remains of the waste (glass, metal, ash) must be hauled
to the landfill. The County's new landfill is designed to
eliminate groundwater pollution that could be caused by leaching.
The landfill is divided into cells and lined with a thick,
impermeable plastic membrane to prevent leaching. The 200-acre
site is estimated to be able to handle the County's solid waste
afor the forseeable future. A separate facility is provided for
non-polluting demolition fill.
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11
0
STREETS AND ROADS
The rapid growth experienced by the City of Wilmington and
New Hanover County in recent years has resulted in an increased
traffic burden on local roads. The fact that this rapid growth
is expected to continue into the future has resulted in a
consequent concern for instituting a comprehensive system of
roadway improvements in order to accomodate the increased traffic
flow. The Wilmington City Council and the New Hanover County
Commission have recently (late 1985j authorized the production of
an updated Wilmington Urban Area Thoroughfare Plan. This plan,
and the existing street and road system, are discussed in some
detail below.
EXISTING ROADWAY SYSTEM
The primary traffic patterns of the City and the County can
best be described by identifying the major highway facilities and
their general utilization. These facilities are described below
in terms of their traffic orientation, either north -south or
east -west. A discussion of other area roadways follows the
sections on major highways.
Major North -South Highways:
1. College Road (NC Highway 132) - This roadway is located
on the eastern edge of the City of Wilmington and
interconnects US Highway 421 and Market Street
(southern segment) as well as Market Street and the
completed portion of US Interstate Highway I-40
(northern segment). Traffic volumes on College Road
currently varies from 10,800 vehicles per day at Myrtle
Grove Junction to 37,700 vehicles per day in the
vicinity of Wrightsville Avenue.
2. Carolina Beach Road (US Highway 421) - Carolina Beach
Road circles the western and southern boundaries of the
City of Wilmington and extends southward into Carolina
and Kure Beaches, serving as the primary through
traffic connector between "Pleasure Island" and US
Highway.17 (Market Street). Average daily traffic
south of Shipyard Boulevard on Carolina Beach Road has
increased from 18,500 vehicles (1983) to 25,500
vehicles (1985).
3. Kerr Avenue (NC Highway 1175) - This thoroughfare,
extending northward from Peachtree Avenue in the City
of Wilmington to Gordon Road in New Hanover County,
serves both local and through traffic. Traffic volumes
have increased at one section of Kerr Avenue from
U
2.7 - 1
I

14,800 vehicles per day in 1983, to 17,700 vehicles per
day in 1985.
Major East-West Highways:
1. Market Street•(US Highway 17) - Market Street, the area's
primary east -west roadway, carries US Highway 17
through traffic, as well as a significant amount of
local traffic,.between Third Street in downtown
Wilmington and the northeastern portion of New Hanover
County. The roadway carries an average daily traffic
volume of 26,000 vehicles, which exceeds the roadway's
capacity.
2. Oleander Drive (US Highway 76) - Oleander Drive
interconnects 17th Street in the City with Eastwood
Road in the County. The roadway's highest current
traffic volume occurs at its intersection with Fordham
Road: 31,800 vehicles per day.
3. Wrightsville Avenue - This predominately two-lane
thoroughfare connects the City of Wilmington and the
Town of Wrightsville Beach. It currently handles a
traffic volume of 16,000 vehicles per day; this volume
is expected to reach 31,OOO vehicles per day by the
year 2005.
Other Roadways
The N.C. Department of Transportation owns and maintains
some 441 miles of roadways in New Hanover County, including most
of the length of the major highways listed above. The City of
Wilmington owns and maintains approximately 228 miles of
roadways, including 37 miles recently added to the system through
recent annexations. Lack of sufficient collectors between
residential streets and the major highways in the City roadway
system has resulted in some residental streets being used as
thoroughfares, creating traffic conflicts within these
neighborhoods.
The City has an ongoing street -paving program, currently
receiving an annual budget allocation of $500,000. Excepting
unpaved streets in the newly annexed areas, it is projected that
all currently unpaved City streets will be paved, landscaped, and
provided with sidewalks by FY 1990-91.
2.7 - 2

R
THE THOROUGHFARE PLAN
A review of the 1972 Wilmington Urban Area Thoroughfare
D Plan, authorized by the Wilmington City Council and the New
Hanover County Commission in late 1985, addresses the roadway
capacity and traffic circulation problems outlined above. The
main objectives of an updated Thoroughfare Plan, expected to be
Qapproved in 1986, are:
To establish an implementable traffic network
D which will meet the public's travel needs through the
year 2005 at reasonable levels of service.
To establish a preliminary capital improvement program
to prioritize road improvements and to reserve the land
necessary for these improvements so that the planned
networks can be efficiently constructed.
The Throughfare Plan is best regarded as a "living"
document, requiring continual review and updating to reflect
changing traffic patterns and conditions. Through this periodic
review and re-evaluation, the present and future transportation
needs of the Wilmington - New Hanover County region can best be
served.
The following table lists the major components of the
currently proposed for the 1985 Thoroughfare Plan Update. A map
is also provided showing both the existing street network and the
proposed improvements to the Wilmington Urban Area transportation
system.
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L STREET LIGHTING
u

STREET LIGHTS
I
CITY OF WILMINGTON
(� Street lighting within the City is provided and serviced by
U Carolina Power and Light Company on a contractual basis. Prior
to the recent annexations, there were a total of 4,797 luminaires
within the City Limits.
Most luminaires in the City are now the efficient sodium
vapor type. Mercury vapor lights have proved to be unsatisfactory
D because they give off an unflattering light which alters colors.
In the downtown area and along major thoroughfares, 38,000
lumens is the typical size used. However, 26 lights at major
intersections are rated at 50,000 lumens. The less -busy
(� thoroughfares of the newly annexed areas will be lit by 220
U luminaires casting 22,000 lumens each. Residential areas have
less need for bright street lights; most of the City's 3,340
residential street lights produce 9,500 lumens..
I
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
Q i The County assumes no responsibility for lighting the roads
ii` unincorporated areas. Individual developers and neighborhood
associations may install and maintain streetlights within their
neighborhoods. The State DOT may light critical intersections
on the roads which it maintains.
IN
III
III
2.8 - 1
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SCHOOL SYSTEM AND EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS

0
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EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
NEW HANOVER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
The New Hanover County school District comprises the entire
County. No separate school district has been created for the
area within the City limits.
For the year 1985-86, a projected total of 18,758 students
will be taught by 969 teachers within the public school system.
The schools that will operate during the 1985-86 school year are
listed in the following table:
New Hanover County Schools, 1985-86
School Built/ Teaching Enrollment/ Facilities*
0 /Renov Stations /Capacity
Elementary
Alderman,Edwin A. 1963/75
Bellamy,Heyward C. 1983
B1air,John J.
1969/75
Blount,William
H. 1951-53
Bradley Creek
1986
Carolina Beach
1938-53/75
College Park
1964-69
Forest Hills
1926-42/54
Gregory
1937-62
Howe,Mary W.
1963
Johnson,Dorothy B. 1985
Ogden
1959/67/69/75
Pine Valley
1969/75
Roe,J.C.
1955-69
Snipes,Annie H.
1942-63/52/56
Sunset Park El.
1954/69/24-59
Tileston
1870-1937/51
19
28
24
18
24
16
24
20
31
15
24
21
24
17
36
23
29
Williams,Mary C. 1976 24
Winter Park 1926-42/56 21
Wrightsboro 1926/53/63/68 25
Wrightsville Beach 1953-62 7
Junior High
Lake Forest
Noble,M.C.S.
Roland Grise
Sunset Park
Trask, Emma B.
Virgo,D.C.
Williston
415/475 CAGM, 15 ac.
584 CM
518/600 CMG, 15 ac.
447/450 LCAGM, 6 ac.
/600 CM
436/400 CM, 5.3 ac.
542/600 CM, 15.7 ac.
481/500 CAM, 5.5 ac.
519/775 CAM, 7.0 ac.
228/375 CM, 5.5 ac.
484/600 CM
548/525 CAGM, 10 ac.
575/600 CAGM, 15 ac.
310/350 CAGM, 12 ac.
611/900 GCMABS, 6.5 ac.
505/575 CAM, 6 ac.
Temporary use by Bradley
Creek students, 1.7 ac.
564/600 CM, 18.9 ac.
450/525 LCAM, 5 ac.
569/625 LCAM, 9 ac.
164/175 CAGM, 5.8 ac.
1942/52-56/52
34
772/765
GCMABS,19.8 ac.
1970
693/630
GCMABS,20.8 ac.
1960
37
915/832
GCMABS, 25 ac.
1944/52/52-69
26
483/585
GCMABS, 6 ac.
1976
28
738/630
GCMABS,30 ac.
1964
22
523/495
GCMABS,5.2 ac.
1953/46
37
703/832
GCMABS,21.5ac.
*KEY: G - Gymnasium Facility C - Cafeteria
M - Media Center A - Auditorium
B - Music Room
S - Shop
2.9 - 1

School
Built/
Teaching
Enrollment/
/Renov
Stations
/Capacity
Senior High
Hoggard,John
T. 1967-69
71
1743/1598
Laney,Emsley
A. 1976
48
1222/1080
New Hanover
1920-46/54
77
1577/1755
*KEY: G - Gymnasium Facility C -
Cafeteria
M - Media Center
A -
Auditorium
Facilities*
GCMABS, 67 ac.
GCMABS, 50 ac.
GCMABS, 10 ac.
B - Music Room
S - Shop
The New Hanover County.school system also owns the following
former school buildings which now have new uses, or are vacant,
waiting for new uses to be found:
Former School Built Clasrms/Land New Use
Bradley Creek (old) 1954/62/84 4/6.6 ac. Extension Service
Catlett,Washington Audio -Visual Dept.
Dudley 1912-25/59 16 Headstart Program
Hooper,William 1914/42/54 13/2 ac. Office Building
Peabody 1924-53 21/1 ac. Vacant
one new school was opened in Fall, 1985, Dorothy B. Johnson
Elementary School. A second new elementary school, Bradley
Creek, will be opened in the spring of 1986. To meet future
needs, a new middle school has been proposed for the southern
part of the County on Sanders Road.
2.9 - 2

NEW HANOVER COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
` The function of the New Hanover County Extension Service is
to conduct informal educational programs and activities related
({ to agriculture, home economics, youth development, and community
L� resource development. The North Carolina Agricultural Extension
Service at N.C. State University is the parent agency and the
county office is an outreach educational effort extending
research findings and information from the University.
The major agricultural programs include production and
n marketing of agricultural crops, commercial landscaping,
!t�{ forestry, home horticulture, pesticide safety, soils and soil
fertility, entomology and plant pathology. Home economics
programs relate to food preparation and nutrition, housing and
house furnishings, human development, crafts, clothing and
textiles.
The Extension Service office was recently moved from an old
facility on Division Drive into larger quarters at 6206 Oleander
Drive. It occupies the remaining buildings of the former Bradley
Creek School, which was partially destroyed by fire in 1983.
The renovated buildings house offices of Extension Agents, a
learning_mnter, a plant clinic and conference rooms. The former
cafeteria �.s used for classrooms and the kitchen serves as a home
economics demonstration area.
The naturally beautiful 6-acre site of the former school
was selected as the new location of the Extension office because
it would accomodate a long -planned arboretum. Development of the,
arboretum is currently in progress and, when completed, will
contain thousands of different types of plant materials arranged
in a variety of landscape designs. The arboretum will be used in
the Extension's ongoing horticulture educational programs for
nurserymen, landscape operators and residents of New Hanover.
County and southeastern North Carolina.

I
QCAPE FEAR TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
As a two-year public institution of higher education Ca
Y P g e P
Fear Technical Institute offers programs of learning to adults in
D general education, vocational, technical and industrial training,
and college -level academic studies.
During the 1985-86 school year 991 full-time and 1,264 part-
time curriculum students, 6,539 continuing education students
L! were enrolled. The majority of these students commute from New
Hanover and Pender Counties. The school operates year-round on
the quarter system, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.,
and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Facilities:
CFTI's physical plant, located on the east.bank of the Cape
j� Fear River in downtown Wilmington, consists of three main
�j buildings:
n 1. A four-story administration/shop/lab building;
L2. A seven -story facility housing classrooms,,a 30,000-volume
and 650-periodical library, laboratories, and a student
activity area;
3. A shop -classroom complex containing two five -ton overhead
cranes.
(� Additional facilities are:
�j 4. A building (922 North Front Street) owned by New Hanover
County which houses the Electronics and Instumentation
programs;
5. A four-story barge which contains marine labs and
workshops (moored on Cape Fear River behind CFTI).
In all, there are 51 classrooms and 45 lab/shops.
0 Faculty
6
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To teach the 2,175 curriculum students there are 71 full-
time and 7 part-time faculty members. Part-time faculty, who
teach the continuing education courses, number more than 450.
This number will vary on a quarter by quarter basis, depending on
the needs of the community.
Q 2.9 - 4

Curriculum
This institution provides technical and trade curriculum
programs as well as vocational courses. These are also offered
in extension to fill the needs of the area's businesses and
n industries.
Future Plans
CFTI's Board of Trustees, with the Pender County
aCommissioners, are planning a 5,000+ square -foot building on a
satellite campus. This facility will be located on 22.8 acres on
N.C. Route 210 where it crosses the Northeast Cape Fear River.
Course offerings for this location have not yet been determined.
a
2.9 - 5

t� UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT WILMINGTON
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) is a
public comprehensive educational institution, founded as
Wilmington College in 1947. It became the sixth campus in the
UNC system in 1969 and is now the second fastest growing
university in the 16-campus UNC system.
With a faculty of 323, organized into the College of Arts
and Sciences, the Cameron School of Business Administration, the
School of Education, and the School of Nursing, the University
offers over 5,770 curriculum students the following
undergraduate, pre -professional, and graduate programs:
Degree Programs
Accountancy **Elementary Education Nursing
Anthropology English Parks & Recreatn.Mgmt
Art Environmental Studies Philosophy & Religion
Biology Finance Physical Education
*Bio-Oceanography French Physics
Business Mgmnt. Geography Political Science
*Bus.Mgt.& Admin. Geology Psychology
n Chemistry History *Reading Education
Ll Computer Science_ Mathematics Social Science
Coastal Biology **Marine Biology Sociology
�j Drama Marketing Spanish
U Economics Medical Technology **Special Education
*Educational Admn. Middle Grade Education Speech Communication
n & Supervision Music
)u� * master's program
** doctoral program
The University first moved to its current site on College
Road in 1961, when it occupied three buildings. Now there are 49
buildings on its 650-acre tract. In 5 residence halls and 13
j� apartment buildings,.1,556 students live on campus. A University
Union and Student Support Services Building provide for the needs
of resident and commuting students, and are used occasionally by
the general public.
Three of the University's major facilities are also
available for use by the general public. Kenan Auditorium (1000
seats), Trask Coliseum (6000 seats), and Randall Library (the
Gregional Federal Document Repository).
1. Kenan Auditorium is used for concerts, theatre productions,
j1 lectures and public meetings. Its use is obtained by
calling Kenan Auditorium directly.
2. Trask Coliseum is used for exhibitions and larger shows as
well as athletic events. Arrangements for its use are made
by contacting the Coliseum office.
r 2.9 - 6
u

3. Randall Library is available to the public for research, and
a temporary card for county residents to borrow materials
can be obtained upon the payment of a nominal fee.
UNCW offers evening classes and two 4-week summer terms. In
addition to the regular curriculum courses, the office of Special
Programs offers a variety of seminars, short courses and
workshops for continuing education credit or for personal
enrichment.
2.9 - 7

0 Wilmington -New Hanover- Count ,R R
9 Y
Community Facilities Study r3_1 ,r
\` ti
0 LOCATION OF .PUBLIC SCHOOLS
f
Within Suburban Area of New Hanover County cape Fear
Technical Institute
Z.
BRUNSWICZ
: URB L
IVD
IC
Suburban Schools.
ELEMENTARY: JUNIOR HIGH
1 Bellamy, Heyward C. ® Noble, M.C.S. County.:Exten
2 Blair, John J. ® Trask, Emma B. ' =� - r ,�'r •S, / .
3O Bradley Creek Ap A/-
® Carolina Beach HIGH SCHOOL = "'4j�-
OS College Park 13 . Laney, Emsl ey A.
© Ogden
O7 Pine Valley
® Williams, Mary C. ^
9O Wrightsboro - L•
10 Wrightsville Beach SCALE IN "cgs

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Wilmington -New Hanover County
s .,Community Facilities Study
j NEW HANOVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Within Urban Area of'
WILMINGTON, N.C.*
11
URBAN SCHOOL LOCATIONS.
i
ELEMENTARY:
Ol Alderman, -Edwin A.
9
O2 Bount, Wm. H. -
+ O3 Forest Hills
♦ / ~�`•.c` Q Gregor
Howe, Mary Washington
�O © Johnson, Dorothy B-.
,r Q7 Roe, J. C.
i t ® Snipes, Annie Herring
� O9 Sunset Park \
O10 Winter Park
Tileston
JUNIOR HIGH:
l j i,$J! k, \ j ��i' m I IT ®�®OQ t — t --•' , F Ql Lake Forest
CJ / I, '`• �\ _" — Elm❑Cif❑❑®®❑❑1�❑©� ❑ (ICE
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l; j �'�,;, ,' s•. _�.._4�� 1 © Roland-Grise
f � L
v❑1M®0 ECA000©E❑ ..... m❑ t, - Sunset Park
r '`�•�'"`�i - ❑❑❑❑ ❑ .. '\\� ® D. C. VirgouuuwE`
❑❑ me 4 ❑❑❑❑ 5 i ! ' _ �.� 1 © Williston
EC1F QGLL--JjB❑❑me❑ED©❑❑❑E:❑❑�❑ ;.1 i;
I�m❑Gc❑❑❑�❑EE©❑❑❑❑EEE : ❑ /r yo tt If +1 HIGH SCHOOL:
r.-,,.,..�'� d u_al ,-'��_;E-��?E(�� ❑ CSC C.ae❑ _ ❑❑ ❑ C'Q CAL' � l� �•�r�����`'�� ��� •�� � ,,�
�� iJ��—. — CjQ'i❑ ❑�L3�❑❑❑0 1�Q����C CI�+Q� 16 Hoggard
IS
0 +�� ;_ D❑� I — .9 _ 17 New Hanover
� ❑❑C❑❑❑❑ -��. r� .
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WILMINGTON URBAN AREA MAP L�
REV/SEO diaRt7l 1985�
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(; FACILITIES

TRANSPORTATION
QWILMINGTON PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM
The Wilmington Transit Authority was organized in 1974 to
sustain local bus service formerly managed by the privately
financed Wilmington City Lines. This company succeeded the
aSafeway Transit Company, which provided street car service until
its discontinuance in 1940. From a total of ten routes offered
to the public in the early 1950's, the total number of routes has
al decreased to the present five. However, the current route
structure serves all major employment centers and most
n neighborhoods within the City limits.
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Fixed Route Transit
Bus routes operate Monday through Friday, from 6:10 a.m. to
8 p.m., but coordinated service is effective from 6:30 a.m. to-
6:30 p.m. Times between buses are one hour maximum and 1/2 hour
a minimum. All routes converge for transfers at 2nd and
Princess Streets. Service to Wrightsville Beach operates
twice each day, Monday through Friday. - --
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Dial -A -Ride Transit (DART)
DART serves people who are unable to use regular transit
service due to physical handicap. Posession of an approved
identification card is required to obtain service.
a Operating from 6 a.m. until after 6 p.m., Monday through
Saturday, DART service is provided within Wilmington city limits,
and elsewhere under contract to New Hanover County for the
D Department of Aging. Requests for service must be scheduled 24
hours in advance.
QWILMINGTON TRANSIT AUTHORITY EQUIPMENT
Vehicles Year Type Capacity(each) Av.Miles/Vehicle
IN
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1970
Short Buses
44
20,493
15
1975
Long Buses
57
280,521
1
1978
Motor Home Coach
25
14,558
2
1981
Lift-Equiped Vans
15
21,852
Each bus stop is marked with a sign. Shelters are found at
16 such locations, and 45 bus stops are equipped with benches.
Proposed purchase of equipment includes an additional 25 shelters
and 50 benches, in order to enhance the quality of service. The
transfer station area at 2nd Street is scheduled for a number of
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improvements to be completed by 1986. This project will include
the construction of 6 shelters and 12 benches, with the addition
of 12 trash receptacles, 8 street lights, and 8 street trees.
DThe WTA garage is located at 1110 Castle Street. It has
three repair pits, a parts room and a fueling station, and houses
the manager's office.
(� WTA ridership had been declining during the last two
l� decades, but in recent years has stabilized at approximately
735,348 riders per year. These people are primarily those who do
not have access to private automobiles, or for some reason cannot
operate an automobile. They are therefore dependent upon public
transit in order to earn a livelihood or reach vital services
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INTERCITY BUS TRANSPORTATION
Three bus lines serve Wilmington, involving 32 intercity
departures daily from a bus station at Third and Harnett Streets.
It is operated by the Wilmington Union Bus Corporation. The.bus
companies which currently serve Wilmington are:
Greyhound Lines/North Carolina
Seashore Transportation Company
Trailways, Inc.
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DRAIL TRANSPORTATION
Wilmington and the surrounding areas are served by the
Seaboard System Railroad Company. Formerly, Wilmington
functioned as a. railway hub where a number of branch lines
a converged, but now the areas's only branch line goes to Hamlet on
the system's main line.
Trains to and from main line junction points handle freight
shipments originating or terminating in the Wilmington area.
Daily freight trains are scheduled to make connections with fast
north -south main line trains.
Just west of Wilmington, in Brunswick County, the Seaboard
(� System Railroad operates the new 1,200-car Davis Railroad Yard.
l.J Waterway containers on such chassis are also handled by this
piggyback facility. This rail freight transfer point replaces a
rail yard which was located in downtown Wilmington until 1974.
The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, the predecessor- of the
Seaboard Coast Line in Wilmington, left the City in 1960, and all
rail passenger service ceased then.
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WATER TRANSPORTATION
North Carolina State Ports Authority
Manufactured goods and raw materials amounting to three
million tons per year enter and leave the country through the
State-owned deep -water port facility in Wilmington. The State
Port is located 26 miles north of the mouth of the Cape Fear
River and two hours from'the open sea. The channel and turning
basins are maintained at a depth of 38 feet mean low water. The
wharf at the port, where more than 600 ships dock annually, is
over 6,OOO feet long.
The terminal is equipped with three 40-ton full -bridge
container cranes for handling containerized shipments. Four
gantry cranes provide additional lifting capacity, and special
cargo can be handled by an additional 140-ton mobile crane.
Transit sheds and warehouses provide one and a half million
feet of covered, sprinklered storage. For exterior storage, the
terminal has over 100 acres of paved area. Current plans call
for the development of 20 additional acres of land for container
storage. Rail service by Seaboard System Railroad includes
storage for 370 cars, three switching engines, and ajacent
mainline connections. Service is also provided by over 50 motor
carriers, many of which maintain trucking terminals in and
around the City of Wilmington.
Additional services include fumigation, a certified scale
and weighmaster, and 24-hour security. U.S.Customs maintains
offices at the State Port, allowing most shipments to be cleared
by Customs within 24 hours of arrival. The Port of Wilmington
has been designated a Foreign Trade Zone, offering warehouse and
cargo space as well as 13 acres of open land for use as special
Customs zones. Primary exports and imports handled at the
Wilmington State Port are listed below:
Exports
Cigarettes
Unmanufactured tobacco
Textile products
Textile raw materials
Machinery and equipment
Vehicles: ambulances, school
buses, garbage trucks
Scrap metal
Wood products: milk carton stock,
liner board, plywood, wood
chips and wood pulp
Imports
Bulk chemicals: salt and urea
Iron and steel products
Lumber, plywood, hardboard
Textile chemicals & dyes
Staple fiber, yarn, burlap
and jute
Textile machinery
Leaf tobacco
Automobile products
Retail items
Food products
More than 60 steamship lines call at the port and provide
service to some 200 ports worldwide.
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AIR TRANSPORTATION
New Hanover County Airport
The New Hanover County Airport encompasses approximately
1,500 acres located north of the City of Wilmington, between
North Twenty-third and North Kerr Streets.
This airport has two runways; one is 8,000 feet and the
other is 7,000 feet in length. The 7,000-foot runway is equipped
with an Instrument Landing System and sequenced flashing lights
on the primary approach end. It also has all-weather instrument
marking and high -intensity runway lights, runway end identifier
lights, Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI-4), and a 1000-foot
over -run on the back course approach. The 8,000-foot-long non -
instrument runway has medium intensity runway lights, VASI-4,
REIL R/W 5, and a 900-foot overrun.
The airport holds an Intercontinental FAA rating with no
restrictions. The control tower operates 18 hours per day.
Modern electronic aids include an automatic radar tracking system
with Stage III Service and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional
Range with Distance Measuring Equipment. Facilities here are
capable of handling Boeing 747's and C-51s, the world's largest
airplanes, on an occasional basis.
Airport Operations
At this airport, three Fixed Base Operations provide a full
range of aeronautical services: hanger storage, aircraft sales
and service, fuel sales, repair, flight instruction, and rentals.
A full-time Crash and Fire Rescue Unit is also maintained here.
Scheduled air service is provided by Piedmont Airlines,
United Airlines, and American Eagle Airlines, a subsidiary of
American Airlines. Airplane passenger service has increased
dramatically in recent years. Between 1982 and 1983,
enplanements rose from 77,735 to 110,445, an increase of more
than 42%. In 1984, enplanements increased by an additional 12%
to 123,255, and in 1985 by 20% to 146,487.
Cargo traffic has increased even more.markedly, with cargo
unloadings nearly_ tripling from 1,091,146 pounds in 1982 to
2,730,400 pounds in 1984. This primarily reflects an increase in
air express cargo.
The present terminal, supported by several hundred parking
spaces, contains over 11,000 square feet. It has facilities for
ticketing, baggage claim, concessions, a coffee shop, lobby, car
rental and limosine service.
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Future Plans for Airport Expansion
A new terminal is in the early construction phase, however,
which will feature passenger -loading bridges, more concession and
waiting space, and an enclosed baggage area. The anticipated
cost of the planned improvements will total $19,000,000, of which
$5 to $8 million will be local funds. The terminal building
itself will only cost 6 to 8 million dollars; the remainder will
be spent for aircraft parking aprons, utilities, roads, auto
parking, landscaping, and signage. Work is also planned to
improve other facilities, such as airport pavement -sealing,
lighting rehabilitation, and taxiway construction.
A new master plan for the airport is scheduled for
completion in 1986, as is a new FAA control tower, East Ramp
access road, and aircraft lighting vault.
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HEALTH SERVICES

HEALTH SERVICES
NEW HANOVER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The New Hanover County Health Department offices,
laboratories, radiology and dental clinics occupy a building
adjacent to New Hanover Memorial Hospital complex on South 17th
Street. This facility was opened in 1974, when its operations
were moved from a former location at 21 North 4th Street.
Administered by a..Health Director, who is responsible to an
11-member Board of Health, the Health Department has 135 County
employees and two State employees working within its ten
divisions. These divisions are listed below:
Administration Environmental Health Services Laboratory
Animal Control Public Health General Home Health Care
Dental Health Health Opportunities Health Promotions
Nutrition, Education & Counseling
Except for Home Health Care, Animal Control, and the Insect
& Rodent Control section of Environmental Health Services, all of
the above divisions are headquartered in the main building.
Home Health Care presently occupies a leased space in the Glen
Meade Shopping Center. The Animal Control Division (see page 2.2
- 2) and Insect & Rodent Control Section of the Environmental
Health Services Division occupy buildings on Division Drive.
General responsibilities of the divisions are as follows:
1. Administration - Responsible for these functions:
a. Liason: Between Health Department staff and County
government, as well as the liason between the State
Division of Health Services, the Health Department
staff, and other County staff;
b. Provides Efficient Assistance: In areas of routine
administrative matters, fiscal management,personnel
policies and procedures, and such assistance to other
staff as is needed;
c. Provides Vital Records Services: Submits such
records as mandated by G.S. 130-63;
d. Responsible for Public Relations: With County citizens
and visitors.
2. Environmental Health Services - Responsible for these
inspection/investigative programs:
a. Establishments: Sanitary inspections of restaurants,
food and drink stands, meat markets, lodging
establishments, schools and school cafeterias, local
confinement facilities, hospitals, rest and nursing
homes, residential care facilities, child day care
facilities, and sea food markets.

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b. Water Supplies: Inspections of all newly installed
water supplies to insure that they are constructed
according to local regulations. Collecting water
C samples from public and private water supplies for
bacteriological analysis.
c. Sewage Disposal: Inspections of all newly installed on-
a site waste -water disposal systems. Supervision of
repairs and maintenance of existing sewage systems.
Soil evaluations performed on each individual lot
n requiring a septic tank.
ud. Other: Lead poisoning prevention/detection, air
monitoring, complaint investigation, solid waste
storage and disposal, insect and rodent control,
inspection of public swimming pools.
3. Dental Health - Through the schools and in a clinic at the
main Health Department office building, kindergarten through
eighth grade students receive oral hygiene education from a
dental hygienist, screening for dental disease, and are
eligible to participate in a fluoride mouth rinse program.
In addition, certain students are eligible to receive
comprehensive. restorative dental care.
L 4. Laboratory - Certified by Department of Human Resources to
make the following tests: Serology (VDRL), Bacteriologic
Examinations for Milk and Water, and Cultures for Venereal
Q Disease (Gonorrhea). Other tests are performed for Health
Department Clinics and upon request of private physicians.
5. Home Health Care - Nursing Care, Physical Therapy, Speech
a Therapy, Home Health Aide Services and Occupational Therapy
Services are available to any resident of New Hanover County
on orders from a physician. This program serves as the
D Certified Home Health Agency for Medicare and Medicaid
patients.
(� 6. Nutrition - Responsible for these programs:
(� a. Education and Counseling: Available to the general public
upon request as an integral part of Health Department
programs.
b. WIC: Special supplemental feeding program for pregnant
and nursing women, infants and children who meet income
criteria and are at medical and nutritional risk.
a7. Health Promotions - Responsible for these programs:
a. Health Education: Provides health -related educational
a materials and information to individuals and groups.
Program presentations made upon request.
b. Risk Reduction/Accident Prevention: New program
designed to reduce accident rate of males and females
over age sixty, by increasing awareness of hazards.
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8. Public Health General - Clinics held at various appropriate
locations and times, as well as daily community health
nursing clinics held at the Martin Luther King Center and
Rankin Terrace Center (weekly schedule published). These
types of clinics are scheduled:
Adult Health Infant & Child Health. Orthopedic Clinic
Family Planning Maternal Health Neurosensory Clinic
Venereal Diseases Tuberculosis & Respiratory
In addition, School Health clinics are held weekly (or as
necessary) by Public Health Nurses who provide re -screening,
referral and/or consultation, and counseling services. Home
visits are made, if indicated, for follow-up care.
9. Health Opportunities Responsible for the New Hanover County
Employee Preventive Health Program. Program components
are:
Health Risk Appraisal Health Screening Self -Help Kits
Groups & Workshops Counseling&Referral On -Site Activities
Blood Pressure/Weight Self -Monitoring
Vehicles and Equipment
Sixteen vehicles are owned by the Health Department. These
include the six Animal Control trucks, a back -hoe and four
mosquito -control trucks with ultra -low -volume (ULV) machines
mounted on the back.
Future Plans
Planning for main building expansion, in order to provide
more room for programs such as Home Health Care, WIC, Laboratory,
Health Promotions, PHG, and Health Opportunities has been
authorized by the County Commissioners. However, this process is
only in the preliminary stages.
2.11 - 3

HOSPITALS
New Hanover Memorial Hospital
The New Hanover Memorial Hospital is a county -owned regional
tertiary care hospital which serves a seven -county area in
southeastern North Carolina. These counties include New Hanover,
Pender, Bladen, Columbus, Duplin, Brunswick and Onslow.
Approximately 45% of all inpatients come from outside New Hanover
County. Licensed by the State for 527 beds, it is presently
operating at.a 410-bed level.
Special units include a 10-bed neo-natal intensive care
unit, an intensive care unit, and a coronary.care unit. Other
units are Obstetrics/ Gynecology, Pediatrics, Medical/Surgical,
Ambulatory Surgery, Endoscopy, Psychiatry, and the state's
fourth -busiest 24-hour fully -staffed Emergency Treatment Center.
Out -patient diagnostic and treatment services, and cardio-
vascular services are also available.
The Hospital complex on South 17th Street includes the main
building, an Area -wide Health Education Center (AHEC) affiliated
with the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, and a
staff residence facility for the students who are participating
in the various AHEC 3-year medical residency programs.
Active medical staff members number 236. They are supported
by the efforts of approximately 1,700 other staff members.
Projects currently under implementation include:
1. Transition to a new 24-bed family -centered obstetrical
unit (opening in spring of 1986);
2. Expansion of ambulatory surgery and endoscopy services;
3. Construction of a new psychiatric facility;
4. Acquisition of a magnetic imaging device;
5. Development of cardiac catherization and open-heart
surgery services.
Cape Fear Memorial Hospital
Cape Fear Memorial is a 137-bed private non-profit acute
care hospital located at 5301 Wrightsville Avenue. It offers a
wide range of medical, surgical and emergency services. The
Emergency Room is open 24 hours per day, and is covered by staff
physicians.
Specialty areas include an Ambulatory Surgical Unit which
functions during weekdays and a new Endoscopy Department. The
Obstetrics/ Gynecology unit offers two family -oriented birthing
centers. A new nursery is presently under construction, and
construction will begin in February 1986 on a new Intensive
Care -Coronary Care Unit. The latter will feature a 7-bed
2.11 - 4

aCape Fear Memorial Hospital(continued)
ICU/CCC, a 6-bed Progressive Care Unit, and new monitoring
equipment.
A Department of Health Promotion and Wellness, called
"Concept Health" was recently added to the hospital. It offers
health awareness and structured lifestyle self-help programs such
as nutritional awareness, smoking cessation, stress management,
physical fitness and weight loss.
Lower Cape Fear Hospice
Adjacent to the Cape Fear Memorial Hospital, this non-profit
organization provides care and support for terminally -ill
patients, enabling them to be at home as much as possible
throughout the illness. Additionally, Hospice helps the
patient's family cope with the patient's illness and subsequent
death.
Anyone is eligible who resides in Brunswick, New Hanover or
�} Pender Counties, has a diagnosis of a terminal illness with
l� physician referral, and desires Hospice services. A person or
persons (i.e., family member or friend) should be available to
assume responsibility for the patient's care on an on -going
basis.
In -patient care is not provided on -site, but in conjunction
with area hospitals and nursing homes.
Life Center of Wilmington
Located at 2520 Troy Drive, The Life
inpatient treatment hospital for alcholism
It treats both adolescents and adults.
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MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Southeastern Mental Health Center
Located adjacent to the County Health Department Building on
South 17th Street, the Southeastern Mental Health Center is the
comprehensive planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring
group for community -based mental health services in a region
which includes New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender Counties. As
the primary mode of service delivery, an outpatient clinic here
treats adults and children for problems related to mental
illness, mental retardation and substance abuse.
Consultation and education activities for other agencies,
businesses, and the general public are provided as requested.
This service to the region amounts to approximately 10,000 man-
hours per year. '
Additionally, some services are provided by contracting with
other agencies. These are:
SERVICE
1. Drug Services/Crisis Line
2. Residential Treatment for
Alchoholics
3. Respite Care Home
(developmentally disabled)
4. Developmental Day Care
(developmentally disabled)
5. Adult Development Activities
Program (developmentally
disabled)
CONTRACTING AGENCY
Cape Fear Substance Abuse Center
Sencland Alumni Association
Child Development Center, Inc.
Child Development Center, Inc.
New Hanover Sheltered Workshop
and Brunswick Technical College
6. Willie M. Group Home for Cape Fear Substance Abuse Center
children
The Area Program staff of 104 employees includes full-time
and consulting psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social
workers, and professional management executives.
Space at the main clinic facility is not sufficient to
accommodate the growing demand for its program. It has been
necessary to lease private property for additional working space
and some program activities.
The need for an inpatient substance -abuse detoxification
' center is also strongly felt. A recent study indicates that a
twenty (20) bed unit, having approximately 8,500 square feet, is
required to meet current needs.
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Cape Fear Substance Abuse Center
Located at 202 North 5th.Street, the Cape Fear Substance
Abuse Center is a private non-profit corporation which contracts
with the Southeastern Mental Health Center -to provide the
following services for Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender
Counties:
1. PRIMARY PREVENTION/ DRUG EDUCATION - "Life skills"
education,.substance abuse information, and alternative
activities delivered through school -based and
community -based programs;
2. CRISIS INTERVENTION AND EMERGENCY SHELTER This function
is located in a separate facility, the Crisis Line -
Open House (see below);
3. TREATMENT ALTERNATIVES TO STREET CRIME - Serves as a
liason between the Criminal Justice System and the
treatment community, assessing need for treatment,
assigning the appropriate treatment modality,
monitoring effectiveness of the treatment, and
reporting to the referring agent on a regular basis (in
a separate facility located at 713B Princess Street);
4. DRUG TREATMENT AND EVALUATION - Evaluation and drug -free
treatment services for individuals demonstrating a
documented history of drug abuse
Crisis Line -Open House
Crisis Line is the telephone counseling service and Open
House is the walk-in service funded by various state and local
sources. It began operation in 1971 under the direction of the
New Hanover Drug Abuse Committee, Inc. There have been an
increased number of calls each year.
Open 24 hours every day, the Open House provides counseling
service for family situations, unwanted pregnancy, and victims of
violence and rape. Pregnancy tests can be administered, and
information about birth control obtained. Information about drug
identification is also available.
Crisis Line -Open House provides emergency shelter for
troubled youth, and in some cases finds alternatives to
incarceration for status offenders. In addition, it can make
arrangements for battered women and their children to find
shelter in Safe House, a non-profit cooperative home (the
location of which must remain undisclosed) where they can find
protection and help in their dangerous situation.
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Crisis Line -Open House (continued)
Trained volunteers make most of the Crisis Line efforts
possible.. It operates its own training program. The training is
conducted by a team, themselves volunteers who have had extensive
experience in Crisis Line operations; many of the volunteers also
have professional backgrounds in the area of counseling and
psychology.
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SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING
NEW HANOVER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Through the delivery of preventive and restorative programs,
the Department of Social Services (DSS) seeks to assist and to
protect the vulnerable: children, old people, the blind, the
disabled, and the sick. In 1984, it directly helped at least one
out of every five County residents. The primary DSS programs are
listed below:
Programs of Economic Assistance and Social Services
Provided or Administered by DSS
Adoptions
Adult Day Care
Adult Protective Services
Aid Fams.with Depend.Children
Child Support Enforcement
Children's Protective Services
Chore Services
Community Alternatives Program
CP&L Project Share Grant
Crisis Intervention Program
Day Care for Children
Disaster Relief
Domiciliary Care
Early Diagnosis & Screening
Emergency Food & Shelter
Family Planning
Food Stamps
Foster Care for Adults
Foster Care for Children
Friends of Black Children Proj.
General Assistance
Long -Term Care Screening Prgm.
Low Income Energy Assistance
Medicaid
Perm. Planning for Children
Services to the Blind
Shelter Staffing in Disasters
Special Assistance to Adults
State Abortion Fund
Surplus Comodity Distribution
Transportation Services
Volunteer Adopt -A -Family
Volunteer Brush Fire Corp
Volunteer Friendly Visitors
Volunteer Holiday Programs
Volunteer In -House Programs
Work Incentive Programs
Work Permit Issuance
The present DSS building on Rankin Street, near downtown
Wilmington, is overcrowded and has serious structural
deficiencies. For a number of years, the building has failed to
pass annual State building inspections. If no improvements are
made, future Federal and State funding may be jeopardized.
Overcrowding Problems
- Staff share offices and currently conduct confidential
interviews in the presence of others.
- Files, supplies and office equipment are unavoidably
located in hallways and utility rooms where they pose
security, fire, and safety hazards, and are not readily
accessible.
- Overcrowding and the resulting noise level distracts
employees and clients, and lowers productivity and morale.
0 2.12 - 1

0 The present building was erected nearly sixty-five years
ago. It was the nurses' dormitory for the old James Walker
Memorial Hospital. For its present use, it is unsuitable because
of numerous structural problems which are indicated below:
Structural Deficiencies
- No access provisions for handicapped, elderly, and children.
Present heating, air-conditioning and plumbing facilities
are inadequate and need replacement.
Antiquated electrical wiring and limited electrical outlets
hamper the utilization of contemporary office equipment and
computer hardware.
- There is a shortage of parking facilities.
When the DSS moved to its present building in 1969, New
Hanover County had a population of 81,958 with 7,500 citizens
receiving services. By 1984, the County's population had grown
by 34% to 110,139, but DSS' client load had grown by 166% -- to
20,000 clients per year. To accommodate this increased need, 12
mobile office units are being leased at a total cost of $60,000
per year.
{� Various alternatives to construction of a new building have
U been considered, such as adaptive reuse of an existing building.
A satisfactory location would include reasonable proximity to
public health and mental health facilitites, courts, hospital,
and the downtown area. A possible new facility, to be built on a
South 16th Street site, was considered in a public referendum
held in October 1985. Voters of the County at that time declined
to approve a bond issue which would provide funds for a new
building.
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NEW HANOVER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF AGING
Programs operated by the Department of Aging serve
approximately 7,000 older adults in New Hanover County. Offices
for the Department are located in the Lucille-Shuffler Senior
Center on Carolina Beach Road. It was built as an elementary
school in 1924 and converted to this use in 1983.
The Shuffler Center building also serves as the principal
location for an ongoing program of activities which inform,
entertain, feed (or otherwise care for) approximately 3,000
people annually. The Department carries on smaller programs of
similar activities at five additional locations throughout the
County on a regular basis. These are:
(, Location Type of Building.
�.: Hillcrest Public Housing Recreation Facility
Nesbitt Court Public Housing Recreation Facility
Solomon Towers Public Housing Recreation Facility
Warner Temple,AME Zion Church Church Social Hall
St.Paul's United Meth.Church Church Social Hall
The primary Department of Aging programs are listed below:
DEPARTMENT OF AGING PROGRAMS
Program Purpose Clientele Size
1. Nutrition:
a. Congregate Sites - Provides a main meal daily at
6 central locations in County. 290/day
b. Home -Delivered - Daily main meal brought to
shutins by volunteer drivers
from central site kitchens. 150/day
2. Case Management Visiting social worker to help
infirm clients assess their
total needs and locate services
which are available to meet
these needs. 150/year
3. Transportation:
a. "The Van" -
r� b. "Escort" -
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Transports groups on regularly
scheduled basis for shopping,
field trips, and other purposes.
Transportation for infirm to
medical appointments (provided
by volunteers)
Varies
Varies
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DEPARTMENT OF AGING PROGRAMS (CONTINUED)
Program Purpose Clientele Size
c. DART - Transportation for handicapped
in specially equipped vehicles,
(� arranged 24 hours in advance. Varies
u 4. RSVP Retired Senior Citizen Volunteer*
Program provides help to local
non-profit organizations. 500/year
5. VITA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
provides training to volunteers
who assist others in completing
their tax forms. Varies
6. Job Bank Helps those who need jobs to -find
them, and helps improve job -search
skills such as updating resumes. Varies
7. Senior Center Multipurpose gathering -place
used for crafts classes, social
and cultural events, educational
lectures and seminars, health
maintenance clinics. 3,000/year
Personnel: The Department of Aging employs 8 people full-time,
and 5 people part-time. Volunteers serve as an extension of
paid staff.' It potentially serves all citizens of the County
who are sixty years old or more.
Recommendations: The Shuffler Center has adequate space for
present personnel and programs. Further expansion of the
(� Department's programs may be needed in the future, as a projected
u larger proportion of the population lives past age 60 years, and
an expected increase occurs in the number of retirees who come to
New Hanover County to enjoy its mild climate and other
advantages
Some renovations to the dilapidated school building,
including a new heating system, were accomplished before the
Department moved into this building in 1983. However, the
building is old, and it will continue to require constant
maintenance. Roof repairs and repair of the water -damaged
j� auditorium floor were made necesary by Hurricane Diana in 1985.
(� New paving for the parking lot, as well as new landscaping, were
also provided in 1985.
A group of senior citizens on Pleasure Island who have been
meeting at St.Paul's United Methodist Church are raising funds to
build their own Senior Center building. Ground was broken for
the new structure in February, 1986, with completion expected in
mid -summer 1986.
0 2.12 - 4

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF WILMINGTON
The Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington owns and
manages public housing developments which provide safe and
sanitary housing to low and moderate income families. Rent is
based on income and family composition, at the rate of 30 percent
of adjusted family income. Approximately 5,500 people live in
the conventional public housing units. In addition, there are
1,530 people residing in the Section 8 housing units administered
by the Authority. The Housing Authority therefore serves a total
of approximately 7,030 people. Funding for the Housing Authority
comes from the rent charged to residents and from a subsidy from
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Individual developments owned and operated by the authority
are:
NAME LOCATION UNITS AGE(YRS) CONDITION
Nesbitt Courts* S. 2nd St. 261* 45 Needs renov.
Taylor Homes* N. 5th Ave. 275* 45 Needs renov.
Jervay Place Dawson St. 250 35 Needs renov.
Houston Moore S. 13th St. 150 32 Needs renov.
Hillcrest* Meares St. 256* 43 Renov.1984-85
Solomon Towers Castle St. 151 13
Creekwood South Emory St. 191 14
Rankin Terrace N. llth St. 80 14
Vesta Village S. 13th St. 43 14
Creekwood North** Carnegie Dr. 148**
* Location of additional 20-year-old buildings which are
classified as an "Elderly Annex." These units are included in the
overall total.
** Originally consisting of 200 units; 52 units have been sold
(? (as of 12-23-85) as part of a Homeownership Development program.
Housing Authority Special Programs
The Housing Authority, in conjunction with the City Parks
and Recreation Department, provides recreation programs at
neighborhood centers in nine developments. Space is provided at
Rankin Terrace for the County Health Department staff to conduct
a free clinic five days per week for primary health care. Lunch
programs for Senior Citizens are provided five days per week at
Hillcrest, Nesbitt Courts, and Solomon Towers, through a joint
effort between the Housing Department and the Department of
Aging. The Authority also provides space for Adult Basic
Education classes which are taught at six developments. Cape
Fear Technical Institute provides teachers and materials for
j� these classes as well as craft and sewing classes.
t�
2.12 - 5

I
U
Programs of Other Agencies for Housing Authority Residents
The Housing Authority employs a counseling staff to work
with agencies in the community to provide programs and assistance
to residents on all developments. Some agencies providing
programs and assistance are:
Department of Social Services
Salvation Army
Cape Fear Gospel Rescue Mission
Southeastern Mental Health
Health Department
Family Services
Traveler's Aid
Social Security Administration
Wilmington.Babtist Association
Women's Resource Center
Cape Fear Substance Abuse
Wilmington Police Department
UNCW
Wilmington Fire Department
County Extension Service
New Hanover Public Library
Volunteer Action Center
Employment Security Commission
Food Stamp recertification is held once per month and chore
workers are provided by the County Department of Social Services
(DSS). DSS also distributes cheese and butter on each site. The
mobile van from the County Library visits some developments. A
Day Care Center is available at Creekwood North. Recreation
Directors provide recreational programs at ten developments.
Additional programs are outlined below:
PROGRAM
Budgeting
Nutrition
Cultural Programs
Crafts
Basic Education
Sewing
Housing Authority Vehicles
AGENCY
County Extension Service
County Extension Service
Wilmington Community Arts Center
Cape Fear Technical Institute
Cape Fear Technical Institute
Cape Fear Technical Institute
These vehicles are owned and operated by the Housing
Authority:
TYPE
Trucks: (1/2 ton)
Truck: (3/4 ton)
Truck: .(1 1/2 ton)
Vans: (1/2 ton)
Vans: (3/4 ton)
Van: (1 1/2 ton)
Vans: (Passenger)
Bus: (Passenger)
Automobiles (sedans)
Automobiles (station wagons)
CONDITION
NUMBER
good -poor
5
fair
1
new
1
good -poor
4
good,
2
good
1
good
2
fair
1
good
2
good/poor
2
Two Housing Authority vans are used to transport elderly
residents for grocery shopping. These vehicles are also used to
take children to programs and on field trips.
{-� 2.12 - 6 .

�.�,, Wilmington -New Hanover County
,.
,Community Facilities Study.
L-7 j HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
l�
SOCIAL SERVICES:
lO Department of Social Service
+ O Department of Aginq
/ Er
Wilmington Housing Authority
Approtlwt. Any
j IhR Ikue A~
. O Nesbitt Courts Development
Taylor Homes Development
/„ervay ?lace Development
M Qom• J �? .; `
Houston Moore Development
0 Hillcrest
0 Solomon Towers
c iJ-•_., r/ T \ . ��Q 10 Creekwood South
Rankin Terrace
Lo /' I /; r /`---_ e - , i• _ + 12 Vesta Village
13 Creekwood North Development
y,
3 i'i �'= O ;'ram 14 Cape Fear Hotel Apartments
��,'� `J � CJ ''v _ � � - �' � � � �� �"��—, j� � �•. •O HEALTH SERVICES:
Health Department
� \; L ' /, � �/ ) � dim �- J� i�r � � i T '1 Animal Control Facility i
rrPT's 17 New Hanover Memorial Hospital
/n 1.1,` al.• i;I�' r;- 1�..+', — 1 `` 18 Cape Fear Memorial Hospital �t
- rl i• h ,> . \\.`.3132 C"f �Qi rho--• - ��_ 1 =5 _--f�� a I 19 Lower CaDe Fear HosDi ce _ nt
EFJ
�� yr • �1� �� �_' �� -- ~� ��C�Ce-CCU®©0�� g !BCLC �\ �1 !20 Life Center of Wilmington
�Iliqq'El0000©CF ✓� t � �21 Southeastern Mental Health Center
_cca©cccccc
! '�=�*�� ' �%� C`� 22 Cape Fear Substance Abuse Center
.DCCmr��`EEOG�OCC 100 �;�� � 1 j �.� � '�
i ��' '' ••r� j--, 1—1 ,/• ;� �' / f 23 Crisis Line-ODen House
rr--�dE Q����7mF�CrJ©C�C�Co �LCIL��C
�t^CtI�L�. J_ ❑ ©8❑ - �Q ❑ �� © �.C';• /'. �.�• •, �`\� la ,\'. i0
__�E�u�CIMO � ❑o�d�©��mdc�c��e��� ,
�- - --. ;�lk- 11MOD ®C DOmC1CCG�OCCIC��B���t� _ v�'�, �� _ vt
s %\ (]r ' _...... /�
�m C 0OCm®OC{n� .CO�d�
�j r''
Y/t.•�. QEQ
Qy' ��kIrT
WILMINGTON URBAN AREA MAP- —� i ,r ~�Z`� Y r'':i !• -',�'„� �7i---ir-,� _ 1', L-�
REVISED AWRY N85 •' ' '- -
LL�llj �

C
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u

PARKS AND RECREATION
CITY OF WILMINGTON
Within the City, public land utilized either as city parks,
neighborhood playgrounds, "tot -lots," or recreation centers is
�. maintained by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Also under
the care of the Department are the median strips along the
boulevards - locally known as "plazas" -- plus numerous publicly
owned islands in cul-de-sacs and at street intersections.
The Department has the additional responsibility for
planting and maintaining street trees and other vegetation within
1� these areas. Trees within City rights -of -ways cannot be trimmed.
LJ or removed without a Parks Division permit. The Parks Division
will also clean overgrown vacant lots after 30-days' notice, and
bill the cost to the owner. Firewood is sold behind the
Department's administration building, near the intersection of
South 3rd and Front Streets, opposite Greenfield Gardens.
Originally a private home, the Department's small wooden
administration building is barely adequate for its present
purpose. A small parking area and two fenced areas are adjacent
to this building. The two fenced areas contain a
a - supplies/equipment warehouse, an equipment storage space, and a
shop building.
Moving the Parks and Recreation Department's headquarters to
a new location, in a former City Fire Department station at Third
and Willard Streets, is currently being considered as a means of
alleviating the Department's space problems.
`-' CITY OF WILMINGTON PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
(j Facility Size (acres) Description
Major Parks:
Greenfield Park 200 4.5-mile scenic drive &
jogging/bicycle
path around cypress swamp with
azaleas; canoe,paddle-boat,bicycle
rentals; amphitheater; Fragrance
Garden; life & nature trails;
( picnic, play areas; tennis courts;
�j concession, restroom facilities.
Riverfront Park -0.5 Approximately 330 feet along Cape
Fear River with benches, fountain,
performance area.
Municipal Golf Course 130 18-hole championship public course
with club house on Wallace Avenue.
(Managed independently of
Department of Parks & Recreation.)
2.13 - 1

CITY OF WILMINGTON PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS (continued)
Facility Size (acres) Description
District Parks:
Maids Park 15 Recreation center; basketball,
Robert Strange Park
Virginia Empie Park
Legion Stadium
Neighborhood Parks
Innis Park
Optimist Park
Cameron Park
Godwin Field Stadium
Hilton Park
Love Grove Park
Northside Park
Bijou Park
tennis courts; athletic field;
playground, picnic areas; parking,
restroom facilities.
15 Recreation center; swimming pool;
basketball, tennis courts; athletic
field; playground, picnic areas;
parking, restroom facilities.
33 Lighted basketball, tennis courts;
athletic field; playground, picnic
areas; parking, restroom
facilities.
25 Swimming pool, lighted tennis
courts; major athletic stadium
complex; parking, toilet
facilities.
0.5
Garden park with benches.
5
Lighted Little League field with
bleachers, playfield, parking,
concession stand.
3
Playfield with ballfield, tennis
courts, picnic and play areas.
6
Playfield with lighted ballfield
and bleachers; field house,
concession stand, restrooms.
3
Passive area with parking; 300-year
old live oak which is lighted at
Christmastime ("World's Largest
Christmas Tree").
3
Playfield with ballfield,.
basketball court, picnic area.
.15
Swimming pool, tennis court, play
and picnic areas.
0.5
Landscaped area.
2.13 - 2

CITY OF WILMINGTON PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS (continued)
Facility
Size
(acres) Description
Neighborhood Parks
(continued):
Mary Bridger Park
3
Green area.
Bullock Park
4
Gardens.
Wallace Park
12
Playfield with ballfield,
basketball court, play and picnic
areas.
Thomas B. Lilly Park 1
Landscaped garden.
Beaumont Park
3
Basketball court and play area.
Triangle Park
0.5
Tot lot play area.
Hawthorne Road
0.5
Green area.
Kennedy Park
1
Basketball court and play area.
Mothers Park
1
Play area.
Rankin Street Park
2
Ballfield, lighted basketball and
tennis courts, play and picnic
areas.
Hanover Heights
0.5
Horseshoe pit and play area.
Sunset Park
0.5
Play area.
Nunalee Park
2
Passive and picnic areas.
Hemenway Park
1
Basketball court, play and picnic
areas.
Tower Park
2
Passive area.
Wilmington's park and recreation land presently.totals over
491 acres. This is an increase of 590 over the 290 acres of
recreation land which the City possessed 20 years ago. In the
same period the number of people employed by the Department of
Parks and Recreation has'more than doubled, growing from 55
people to 135. Of these, the Parks Division presently employs a
force of 69, and the Recreation Division has 61 people.
The Recreation Division operates nine recreation centers
independent of the parks. These are scattered throughout the
older parts of the City. Five are associated with housing
projects at Nesbitt Court, Houston Moore Terrace, R. Taylor
Homes, Jervay Place, and Hillcrest. Four other and larger
recreation centers are also managed by the Recreation Division.
2.13 - 3

7
Among these, the Community Arts Center is located in a frame
building that was erected as the World War II USO center to
entertain servicemen located in the area. Replacement of this
(� building has been sought for a number of years. A complete list
�j of these facilities follows:
CITY OF WILMINGTON RECREATION CENTERS
Facility Size (sq.ft.) Description
Nesbitt Court 1,442 Small neighborhood center.
Houston Moore Terrace 739 Small neighborhood center.
Hillcrest 1,008 Small neighborhood center.
R. Taylor Homes 4,500 Gym, lounge, playground.
Jervay Place 4,000 Game, craft rooms, playground.
Community Arts Center 18,902 2-story building with offices,
meeting rooms, workshops,
recreation/performance hall,
lobby display area.
Boxing/Physical 6,234 ' Gymnasium and exercise rooms.
Fitness Center
Martin Luther King Center 22,650 Meeting rooms, gym, playfields.
Davis Center 3,369 Meeting rooms., game room.
It should be noted that Wilmington has many well -developed
parks and active recreation facilities, but few public reserves
of open land for passive recreation. This was pointed out in the
Wilmington, North Carolina, A Community Facilities Study
completed 20 years ago. It is still true today that a shortage
of open space exists in the more densely populated areas of the
older sections of the City. A general absence of publicly owned
open space can be noted in recently annexed areas, except for the
inclusion of the County's Hugh MacRae Park and Wilmington's
Municipal Golf Course within the new City Limits.
Comprehensive planning is underway, however, for 1,500 acres
of recently annexed land, largely vacant, which lies south of
Shipyard Boulevard between South College Road and Carolina Beach
Road. Provision for recreation facilities will be integrated
into plans for housing and commercial development made accessible
by a limited -access extension of South Seventeenth Street to
South College Road.
2.13 - 4

NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS
New Hanover County Parks and Recreation Department presently
operates or is planning 15 parks_ and beach access areas. These
include:
Facility Size (acres) Description
Hugh MacRae Park 1 98 Ball fields, tennis courts,
Blair -Noble Park
Snow's Cut Park
Arrowhead Park
Cape Fear Park
32
24
21
11
Parkwood Recreation Area 7
Trask Park
Riverside Park
Location
Fort Fisher
(with State)
Ocean Blvd. and
US Hywy 421S
Alabama Av. and
US Hywy 421S
Tennessee Av. and
US Hywy 421S
7
4
horse ring, picnic and play
areas, concession stand
(seasonal) and rest rooms.
Lighted ballfields and tennis
courts, multipurpose court,
concession stand (seasonal)
and rest rooms.
Picnic areas, rest rooms.
Ballfield, tennis courts,
nature trail, picnic shelter
and play areas.
Lighted ball fields, concession
stand (seasonal) and rest rooms.
Playing field, multipurpose
court, picnic and play areas.
Softball fields, concession
stand (seasonal) and restrooms.
Community center, picnic area,
fishing pier.
BEACH ACCESS AREAS
Size (acres) Description
15 200 parking spaces, picnic area,
restrooms, outdoor showers,
handicapped access and
concession stand (seasonal).
0.3 15-20 parking spaces, dune
crossover.
0.3 15-20 parking spaces, dune
crossover.
0.3 15-20 parking spaces, dune
crossover.
2.13 - 5

I
LCounty and State Recreation Planning
It is anticipated that a master plan for parks in the County
will be performed in the next several years. Potential park
needs and potential sites are being examined near King's Grant,
off N.C. Hywy 132N, and near Chair Road off N.C. Hywy 117.
Additional land next to Trask Park is also sought to create a
regional park. The County is presently nearing completion of a
water access inventory and plan for the County.
The State also has several significant park and,recreation
sites, all.located in the southern part of the County. The State
operates Carolina Beach State Park, which includes nature trails,
camping facilities, along with boat access and marina facilities
on the Cape Fear River. The North Carolina Marine Resources
Center operates a large building featuring exhibits and
classroom/laboratory facilities, and maintains several nature
a trails. The Fort Fisher Civil War Museum also provides learning
opportunities. New Hanover County also has two components of the
National Estuarine Sanctuary Program: Zeke's Island, closely
associated with the North Carolina Marine Resources Center, is
already part of the system; Masonboro Island is in the process
of being acquired for inclusion in the program.
I
III
0
I
0
I
L
2.13 - 6

a _ -
�� - ilmin ton -New Hanover County.R R
W _g _ -
Community Facilities 'Study
PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS 3
1 \ j ' ter•.+
COUN17-y i
BRUNSWICK
<
' = 4_ , •' -- � „ J Cis - , - �]�.� ,=�• t � - � 3 •'. r ' � p b yrr�-
01
Jr4 If
./V
Major. Parks and Recreation Areas
CITY COUNTY STATE �'• �;moo -. r 's
-
�C
01 Greenfield Park ® Hugh MacRae Park Q Fort Fisher.
0 Ri verfront Park Blair -Noble Park
Q North Carolina Marine Resources Center _ �► 2 ® - "
03 Municipal Golf Course ® Snow's Cut Park 0 - Carolina Beach State Park
[] Zeke's Island -Estuarine Sanctuary
•® Meids Park ® Arrowhead Park. - 0
50 Proposed masonboro-,Island Estuarine Sanctuary N
Q Robert Strange Park ® Cape Fear -Park C =, --
© Virginia Empie Parkwoods Recreation Area
. 07 Legion Stadium ® Trask Park )OC BEACH ACCESS �� • �SCALE :"wEs
® Community Arts Center ® Riverside Park �.

CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS

CULTURAL FACILITIES
NEW HANOVER COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
New Hanover County presently maintains several libraries -for
County residents. The main library, formerly the Wilmington
Public Library, is located at 201 Chestnut Street in a building
which formerly housed a department store and encompasses 46,000
square feet.
The Library catalogues 169,000 bound volumes, 17,000
paperbacks, and several thousand records and tapes.
Subscriptions are maintained for approximately 300 magazines and
newspapers. A strong business collection and extensive materials
on local history and geneology are also available for public use.
Two meeting rooms on the second floor are frequently used
for lectures, films and organization meetings.
County records are maintained in the main library's
basement. In the future, the microfilm center for county records
may be located there.
a
Branch Libraries
1. College Square Shopping Center - Serves the eastern side
of the County. It contains approximately 10,000 volumes of
a the library's collection.
2. Cape Fear Boulevard in Carolina Beach - With
approximately 6,000 volumes, it serves residents of the
southern part of the County.
�1 3. Law Library - Located in the new County Judicial
u Building, this collection of.5 - 7,000 volumes records
legislation and court cases.
4. Bookmobile and Outreach Van - Operating on a regular
schedule of visits to institutions and Housing
Authority centers, these mobile libraries further
extend services provided by the New Hanover County
library system.
Future Plans
The County Library plans to automate its circulation system,
including the tracking, inventory, and loaning of volumes. It is
also looking towards expansion of its audio-visual department,
which presently includes personal computers, video -cassette
recorders, record players and projectors for public use by non-
profit groups. Additional long-range library needs include
possible establishment of branch libraries in the northern and
�l southern parts of the county, and at Wrightsville Beach.
L.J

I
NEW HANOVER COUNTY MUSEUM
The New Hanover County Museum of the Lower Cape Fear was
Qestablished in 1898 by the Daughters of the Confederacy to
collect and preserve relics and memories of the War Between the
States. The Museum's current purpose is to make available to the
public the history, natural history, and culture of the Lower
Cape Fear Area. Its interpretive exhibits utilize tangible
materials collected, preserved, and researched by the Museum.
{� An artifact collection of nearly 11,000 objects forms the
u core of the exhibits and programs. The New Hanover County Museum
of the Lower Cape Fear will also use other materials provided
through loans and traveling exhibits.
Approximately 58,000 visitors annually see its permanent and
special exhibits, attend special programs both indoors and out,
and accompany field trips which the Museum sponsors. In
(� addition, it provides special programs and resources which are
made available to school classes and other groups.
Since 1970, the Museum has been housed in a former armory on
Market Street built by the WPA. The unencumbered interior spaces
offer advantages for exhibits and programs. However, there are
several disadvantages:
1.. The Museum's collections, program and attendance have
outgrown the Armory. Most artifacts are stored,
because exhibit space is severely limited. (Only about
40 of the collection is on exhibit at any given time.)
Storage of unexhibited artifacts has had to expand to
three other buildings, one of which is rented.
2. The Armory building itself has suffered from water
intrusion due to improperly repointed brickwork.
a Water penetrates and runs down the walls during even
modest storms.
3. The location of the Armory and the amount of
surrounding land limit outdoor programs and the
expansion of the facility. Also this site's distance
from the River and the downtown Historic District
(almost one mile) separates the Museum from prevailing
tourist traffic flow to other historic and cultural
attractions.
Future Plans for the Museum
(� The County Commissioners have appointed a building committee
t� which is seeking a suitable site, one which will accomodate the
Museum, parking, outdoor programming and exhibit space, and
future expansion. The most desireable site would have direct
G access to the Cape Fear River, so that its history could be more
directly interpreted. Reuse of an existing historic building on
the waterfront may be considered for relocating the Museum.
2.14 - 2
u

a
0 THALIAN HALL
Thalian Hall is a City -owned facility which forms the east
wing of City Hall (see discussion of Wilmington City Hall, pp.
a 2.15-2, 3). Built in 1853 as part of a municipal and cultural
building, and opened in 1858, it is one of the nation's oldest
legitimate theaters, and is the only surviving theater designed
by noted architect John Montague Trimble. Unique architecture
and antique furnishings enhance this asset to Wilmington's
cultural life. It attracts the interst of tourists, and is the
point of origin for the Historic Wilmington Foundation's.daily
n tours of historic buildings.
u The theater is managed by the Thalian Hall Commission, an
organization dedicated to its.preservation as a center for the
performing arts. Each year Thalian Hall is used by more than 25
area organizations which present a wide range of activities on
its stage. These include plays, musicals and operas, concerts,
recitals, meetings, films.and lectures. Performance
n opportunities are provided for local talent, both professional
�j and amateur, and nationally -known artists.
The Hall seats 540 people in its orchestra, boxes and
a balcony sections. The stage is 32 feet wide (procenium opening),
and has a depth of 30 feet. Accoustics are good for the entire
theater.
aTheater Renovation Planned
Backstage facilities and rest rooms are antiquated, however,
and increased usage and inevitable deterioration have created the
need for renovation and upgrading of the tecnical installations
of the theater. A bond issue to make these needed improvements
possible was authorized by the electorate in March, 1985. The
project will include renovation of the basement, backstage, and
first and second balconies of the theater, construction of an
addition on the north side of the building to provide entrance,
a lobby, restroom, office, rehearsl and storage space, as well as
enlargement of the City Council meeting room (in City Hall_), and
parking lot improvement to serve the entire building.
�] Thalian Hall is available for rental by organizations and
U individuals for legitimate performances, meetings, lectures, and
films. The Executive Director of the Thalian Hall Commission
arranges all bookings. These are presently being made -only
through August, 1987, in anticipation of the theater being closed
temporarily for renovation after September 1, 1987.
1,
l.�
2.14 - 3
u

0
aST. JOHN'S MUSEUM OF ART
Located at the corner of Second and Orange Streets, the St.
John's Museum of Art, a non-profit educational and cultural
institution, is open to the public admission -free. It is housed
in three buildings which surround a common courtyard. The
largest of these is the Samuel H. Hughes Gallery, the former St.
Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. The building adjacent to this
structure on Orange Street was the home of St. John's Lodge No.l,
the oldest Masonic lodge in North Carolina. It was constructed
in 1804-1805. On the other side of the Hughes Gallery, facing
Second Street, the Burch -Cowan House Studios completes the
�j Museum's cluster of buildings.
Renovations Underway
a Until 1982 this institution was known as the St. John's Art
Gallery, and it operated for eighteen years in the old Masonic
Lodge, well-known for its mural of Masonic symbols. In 1980, the
museum moved into the adjacent former church building and the
Burch -Cowan House. These had been acquired in 1979, then
extensively renovated to provide larger display and program
spaces. The lodge building was closed to the public, and is now
being repaired and renovated
Once the programmed repairs and improvements to the Lodge
are completed, it will display the Museum's permanent collection,
aand will house an arts library, the Museum Shop, and
administrative offices. The entire Hughes Gallery will then be
available for display of temporary exhibitions and educational
a programs, as well as for preparation and storage of materials.
The courtyard common to the group of buildings will be further
developed with walkways, perimeter walls, verandah, terrace,
landscaping and a sculpture garden. This will be used for
expanded art instruction, sculpture exhibits, concerts and
performances.
School Outreach Programs
The Museum presently works with the New Hanover County 5th
and 6th graders through its school outreach programs. However,
a the museum staff regards these outreach programs only as a
beginning. The Museum's education department has already become
involved in the earliest planning phase for the State
legislature -mandated program of arts education for grades K-12.
This includes the visual arts, as well as theater, music and
dance. Programs in the visual arts will range from instruction
Q in the basic elements and design principles to drawing, painting,
printmaking and sculpture. When the current renovations are
completed and all spaces are in use, the Museum's facilities will
adequately accommodate its projected program for the foreseeable
future.
U
2.14 - 4
u

Wilmington -New Hanover -County
Community- Facilities Study.
LOCATION OF CULTURAL FACILITIESfig
�`�"°�•�
I
ICSC
_ 4 i` -s
�- Ruty p
_ 3 1
(( - a «• __.. ,., vet o _ '` f., � ,
as
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=` � 0 Q: •ter. / _ -. -. - � i .:r.� �-` - � 3 ,. - - - •r�oy �- � -
OV
LIBRARIES THEATERS & STADIUMS
New Hanover County Libraries: 10 Thalian Hall i 1., i = o �.�- -� �•
lO Main library Building. 11 Kenan Auditorium 46,
12 Greenfield Park Amphitheater
2O College Square Branch
L D Carolina Beach Branch 13 Community Arts Center _ ��� •�s,� /•
3 /•
4O Law Library (Judicial Bldg:) 14 Legion Field Stadium - `�.,
Os Kenan Library, UNCW is Trask Coliseum
u MUSEUMS � •oy � f
® New Hanover County -
© Civil War Museum (N.C.)
® St. John's Museum of Art C : _ �'— N —�
Gr _
® Ft. Fisher Marine Resources Center Aquarium ``�► scare uawrs

ADMINISTRATION AND JUDICIARY

0
ADMINISTRATION AND JUDICIARY
NEW HANOVER COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
Located at the corner of Fourth and Chestnut Streets, the
County Administration Building contains the meeting room for the
New Hanover Board of County Commissioners, and offices for the
County Manager, Clerk to the Commissioners, Tax Assessor and Tax
Records, County Planning Department, Human Relations Commission,
Personnel Department, Finance Office, Management Information
Center, and Property Management.
This brick building is 36 years old, and in good condition.
a It was formerly owned by the Carolina Power and Light Company,
and was principally used for company offices, with a bank renting
space on the first floor.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY ADMINISTRATION ANNEX
The New Hanover County Building Inspector's office and the
Engineering Department are housed in a brick annex to the
Administration Building, located on the corner of Fifth and
Chestnut Streets. The County Print Shop, as well as offices for
Property Management and the Parks and Recreation Department are
(� also found in the Annex.
�j After an extensive program of renovations in 1984, the
building is in good condition. At that time a new roof was put
on, new heating and air conditioning equipment was installed, and
interior partitions were changed to improve the efficiency of the
room arrangement.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY GARAGE AND STORAGE FACILITIES
D
County -owned vehicles and equipment are serviced and stored
Q in a brick building which is located on Hewlett Drive, close to
the New Hanover County Airport buildings. It was contructed in
recent years, and is considered to be in good condition and
suitable for its function.
An adjacent metal storage building serves the needs of the
departments of Parks and Recreation, Property Management,
Building Inspection, and Planning. It is also considered to be
n in good condition and adequate for its purpose.
u New Hanover County has also recently (1986) completed
construction of a new storage and maintenance building at 220
Division Drive. It will serve the needs of the Maintenance and
Engineering Department.
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WILMINGTON CITY HALL
City Hall was designed by John M. Trimble, reknowned New
York architect, in 1854. It forms the west wing of an
Italianate/Classical Revival -style municipal and cultural center
on the corner of Third and Princess Streets. Construction was
completed in 1858. At that time, the City had a population of
five thousand people, was a thriving seaport, and was the largest
city in North Carolina.
The Council Chamber, which seats approximately 100 people,
is still used for most meetings of City Council, as well as
meetings of other boards and commissions. Offices for the Mayor,
City Manager, City Clerk and City Attorney fill the remaining
space on the first floor. The City Engineering Department, as
well as offices for Environmental Services, Purchasing, and
Public Works, are located on the second floor. The Finance
Department and a centralized Print Shop occupy most of the
basement. A ballroom on the third floor is at present unused.
Major reconstruction for this old building was last
accomplished in 1940, and need for further renovation has become
apparent in recent years. Inevitable deterioration over time has
occurred, and the size of the City Council Chamber has been found
insufficient to accommodate the number of people who wish to
attend public meetings. The few restrooms which exist are small
and antiquated. In addition, upgraded performance facilities for
the Thalian Hall wing of the building have become necessary (see
entry for THALIAN HALL, p 2.13 - 3). Therefore, in March 1985,
City voters authorized borrowing of funds for a capital
improvements program which would also include renovation and
modernization of City Hall. This work is expected to begin in
the fall of 1987.
WILMINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY BUILDING
(WILMINGTON CITY HALL ANNEX)
Variously known as the Wilmington Light Infantry Armory, the
old Wilmington Public Library building, or the John A. Taylor
House, the structure at 409 Market Street now functions as an
annex for City Hall. Offices for City departments of Planning &
Development, Personnel, Information Services, and Management
Services are presently located in this building.
The Classical Revival south wing was originally constructed
(� as a residence circa 1847. It remained in this use until 1892,
lJ when it was purchased by the Wilmington Light Infantry. Cannon
were placed atop the roof parapet and in front of the building
rl during years 1892-1951, while it was being used as an armory by
u this organization. In 1951, the Wilmington Light Infantry deeded
U2.15 - 2

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the building to the City for use as a public library. The group
Q retained use of the basement level of the original building for a
meeting room.
The City undertook substanial renovations to the building,
adding the rear wing. These were completed in 1956. A new
roof was added in 1974.
In 1981, the Wilmington City Library was combined with the
County Library System. At that time it moved into its present
structure, at Second and Chestnut Streets (see NEW HANOVER COUNTY
LIBRARY, p. 2.13 - 1) The WLI Building stood vacant until 1983,
when other City functions began to utilize its spaces.
For present uses, some structural change has again been
a, necessary. A mezzanine floor in the rear wing, built to
accomodate the library stack shelves, has been partitioned for
office space, and secure, air conditioned rooms have been built on
the basement level to house the City computers. One of these
machines is jointly owned with the County. It will run the MAPS
program, to make land use records and maps available to both City
(� and County agencies.
U At this time, this building still needs further renovation.
Moisture penetrates the walls, and the heating/air conditioning
Q system is antiquated and inefficient.
The Wilmington Light Infantry continues to gather in their
facility behind the front steps, which includes a meeting room,
kitchen and rest rooms.
WILMINGTON CITY GARAGE
A City service complex is located on both sides of Fanning
Q Street, between Anderson and North Tenth Streets. Here can be
found the operations centers for the Streets, Sanitation, Water
and Sewers Divisions, as well as the City Garage and the
warehouse for the City/County Purchasing Department. The
(� principal buildings are these:
1. City Garage: Built in 1939 as a WPA civic improvement project,
this building is contructed of cut granite paving stones,
and has a "bow -string" roof. The structure is sound, and
continues to meet the growing demand for this service. The
r-, attached building for painting autos, trucks, and equipment,
uadded approximately ten years ago, is the largest such
facility in the City.
U 2. Water and Sewer Building Constructed of concrete block,
U trussed diagonally, and with a "bow -string" roof, this
building is in poor condition. Lack of funds has prevented
aits replacement.
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3. Purchasing Department Warehouse: This steel quonset but -type
building serves as the depot for equipment and supplies
bought in bulk under State contract for the use of the City
and New Hanover County. Other County municipalities also
buy supplies here. The structure itself is adequate for its
purpose, but only a limited amount of parking is available.
4. Carpentry Shop: This wooden structure, belonging to
the Public Buildings Department, is too small and too
antiquated to be efficient.
5. Azalea Festival Storage Building: A special building which
stores reviewing stand components which are used each spring
for this festival.
6. Temporary Office Trailers: Four trailers which serve as
operations centers and offices for these departments:
Streets Water and Sewers
Public Buildings Sanitation
7. Traffic Division Paint and Equipment Storage Building: A
building which formerly housed a dog pound (and has a
consequent chron� flea problem), is one of a number of
small wooden buildings and sheds which store equipment and
supplies for various divisions in city government.
Future Planning
In 1976, the need for an improved City Service Center was
recognized. Funding was allocated, and a consultant (SUA, Inc.,
Facilities' Analyses, Planning and Design) was employed to
develop plans. However, people living in the adjacent
residential area objected to the permanent location of such a
facility here. The project was delayed, pending further
planning, and money which had been already allocated for the
project was redistributed.
TRAFFIC ENGINEERING BUILDING
Located at Seventeenth and Dock Streets, this old fire
station has housed the operations of the Traffic Engineering
Department for approximately 12 years. All of the street signs
are manufactured here, though some equipment is stored at the
r} Fanning Street service complex.
U This facility is only minimally adequate for its function.
Parking is limited, even for City vehicles.
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NEW HANOVER COUNTY JUDICIAL BUILDING
The New Hanover County Judicial Building, located at
Princess and Fourth Streets, was opened in 1983 to house
functions formerly located in the old (1892) New Hanover County
Court House on Third Street and the Courthouse Annex (1924). The
new judicial building is a wing of the courthouse annex. The
annex was completely renovated and reopened in 1984.
In addition to eight Court Rooms and offices for resident
judges and their staffs, this facility has offices for the.County
Registrar of Deeds, Sheriff's Department Court Bailiffs, District
Attorney, Clerk of Superior Court, Juvenile Court Services, and
the Department of Corrections. The New Hanover County Law Library
is also located here.
Because of the high quality of the new Judicial Building and
renovated Courthouse Annex, courtroom facilities are often used.
by the United States Government and the State of North Carolina
for court and commission hearings. The Grand Jury Room is
utilized for small hearings and dispositions. The largest of the
courtrooms, District Court Room #317, holds approximately 350
people. At times it is also used for city and county public
meetingsother than court proceedings. The Clerk of Superior Court
schedules day use of any part of the judicial buildings. Evening
uses are arranged by the County Commissioners' office.
Even though new, the Judicial Building is already fully
utilized, and more space is sought for agencies which support
court functions. The old Court House, presently vacant, will
fill this need after current renovations are completed. It has
been designated as a National Historical Landmark, therefore
funds from the N.C. Department of Archives and History have
helped pay for a new roof and renovation of its Court Room. New
heating/air conditioning equipment is on order, and a general
refurbishing is planned.
The State pays the County a Facility Fee for every court
case which is handled by this facility. Cases for Superior
Court, District Court, and Juvenile Court are regularly heard
here. The following court rooms are designed for specific uses:.
COURT ROOMS
Type
Number
Superior Court
3
District Court
4
Juvenile Court
1
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1 __ �' Wilmington -New Hanover County .
gl ) { • �A�� Il' ��
ll!_SS .� r-r�• J �, . •,, - ,Community Facilities Study
_ �,/, 1 • LOCATION OF
jJf.t_2( F F. �, r L ,, % GOVERNMENT SERVICES
71
Call by wuningtow
+ f 4. �,A.
0NEW Holum COLK" � - T � �' T (� � \ ' /// jai/ / � � r. _ t , • t
ir
.� G '�'� �/ i i •\� _ ` , :. /- _ �/ _ ,WSJ^�! <\/� - s•' • r
CITY
Nw
City Hall
Wilmington Light Infantry Building
Li
3O Traffic Engineering Building
�� / ; _ -- Qa ' /•' ° • S City -County Warehouse
`!/` a \�,.` � -� t -,�� `_ •l; �19� r� .� �' �i��,� � '�•�,, �. � � T + 5 City Garage
.',ti''� ; `., •'' :�� mmm �,�;', �` _ �, ' COUNTY
1 [ s�! l '`; +' %i�-�,' '�--•C /,��.,� -J = -� ti �� } Q Count Administration Building
LJ r' .�' `•�...,;L� C �C�-�� 3 (��mG�p�ir��C�L ry���J(— (1�( ^� County
(r• l y - �K' • .��' . .. C�m❑Li�U❑tom®❑❑L�l;, iG't JJL�—_:....71_• ' ._c�a - a ' { _
0 County Administration Annex
�,�,y :�\ :�❑t1!��❑ 0�❑0©���C❑----•••❑� {.•; \® Judicial BuildinG, Court House, and Annex
�mmc❑coo©❑❑ o❑ t
• , '�" �cC�c0BDCCcccc LCounty Garage and Storage Buildings
4 5 ,=�,�❑❑mt�' •��[�'�L_1�❑❑ [� �� J ).���,, ,/ ® County Maintenance Building
CIE) ODFIFEEM01:11
•�.r•�_'"t-?�••�(!JC.L`�❑ C� ❑B❑ ❑❑Q��❑ Q❑ © , j �) Ih�,.r;�r���,r.�\�J� STATE
{,"-JE�� = E3��m❑®❑ C D3 00 ©m�C7Cl C�I n--� „� \ N.C. Department of Transportation
"~ C ''�S..a'L ` t j
�-'�==�__ _ - w� '`•�mpj❑❑m m®❑❑m❑ ❑❑❑UGCAlt
+n ��.,-�\ : . _.� ;�.x
- :�'-.` •• �,[� ,..� � ''"�.t ,\.fli3.� .ram`.". ��.'4:,�y-m::.�„3(� ✓��—
(1 WIL.MINGTON URBAN AREA MAP_�•,:����i�'.�i-:;:rti.l
,a . r-e-�\ ! �• - 1 _ �• _ , I _ ,�... 't:t `� �y�._•. - . - _ 'fie.. _ - .... - .. J ' _.... ! . .
w0T[• i 1
R£V/SED MARCH .1lr I k,j ..... - ��•�:. I _ '-i-1
1 a 1 � -ter•• ��� • _- ~ -- - - �. � �- "__`� �-� '� - --- ' nc
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INDEX OF FACILITIES

INDEX OF FACILITIES
WILMINGTON - NEW HANOVER COUNTY COMMUNITY FACILITIES STUDY
FACILITY
Cape Fear Memorial Hospital
5301 Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington
Cape Fear Substance Abuse Center
801 Princess Street, Wilmington
Cape Fear Technical Institute
411 North Front Street, Wilmington
City of Wilmington Engineering Department
City Hall, 3rd & Princess Streets
Storm Drains
City of Wilmington Fire Department
20 South 4th Street, Wilmington
City of Wilmington Parks & Recreation Department
2149 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington
City of Wilmington Police Department
Red Cross & Front Streets
City of Wilmington Public Services Department:
Garage
901 Fanning Street, Wilmington
Public Buildings
901 Fanning Street, Wilmington
City Hall
Wilmington Light Infantry Building
Sanitation
802 North 10th Street
Streets
902 Fanning Street, Wilmington
Traffic Engineering
1702 Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington
Street Lights
City of Wilmington Public Utilities Department:
Water Treatment
North 4th Street, Wilmington
Wastewater Treatment
900 Fanning Street, Wilmington
Crisis Line - Open House
419 Chestnut Street, Wilmington
PAGE
2.11 - 4
2.11 - 7
2.9 4
2.4 - 1
2.1 - 1
2.13 - 1
2.2 - 1
2.15 - 3
2.15 - 3
2.15 - 2
2.15 - 2
2.6 - 1
2.7 -
1
2.15
- 4
2.8 -
1
2.5 -
1
2.3 -
1
2.11
- 7
3.1

INDEX OF FACILITIES
Life Center of Wilmington
2.11
- 5
2520 Troy Drive, Wilmington
Lower Cape Fear Hospice
2.11
- 5
5221 Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington
New Hanover County Department of Aging
2.12
- 3
2011 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington
New Hanover County Airport
2.10
- 4
Route 6, Box 49 (North 23rd Street), Wilmington
New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court
2.15
- 5
Judicial Building, Princess & 4th Streets, Wilmington
New Hanover County Department of Emergency Management:
County Rescue Squads:
2.1 -
4
County Volunteer Fire Departments:
2.1 -
2
New Hanover County Extension Service
2.9 -
3
6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington
New Hanover County Health Department
2.11
- 1
2029 South 17th Street, Wilmington
Animal Control Center
2.2 -
3
220 Division Drive, Wilmington
New Hanover County Library
2.14
- 1
201 Chestnut Street, Wilmington
New Hanover County Museum
2.14
- 2
814 Market Street, Wilmington
New Hanover County Parks.& Recreation Department
2.13
- 5
320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington
New Hanover County Property Management
2.15
- 1
320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington
New Hanover County Public Schools
2.9 -
1
1802 South 15th Street, Wilmington
New Hanover County Sewer System 2.3 - 2
County Engineering Department
414 Chestnut Street, Wilmington
New Hanover County Sheriff's Department 2.2 - 2
400 Princess Street, Wilmington
New Hanover County Department of Social Services 2.14 - 1
1020 Rankin Street, Wilmington
New Hanover County Steam Plant/Incinerator 2.6 - 2
U.S.Route 421
3.2

INDEX OF FACILITIES
New Hanover County Water System
County Engineering Department
414 Chestnut Street, Wilmington
New Hanover Memorial Hospital
2131 South 17th Street, Wilmington
North Carolina State Ports Authority
P.O.Box 9002,(Burnette Blvd.) Wilmington
St. John's Museum of Art
114 Orange Street, Wilmington
Seaboard System Railroad Company
P.O.Box 558, Leland, N.C. 28451
Southeastern Mental Health Center
2023 South 17th Street, Wilmington
Thalian Hall
305 Princess Street, Wilmington
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
60.1 South College Road, Wilmington
Wilmington Housing Authority
P.O.Drawer 899, Wilmington
Wilmington Municipal Golf Course
311 Wallace Avenue, Wilmington
Wilmington Transit Authority-
409 Market Street, Wilmington
Wilmington Union Bus Corporation
201 Harnett Street, Wilmington
2.5 - 2
2.11 - 4
2.10 - 3
2.14 - 4
2.10 - 2
2.11 - 6
2.14 - 3
2.9 - 6
2.12 - 5
2.13 - 1
2.10 - 1
2.10 - 2
3.3

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CHARLOTTE
GASTONIA
ROCK HILL
SAVANNAH
DCM COPY DCM COPY
lease do not remove!!!!!
Division of Coastal Management
WILMINGTON
ARLESTON
ACKSONVILLE I t O Y Y
WILMINGTON
STACKS
UP
A Comparison
With
Selected
Metropolitan
r
Areas
1986
CAMA LAND USE PLAN UPDATE
Report No. 6

CITY COUNCIL
William Schwartz, Mayor
Councilman Donald Betz, Mayor Pro Tem
Councilman E.A. Bordeaux
Councilman Irving Fogler
Councilman Luther Jordan
Councilman Tony.Pate
Councilman Robert D. Shipp
William B. Farris, City Manager
WILMINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION
Daniel D. Retchin, Chairman
James C. Barker
Gloria Berger
Les Edwards
Dorothy Forbes
George T. Hawes
Larry Sneeden, Vice Chairman
Arcelia Wicker, Sr., Director of Planning & Development
PROJECT PLANNING STAFF
Glenn Harbeck, Senior Planner
Georgia Smallman, Planning Technician
SECRETARIAL
Teresa Elmore
COVER DESIGN
Octavia Micuda, Graphic Artist
The preparation of this report was financed in part through a grant provided
by the North Carolina Coastal Management Program, through funds provided by
the Coastal Resources Management Act of 1972, as amended, which is admin-
istered by the Office of Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.

CONTENTS
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INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 1
SECTION
1.
POPULATION GRO14TH . . . . . .
. . . . 2
j
SECTION
2.
HOUSING . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 6
SECTION
3.
ECONOMICS . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 15
�j
SECTION
4.
EDUCATION
. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 25
SECTION
5.
TRANSPORTATION . . . . . . . . .
. . 35
SECTION
6.
HEALTH CARE
aSECTION
7.
CRIME . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 45
SECTION.8.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS . . . .
. . . . 51
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INTRODUCTION
This reportis premised on the.belief that the Wilmington area is a competitor.
It is a competitor with other urban areas in the State of North Carolina as well as
other areas along the southeastern coast of the United States. Just as a growing
business seeks out the best employees, customers and clients, cities today are
becoming more aware of the need to -recruit the best workers, firms, educators and
others. In recent years, many businesses have undertaken a process known as
strategic planning to plan their corporate future.- This same process is now being
applied to cities. Thisstudyrepresents part of the strategic planning emphasis
that the City of Wilmington is giving to the 1986 Land Use Plan Update.
` One element of strategic,planning.is to take stock of your strengths and
weaknesses as compared to your.competitors. How Wilmington Stacks Up is designed
to be .an honest appraisal of Wilmington's strengths and weaknesses compared to
several other urban areas in the State of North Carolina and several selected
urban areas along the southeastern. seaboard. Areas within the State include
Asheville, Charlotte -Gastonia -Rock Hill, Fayetteville, Greensboro -Winston Salem -
High Point, and Raleigh -Durham. Coastal cities selected for comparison include
Charleston, SC; Jacksonville, FL; Norfolk -Virginia Beach -Newport News, VA and
Savannah, GA. Each of these areas was compared on the basis of seven general
categories: population growth, housing, economics, education, transportation,
health care and crime. Rand McNally's Places Rated Almanac was used as the source
of information both for consistency and for ease in gathering data.
The information contained in this report will undoubtedly mean different things
to different people depending upon the reader's objectives. The overall objective
of the report, however, is to point out the strengths in the urban area worthy of
reinforcement and weaknesses capable of being changed over time.
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0 SECTION 1. POPULATION GROWTH
Population growth is usually a good overall indicator of economic health in
(� an area. Where the population is increasing,jobs are usually growing and things
U are happening. Business and development interests typically look at population
growth from at least two perspectives: 1) The actual increase in numbers of
people and 2) The percentage increase in numbers of people over a period of
a time. Table 1.1 and Figures 1.1 through 1.4 allow for a comparison of popula-
tion 9 P PP
(� tion growth.
Between 1970 and 1980 the Wilmington Metropolitan Area, defined as New
Hanover County, grew by roughly 25%. This figure was second only to Raleigh -
Durham within the state. Among:the coastal urban areas studied only Charleston,
South Carolina had a higher growth rate. While Wilmington's growth rate•is
9 9 9
impressive, the actual increase in numbers -for the area is relatively small com-
pared the other metropolitan areas studied. During the decade of the seventy's,
Cthe Wilmington Metropolitan Area grew by approximately 20,000 people. By
comparison Jacksonville, Florida's population increased by 110,000 people, yet
its growth rate was only 18% over the decade. The bar in Figures 1.2 and
graphs
} 1.4 illustrate how small Wilmington's population base is compared to the other
L� metropolitan areas. Thus it may be said that Wilmington's market depth is rela-
tively shallow but it is growing rapidly, making it attractive to small businesses
and investors who recognize the economic potential of the area.
U

Table 1.1
POPULATION GROWTH, 1970-1980
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
POPULATION
METRO AREAS AND POPULATION POPULATION CHANGE
COMPONENT COUNTIES 1980 1970 1970-1980
SOUTHEASTERN COASTAL MSA:A
Charleston, SC 4307462 336,036 28.1%
Berkley,Charleston and
n Dorchester counties
Jacksonville, FL
C1ay,Duval,Nassau and
nSt.Johns counties
Norfolk-Va.Beach-NewportNews,VA
Gloucester,James City and
York counties
Savannah, GA
Chatham and Effingham counties
Wilmington. NC
New Hanover County
Q NORTH CAROLINA METRO AREAS AND
COMPONENT COUNTIES
Asheville
Buncombe County
Charlotte -Gastonia -Rock Hill(SC)
Cabarrus,13aston,Lincoln,
Mecklenburg,Rowan and Union
counties,NC; York. County,SC
7229252 612,585 17.9%
111G0,311 19058,764
220p553
103,471
160,934
971,391
Fayetteville 247,160
Cumberland County
Greensboro-WinstonSalem-High Pt. 8519851
Davidson,Davie,Forsyth,
Guilford,Randolph,Stokes and
Yadkin counties
Raleigh -Durham 5G1,222
Durham,Franklin,Orange and
Wake counties
Wilmington 103,471
New Hanover County
201,448
82,996
145.056
840,347
2129042
742,984
446,074
82,996
9.5%
9.5%
24.7%
10.9%
15.G%
16.6%
14.7%
24.7%
Secondary Source: Richard Boyer & David Savageau, PLACES RATED ALMANAC;
Rand McNally: February, 1985. pp. xv-.txiv.
Primary Source: U.S.Office of Management and budget, as of June 30, 1983.
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227.
'u( O 20=
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75
a 1 89.
0
CL
32 ,
0 12�
0
n � 10A
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43Z
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O�
,
0.9
0.7
c
0.8
U o 0.s
3 0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
O
Figure 1.1
POPULATION GROWTH
SELECTED NORTH CAROLINA AREAS, 1970-80
Ashvl Chorlt—Gast Faytvl Grnb—WS—HPt Rol—Drhm Wimgtn
Figure 1.2
POPULATION GROWTH
SELECTED NORTH CAROLINA AREAS, 1970-80
Ashvl Chorlt-Gast Faytvl Grnb—WS—HPt Rol—Drhm Wimgtn
Jam) ® Populotion,1970 ® Population,1980
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Figure 1.3
POPULATION GROWTH
IN SELECTED COASTAL AREAS, 1970-80
30�
285�
2 8 X
2 4%
227.
20n
18�
1 83C
1 4%
1297-
1 07
aP.
8�
d�
29
OV
Chorlstn,SC Jacksvl,FL Nrf—VBch,VA Sovanh,GA
Figure 1.4
POPULATION GROWTH
IN SELECTED COASTAL AREAS, 1970-80
y.2
1 .1
1
0.9
0.8
C
O
0.7
N
.gv O.5
H
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
Charlstn,SC Jocksvl,FL
Populotion,1970
Wilmngtn,NC
Nrf—VBch,VA Sovonh,GA Wilmngtn,NC
® Populotion,1980
-5-

SECTION 2. HOUSING
Housing types and their associated costs can tell much about a metropolitan
area. Is the area ripe for new innovations .in.housing? Is the existing housing
stock old or new? Will I have to pay more for a house or less when I move? The
following tables help answer some of these questions.
Table 2.1 for example, reveals that in 1980 nearly three quarters of
Wilmington's total housing stock was in single family homes. Most other coastal
metropolitan areas had a.higher percentage of apartments thart did Wilmington.
Within the State of North Carolina, only Raleigh -Durham had a significantly lower
percentage of single family homes and a correspondingly high percentage of
appartments. The high number of colleges and universities in the Raleigh -Durham
Metropolitan Area probably contributes heavily to this situation.
Among coastal metropolitan areas, only Savannah, Georgia had a higher percent-
age of homes built before 1940 than Wilmington. This implies that the rapid
growth periods for these other coastal areas occurred after 1940. Wilmington's
largest growth period may be yet to come.
In Table 2.2 and Figures 2.3 and 2.4 average monthly rent for apartments is
presented. Among%the coastal areas Wilmington is tied with Savannah for the lowest
average rent. Among the North Carolina metropolitan areas, Wilmington has rents
equal to the Greensboro area and slightly higher than those in Asheville. In
either case, Wilmington's average monthly rents might be considered reasonable.
Regarding the average purchase price of a single family home, Wilmington lands
right about in the middle. Among coastal area communities, Charleston and Norfolk -
Virginia Beach rank higher in price while Savannah and Jacksonville, Florida are
slightly lower. Within the State of North Carolina, Fayetteville and Asheville
have lower purchase prices while Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh -Durham are
0
somewhat higher.

Regarding property taxes, Figure 2.7 illustrates that Wilmington's property
taxes are the lowest of any metropolitan area among the coastal cities. In
North Carolina, Fayetteville and.Asheville's property taxes are slightly lower,
while Charlotte, -Greensboro and Raleigh -Durham are higher.
Regarding the need for heating and air conditioning, Figures 2.9 and 2.10
show that Wilmington compares favorably with its competitors. Wilmington
requires the lowest number of air conditioning hours of any of the coastal cities
evaluated and is second only to Asheville among the North Carolina cities.
Looking at the heating degree days, (Table 2.2) Wilmington again compares favor-
ably with the North Carolina cities. It has far fewer heating degree days than
Asheville or any of the in -state cities studied. In general, an individual or
a company -wishing to minimize heating and cooling cost would find Wilmington an
attractive place to locate.
-7-

Table 2.1
HOUSING CHOICES, 1980
----------_----------------------
=---------------------------------------=----------
LOCAL CHOICES:
BUILT
METRO AREA
1T04-FAMILY
BEFORE
CONDO-
MOBILE
APART -
HOUSES*
1940
MINIUMS
HOMES
MENTSA
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOUTHEASTERN COASTAL MSA:*A
Charleston, SC
67%
11.9%
22
72
11%
Jacksonville, FL
G8%
11.3%
2%
8%
15%
Norfolk.-Va.Beach-Newport News,VA
71%
12.5%
12
2%
16%
Savannah, GA.
71%
17.6%
1%
6%
10%
Wilmington. NC
74%
14.9%
1%
6%
10%
NORTH CAROLINA MSA:)kik
Asheville
73%
23.1%
1%
12%
9%
Charlotte -Gastonia -Rock Hill(SC)
72%
15.4%
lY.
7%
12%
Fayetteville
72%
5.72
1%
10%
9%
Greensboro-WinstonSalem-High Pt.
74%
15.9%
1%
7%
10%
Raleigh -Durham
67%
13.1%
1%
6%
162
Wilmington
74%
14.97.
1%
6%
10%
Secondary Source: Richard Boyer & David S•avageau, PLACES RATED ALMANAC;
Rand McNally: February, 1985. pp. 70-116.
Primary Sources: U.S.Census Bureau, 1980 CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING.
U.S.CENSUS OF POPULATION & HOUSING, 1980 counts apartments only in
buildings having 5 or more rental units. Apartments in duplexes,
triplexes and quadriplexes are not counted.
tic Metropolitan Statistical Area.

a 07
-1Q7.
Mn
C a07.
= 50�
v
0
407.
0 307.
t!
`v
20,:
107.
On 1{1b1—
Chorlstn,SC
© Hauses
a03:
Cr 607.
7
= 50�
'L•
0
p 407.
0 305z
c
207.
10%.r
Ashvl
® Houses
Figure 2.1
HOUSING CHOICE:
SELECTED COASTAL AREAS. 1980
Jacksvl,FL
Nrf—V6ch,VA
Sovanh,GA
Wilmngtn,NC
Q Apts.
® MoblHom.
®
Condos.
Figure 2.2
HOUSING CHOICE:
SELECTED NORTH CAROLINA AREAS. 1980
Chant —Gast Foytvl Grnb—WS—HPt Ral—Drhm Wlmgtn
Apts. ® MoblHom. ® Condos.
-9-

Table 2.2
HOUSING COSTS, 1984
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APARTMTS:
SINGLE-
ANNUAL COSTS:
ENERGY:
METRO AREA
RENT
FAMILY
PROPTY
MORTAGE
UTILITIES
HEATING
AIR
HOUSES:
TAXES
I TAXES
SEASON
CONDTNG
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(monthly)
PRICE
(deg.days)*(hours)AA
SOUTHEASTERN COASTAL MSA:AAA
Charleston, SC
$320
$60,700
$559
$6,314
$1,088
2,146
1,252
Jacksonville, FL
$325
$52,400
$540
$5,507
$1,119
1,327
1,725
Norfolk.-Va.Beach-Newport News,VA
$340
$66,600
$959
$7,274
$1,294
3,488
990
Savannah, GA
$280
$53,100
$642
$5,675
$1,221
1,952
1,515
Wilmington. NC
$280
$55,600
$539
$5,809
$1,049
2,433
683
NORTH CAROLINA MSA:AAA
Asheville
$270
$53,100
$515
$5,546
$1,176
4,237
610
Charlotte -Gastonia -Rock. Hill(SC)
$305
$:i9,200
$574
$6,188
$981
3,218
1,138
Fayetteville
$300
$49,700
$482
$5,194
$1,080
3,073
1,260
Greensboro-WinstonSalem-High Pt.
$280
$58,200
$565
$6,083
$981
3,825
916
Raleigh-hurham
$320
$68,700
$667
$7,187
$1,049
3,514
1,031
Wilmington
$280
$55,600
$539
$5,809
$1,049
•2,433
683
Secondary Source: Richard Boyer I David Savageau, PLACES RATED ALMANAC;
Rand McNally: February, 1985. pp. 70-116.
Primary Sources: U.S.Census.Bureau, 1980 CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING.
U.S.Bureau of Labor, CONSUMER PRICE INDEX - APRIL 1984.
Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, SIGNIFICANT
FEATURES OF FISCAL FEDERALISM, 1984.
A A *Heating -Degree Day• is one in which the average temperature falls
below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, SUBSTATION SUMMARIES, 1951 to 1984.
Ah The number of hours when the temperature climbs over 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Source: U.S.Department of Defense, ENGINEERING WEATHER DATA, 1978.
AhAMetropolitan Statistical Area.
-10-

n
;�350
�300
$250
c
�.
$200
c
$150
v
m
:s100
1
#50
$O
Chorlstn,SC
L1
�320
$300
�230
�280
�2d0
�220
$180
.
$ 1 40
rn
Lv
$ 1 20
$100
:$s0
$80
L�
L'
$ 40
$20
$O
Figure 2.3
APARTMENT RENTS
IN SELECTED COASTAL AREAS, 1984
Jocksvl,FL Nrf—V6ch,VA Sovonh,GA Wilmngtn,NC
Figure 2.4
APARTMENT RENTS
SELECTED NORTH CAROLINA AREAS, 1984
Ashvl Chorlt—Gast Foytvl Grnb—WS—HPt Rol—Drhm Wlmgtn

0
1
340
g ^
i
JIG�1
�0
Figure 2.5
PRICES OF SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES:
SELECTED COASTAL AREAS. 1924.
Ix
NX
`
,�.
Charlstn,SC •Joaksvl,FL
tJ
�70
Sao
I
v V
I•
J
1
�10
Nrf—VBch,VA Savanh,GA Wilmngtn,NC
Figure 2.6
PRICES OF SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES.
SELECTED NORTH CAROLINA AREAS, 19-24
Ashvl Charlt—Gast Faytvl Grnb—WS—HPt Rol—Drhm Wlrrmgtn
-12-

$O.0
_
#0.7
E^
$0.8
T
L.
QQ
e
$0.2
FL.�
Charls+.n,SC
U
$700
�aoo
j�
C
uc
$ACO
in
$300
$i OO
L
so
sshvl
Figure 2.7
PROPERTY TAXES:
SELECTED COASTAL AREAS, 1 9 a 4
Jacksvl.FL Nrf—vgch,`JA Savanh,GA W;Irnngtn,NC
Figure 2.8
PROPERTY TAXES:
SELECTED NORTH CAROLINA AREAS. 1984
CKharlt—G7st Favtvl Grnb—W/S--HPt Rat—Orhrrm wlmgtn
-13-

Figure 2.9
ANNUAL AIR CONDITIONING NEEDS
IN SELECTED COASTAL AREAS
�.8
1.7
1.8
y
1.5
1.4
Ui
1.2
rn
1.0
0 Z
0.9
O
0 �F.C-
o_R
0.7
0
0.a
+ 'R
4.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
r
0.0
Charlstn,SC Jacksvl,FL Nrf—V6ch,VA Sovonh,GA Wilmngtn,NC
Figure 2.10
ANNUAL AIR CONDITIONING NEEDS
SELECTED NORTH CAROLINA AREAS
1.3
1 .2
...r
1 .1
1 .0
L
LL
0.9
'
0.8
9T
T,
ay
0.7
S
0.8
�-
0.5
0.4
0.3
Q
=
0.2
0.1
0.0
Ashvl Chorlt—Gast Foytvl Grnb—WS—HPt Rol—Drhm Wlrngtn
U
-14-

c-71 t7:D c7 t:j c-1 f7D 1�1 (::D

USECTION 3. ECONOMICS
Economics are at the heart of any strategic planning evaluation for a metro-
politan area. Is the area on the cutting edge of new technology and new busi-
ness products and services? How is this reflected in the area's growth in
income and jobs? After you bring your paycheck home, does the area's cost of
living allow you to.keep any of it for disposable income? The following tables
take a look at these issues.
Table 3.1 provides an interesting perspective on economic conditions in
each of the metropolitan areas -studied. The table reveals, for example, that
there is a high proportion of white-collar workers in the. Jacksonville, Florida
and Raleigh -Durham Metropolitan'Areas. According to.the Places Rated Almanac,
areas with a high proportion of white-collz�_r workers have a lessor tendancy to
undergo cyclical unemployment problems during national recessions. On the other
hand, metropolitan areas with a high blue-collar index, such as Asheville,
Charlotte and Greensboro -are more susceptible to cyclical unemployment related
to national trends.
Income growth and growth of jobs have been quite strong in virtually all of
the metropolitan areas studied. This reflects the favorable economic position
of the south in general over the past decade._ Wilmington was about average for
metropolitan areas in the State but was somewhat lower than the coastal metro-
politan areas in terms of income growth and Jobs growth. Of all the metropolitan
areas, Raleigh -Durham was significantly higher in both categories.' It is interest-
ing to note that Raleigh -Durham also had the lowest blue-collar index and the
highest white-collar index of all the areas studied. These findings are summarized
in the bar graphs contained in the Figures 3.1 through 3.4.
The Places Rated Almanac also examined the relationship between average house-
-15-

hold income and taxes for•each of the metropolitan areas studied. Taxes were
defined as the combination of personal income tax within the state plus the
state average sales tax. Within the coastal metropolitan areas, Wilmington had
the highest percentage of income consumed by taxes. However, in terms of actual
tax dollars collected, this amounted in most cases to a difference of less than
$250 annually per household. Florida's low tax structure created the largest
difference with approximately $700 less tax collected for an average household's
income.
Within the State of North Carolina, Wilmington's tax bite was about average.
Asheville and Fayetteville had slightly. lower tax bills while Charlotte, Greens-
boro, and Raleigh -Durham had taxes higher on average than the Wilmington norm.
As might be expected, however, taxes for each of the metropolitan areas with the
State were relatively comparable. It might be noted, however, that tax structures
in the southeast U.S. in general are much lower than tax structures in the north-
east, north and midwest U.S. Thus, individuals considering a move•to any of the
metropolitan areas studied would be relatively indifferent to the*tax structure of
the locale, particularly if they were coming from a northeastern or higher tax -
structured area.
It should be noted that no attempt is made in the study to examine property
tax rate in each of the metropolitan areas. Property taxes are typically of more
interest to potential business relocations than to the relocations of individuals.
However, recent studies on business and industrial relocations have shown that
property tax rates rank low on the list of priority concerns regarding relocations.
Moving to costs of living, as shown in Table 3.3 and Figure 3.7 and 3.8,
most of the metropolitan areas studied had living cost less than the national
averages. Housing costs,for example, were lower than the national average in
every urban area except for Norfolk -Virginia Beach -Newport News and the Raleigh -
Durham area. In these locales, housing cost were about equal to the national
-16-

average. Food costs were the highest in Wilmington of any of the metropolitan
areas in the State. The lack of an interstate highway to -bring truck products
to the Wilmington area may be a factor in this higher average cost. Compared
to the other coastal areas studied, Wilmington's food costs were about average.
In the category of other miscellaneous costs, Wilmington ranked the lowest of
any coastal area and in the middle to high range for metropolitan areas within
the State.
-17-

Table 3.1
�j EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS, 1978-82
la------------------------------------------------------------
METRO AREA
BLUE-COLLAR WHITE-COLLAR
------- ----
INCOME GROWTH OF
-
INDEXA INDEXA
GROWTHAA JOBSAA
SOUTHEASTERN COASTAL MSA:AAA
Charleston, SC
107
93
43.23%
10.87%
Jacksonville, FL
99
101
44.37%
15.27%
s.: Norfolk.-Va.Beach-NewportNews,VA
103
97
49 .38%
12.41%
Savannah, GA
109
91
44.73%
10.38%
Wilmington. NC
ill
89
41.38%
10.092
NORTH CAROLINA MSA:AAA
Ell,Asheville
115
85
41.43%
5.62%
Charlotte -Gastonia -Rock Hill (SC
115
85
41.29%
10.39
Fayetteville
105
95
42.75X
12.94Y.
n
! Greensboro-WinstoriSalem-Hic4ii PL
118
82
38.50%
5.3G%
Raleigh -Durham
88
112
45.952
21.76%
LWilmington
ill
89
41.38%
10.09%
Secondary Source: Richard Boyer
X David Savageau,
PLACES
RATED ALMANAC;
Rand McNally: February,
1985. pp. 371-414.
Primary Source: U.S.Department
of Labor, Bureau of
Labor
Statistics,
Employment & Earnings Branch,
unpublished
data,
1984.
EA U.S. Average = 100.
AA Foyer and Savageau derived these from their own data for years 197E
through 1982.
AAA Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
r� -18-

70�
m
BO7.
,m
1
507.
409
30F:
E
a
1
�
20�
a
c
u
10�
W
rigure s..s
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
IN SELECTED COASTAL AREAS
Chorlstn,SC Jocksvl,FL Nrf—VaSch,VA Sovonh,GA Wiimngtn,NC
C, ® Income Growth EM Jobs Growth
t
70�
oNo 9 0:9
m
rh
n 50P.
f� 405r.
30Y�
8.
a
O
v_ 20%.F
�j o
LL�1 c
u
w
o�
a
Figure 3.4
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
IN SELECTED NORTH CAROLINA AREAS
Ashvl
Chorlt—Gast Faytvl
Grnb—WS—HPt.
Rol—Drhm
®
Income Growth
= Jobs
Growth
541,_
Wlmgtn

Table 3.2
INCOME AND TAXES, 1982
------------------------------- 7---------------------------------------------
METRO AREA
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOMEA
TAXESAA
KITE
SOUTHEASTERN COASTAL MSA:AAA
Charleston. SC
$29,038
$779
3.24%
Jacksonville, FL
$29,352
$310
1.0G%
Norfolk.-Va.Beach-NewportNews,VA
$29,375
$1,054
3.59
Savannah, GA
$27,359
$989
3.G17..
Wilmington, NC
$26,633
$1,005
3.77%
SELECTED NORTH CAROLINA MSA:A*A
Asheville, NC
$25,990
$964
3.71%
Charlotte-Uastonia-RockHill(SC)
$213,904
$1,121
3.88%
Fayetteville, NC
$22,291
$800
3.59%
Greensboro-WinstonSalem-High Pt
$29,450
$1,147
3.89%
Raleigh -Durham, NC
$30,489
$19209
3.97%
Wilmington, NC
$26,G33
$1,005
3.77%
Secondary Source: Richard Boyer I David Savageau, PLACES RATED ALMANAC;
Rand McNally: February, 1985. pp. 371-414.
Primary Sources: U.S.Bureau of Economic Analysis, unpublished metro area
personal income data for 1978-82, 1984.
Advisory Committee on Intergovernmental Relations,'Ta:: Capacity
of the Fifty States,'1983.
�. A Household Income, calculated by multiplying Per Capita Personal Income
by 2.8, the average number of persons in an -average metropolitan
household.
*A State average personal income tax. plus state average sales to,--:.
AAA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
-21-

Table 3.3
LIVING COSTS INDEX, 1934
--------------------------------------------------------------
METRO AREA
---------------------------------------------------
HOUSIN`A
FOODA
OTHERA
SOUTHEASTERN COASTAL MSA W
7-
Charleston, SC
89
95
102
Jacksonville, EL
79
97
103
Norfolk-Va.Yeach-NewportNews,VA
103
102
100
Savannah, GA
83
97
103
Wilmin�-jton. NG
82
97
98
NORTH CAROLlNA MSA:AA
Asheville
81
93
93
Charlotte -Gastonia -Rock. Hill(SC)
86
93
93
Fayetteville
75
96
95
Greensboro-Wi.nstonSalem-High Pt.
85
92
104
Raleigh -Durham
99
96
95
Wilmington
82
97
98
Secondary Source: Richard Boyer € David Savageau, PLACES RATED ALMANAC;
Rand McNally: February, 1985. pp.371-414.
Primary Source: American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association,
'Inter -city Cost of Living Index,' first quarter, 1984.
A Index figures: U.S. average = 100.
AAMetropolitan Statistical Area.
AS

t�
Figure 3.7
LIVING COSTS
IN SELECTED COASTAL AREAS, 1984
110
100
90
s0
.70
80
50
40
30
20
10
0
Charlstn,SC
Jacksvl,FL
Nrf—VBch,VA
SaVonh,GA
Housing
®
Food ®
Other costs
110
100
90
80
70
so
so
QO
30
20
10
0
Figure 3.8
LIVING COSTS
SELECTED NORTH CAROLINA AREAS, 1984
Ashvi Charlt—Gast Foytvl Grnb—WS—HPt Rol—Drhm
(� Housing ® Food ® Other costs
-24-
Wilmngtn,NC
Wimgtn

a � � © �� � �� c� Y� t� � c-� i� '� � t� ,� r� �=ram i�
�� �� ,.
m
C
C�
D
O
z

QSECTION 4. EDUCATION
As the baby boom generation reaches its peak child bearing years during the
1980's, the quality of an area's educational system is becoming increasingly
important. In the State of North Carolina, for example, teachers' salaries are
a growing issue. Support for private schools and attendance at private schools
has been on the upswing Some educators view this shift to private schools as
a response to the dissatisfaction with the public school system. A college
education, which used to be a ticket to a successful career, is now becoming
common. While regular full time enrollment at colleges and universities has
been on the decline in recent years, evening and part time education has been
growing rapidly. Similarly, our more highly educated population has its best
access ever.to public libraries and the enormous resources available there.
Numbers regarding each of these factors are presented in Tables 4.1,.4.2 and
4.3 and Figures 4.1 through 4.7.
Elementary and secondary educational statistics are presented in Table 4.1.
Of the coastal metropolitan areas studied, Wilmington has the smallest percentage
(7.4%) of its student population enrolled in private schools. Savannah, Georgia
is at the other end of the range with over 21% of its student population in
private schools. As compared to other in -state metropolitan areas, Wilmington's
private school enrollment is about average. Only Fayetteville has a significantly
smaller percentage (3.7%) of its students in private schools.
Regarding pupil/teacher ratios, Wilmington has the highest ratio of any of
the coastal areas studied. Within the State of North Carolina, however, the 14.9
pupils per teacher ratio is about average. Dollars expended per pupil in 1-lilming-
ton rank second only to Jacksonville, Florida among the coastal communities studied.
Within the State, Wilmington ranks second only to Raleigh -Durham in the same
-25-

category. However, in the area of teachers' salaries, the Wilmington area is
about average to lower than average than the other metropolitan areas studied..
From this, one might infer that in 1982 a greater percentage of the revenues
available for public education were being channeled toward equipment, supplies
and buildings as opposed to higher teachers' salaries. It is difficult to
determine whether these differences are significant, however.
Regarding higher education, the Wilmington area ranks second only to
Raleigh -Durham in terms of the percentage of its total population enrolled in
institutions of higher learning. Wilmington's strong dominance as a regional
education center for all of southeastern North Carolina is apparent in these
figures. At the same time, the heavy influence of technical schools, colleges
and universities in the Raleigh -Durham area is evident in the high percentage
figure for that area. It is also worth noting that the University of North
Carolina at Wilmington has been the fastest growing educational institution in
the North Carolina University System for the past several years.
Readership and access to public libraries is another indicator of interest
in educational pursuits. The Places Rated Almanac had devised what it calls a
"public library reading quotient" to measure the interest of a given population
in reading. It is interesting to note that among southeastern coastal metro-
politan areas, Wilmington'is.about average, but among North Carolina metropolitan
areas, Wilmington's reading quotient ranks near the bottom. Wilmington is second
only to Savannah, -Georgia in terms of the number of books available per capita.
The small size of New Hanover County combined with the high number of books
available presents a good opportunity.for higher levels of readership.
-26-

Table 4.1
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION,
1982
PUBLIC•
AREA PUPILS-.
PUPILS/
/TEACHER
;
$/PUPIL
-------------------------------------------------------
AV -TEACHER
SALARYA
EFFORT
INDEXA*
PRIVATE SCHOOLS:
SCHOOLS
PUPILS
PRIV.STUDENTS/
-----METRU
----
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
/TOTAL STUDENTS
SOUTHEA8TERN COASTAL MSA:)kAA
Charlestcan, 8C 80,5bl
14.71
$2,167
$1,388
1.386
71
12,892
13.8%
Jacksonville,.EL 130,710
13.77
32,859
sl ,SS3
1.200
72
18,607
12.5%
Norfolk-Va.beach-Newport News,VA 219,181
13.41
$2,118
E1,4b5
0.886
109
23,891
9.8%
Savannah, UA ':35,371
14.18
$2,124
-S1,470
0.889
27
9,410
21.0%
Wilmington. NC 19,888
14.91
$2,404
$1,442
1.112
11
1,589
7.4%
NORTH CAROLINA MSA:AAA
Asheville 28,792
14.86
$2,292
$1,458
1.222
13
2,033
6.6%
i
-4 Charlotte -Gastonia -Rock Hill(SC) 185,578
14.68
$2,306
$1,475
1.001
GO
14,195
7.1%
Fayetteville 48,518
15.61
$2,152
$1,408
1.332
9
1,858
3.7%
Greensboro-WinstonSalem-High Pt. 156,244
15.03
$2,328
$1,520
1.084
11
13,348
7.9%
Raleigh -Durham 94,583
13.16
$2,440
$1,429
1.056
38
8,129
7.9%
Wilmin4to„ 1'),888
14.91
�a,4oa
$1,442
1.112
11
1,5kig
7..4%
Secondary 8uurce: Richard Boyer I David 8avageau, ?LACES
RATED
ALMANAC;
Rand McNally: tebruary, 19Uj . pp.
218-2G2.
Primary Suurces: U.8. Gtnsus Bureau, CUMPENDIUM OF ?UP'LIC
EMPLOYMENT
and
COMPENDIUM Ue UUVERNMENT t INANI:L•;,
November,
1984.
n
A Average teacher's monthly salary paid in
Uctober,
1982.
AA Advisory Committee on Intergovernmental
Relations
index which shows
much of a metro area's tax revenue is turned
over
to the public
schools. The national average is 1.000.
AAAMetropolitan Statistical Area

Figure 4.1
SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SELECTED. COASTAL AREAS, 1982
$3.0
$2.8
$2.8
a� $2.4
0
cn
$2.2
m $2.0
t
v�
ks
$1 .2
y 81.0
a
$0.4
$0.2
$0.0
Charlstn,SC Jocksvl,FL Nrf—VBch,VA iraavanh,GA Wilmngtn,NC
® $/Pupil ® Teacher Monthly Pay
$3.0
$2.8
$2.6
a $2.4
cn $2.2
L
s $2,0
$1.8
-o
$1.6
$1.4
$1.2
a
$0.7
$0.3
Figure 4.2
SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SELECTED NORTH CAROLINA AREAS, 1982
%1m OVA 1�%Ohl � OAF 1�%\� OAF 1'
Ashvl Chorlt—Gast Foytvl Grnb—WS—HPt Rol—Drhm Wlmgtn
® $/Pupil ® Teacher Monthly Pay
-28-

Figure 4.3
PRIVATE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
SELECTED COASTAL AREAS 1982
o
z��
18P
1 77Z
n
�
15A
21
147.
�
129
0
9P.,
s
8�
5�
4�
3�
1
O�
Charlstn,SC
U
a�
a
�
U
�
ssz
a�
0
y
a
27.
(�
U
17.
t
Jocksvl,FL Nrf—vBch,VA So-anh,GA Wilmngtn,NC
Figure 4.4
PRIVATE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
SELECTED NORTH CAROLINA AREAS, 1982
Ashvl Charlt—Gast Foytvl Grnb—WS—HPt Rol—Drhm Wlmgtn
-2 -
9

Table 4.2
WILMINGTON COMPARED WITH SIMILAR
METROPOLITAN AREAS:
HIGHER EDUCATION, 1983-B4
2-YEAR SCHOOLS:
---------------------------------------------------
4-YEAR SCHOOLS:
TOTAL
PERCENT
METRO AREA
NUMBER
OF
NUMBER OF
NUMBER OF
STUDENTS IN
---- ----
PUBLIC PRIVATE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
STUDENTS
PUBLIC PRIVATE
STUDENTS
STUDENTS
TOTAL POP.
SOUTHEASTERN COASTAL MSA:AA
Charleston, SC
1 1
6,468
3
1
12,673
19,141
4.4%
Jacksonville, FL
1 0
15,661
1
4
11,308
26,969
3.7%
Norfolk-Va.Beach-Newport News,VA
3 0
22,578
4
5
39,088
61,666
5.3%
Savannah, GA
0 1
654
2
1
5,559
6,213
2.8%
Wilmington..NC
1 1
1,927
1
0
5,766
7,693
7.4%
i
` NORTH CAROLINA MSA:A*A
0
Asheville
1 3
3,499
1
1
3,067
6,566
4.1%
Charlotte -Gastonia -Rock Hill(SC)
4 2
26,761
2
10
24,951
51,712
5.3%
Fayetteville
1 1
6,172
1
1
3,220
9,392
3.8%
Greensboro-WinstonSalem-High Pt.
2 4
9,575
4
8
28,372
37,947
4.5%
Raleigh -Durham
2 6
10,014
3
5
64,077
74,091
13.2%
Wilmington
1 1
1,927
1
0
5,766
7,693
7.4%
Secondary Source: Richard Boyer &
David Savageau, PLACES RATED
ALMANAC;
Rand McNally: February, 1985. pp. 218-262.
Primary Source: National Center for Education Statistics, EDUCATION
DIRECTORY, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, 1983-84;
pub. 1984.

Figure 4.5
HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS
IN SELECTED COASTAL AREAS. 1952
osr.
77.
D
o
ast
0
3
s
5�
D
0
a
O
4%.P
D4..
O
C
Da
2F.'
1R
o4t
Charistn,SC
D
U
1 43L
13�
12�
C
g
10�
0
9�
DC
a
0
CL
9
0
0
77.
5=
m
4R
V.
27.
13�
Q9:
Ashvl
D -
Jacksvl,FL Nrf—VBch,VA Sovcnh,GA Wilmngtn,NC
Figure 4.6
HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS
SELECTED NORTH CAROLINA AREAS, 1982
Chorlt—Gast Foytvl Grnb—WS—HPt Rol—Drhm Wimgtn
-31-

Table 4.3
READERSHIP. 1982
-----------------------------------
---
PUBLIC
VOLUI� ES-----PUBLIC-----PUB.
L IB.
METRO AREA
LIBRARY
PER
LIBRARY
REARING
------------------------------
PERSONA
CIRCULATION*
QUUTIENTAA
SOUTHEASTERN COASTAL MSA:AAA
---VOLUMESA
-----------------------------------
�JCharleston,
uu
SC
3879332
0.900
722,006
4.0
Jacksonville, VL
410, 4 3;3
0.660.
2, U26? 528
4.0
tJ
Norfolk-Va.Beach-Uewport News,VA
560,856
0.483
3,117,007
5.3
("1
u
Savannah, UA
3821,2124
1.733
960,522
5.2
Wilmington. NC
171,165
1.654
355,620
5.1
NORTH CAROLINA MSA:*AA
Asheville
264.023
1.641
726,126
6.2
n
Charlotte -Gastonia -Rock. Hill(SC)1,39lp
441
1.432
3,637,272
G,S
u
Fayetteville
225,132
0.911
564,272
3.2
Green boro-WinstunSalem-Hij0
FL.1,10G,807
1.299
2,837,111
7.0
Raleigh -Durham
592,800
1.056
1,803,578
5.3
W i I m i n-j to,-,
lVl, iGj
1.G;i4
:35;j,620
5.1
0
It
A Source: Richard Royer & Davie Savageau, PLACES RATED ALMANAC;
Rand McNally: Eebruary, 1985.
AA Total of literary volumes plus circulation, divided by population served.
-kAAhetropolitan Statistical Areas.
=32-

u
Table 4.4
(�
(.j
CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES, 1984
------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
FINE ARTS FINE ARTS
METRO AREA
RADIO PERFORMING
PUBLIC
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MUSEUMS (HRS/WEE[' GROUPS TELEVISION
SOUTHEASTERN COASTAL MSA:*AA
Charleston, SC
1 130 5
1
Jacksonville, FL
0 133 4
1
Norfolk-Va.Beach-Newport News,VA
1 133 8
1
Savannah, GA
2 127 2
1
(1
Wilmington. NC
3 128 5
1
NORTH CAROLINA MSA:AA
n
Asheville -
2 72 1
1
Charlotte -Gastonia -Rock Hill(SC)
4 127 4
1
Fayetteville
1 126 1
1
Greensboro-WinstonSalem-High Pt.
8 126 6
1
Raleigh -Durham
3 303 7
1
Wilmington
3 128 5
1
Sources: Richard Boyer € Davie Savageau,
PLACES RATED ALMANAC;
Rand McNally: February,
1985. pp. 263-310.
George Scheer III, NORTH
CAROLINA, A GUIDE TO THE OLD NORTH
STATE.
Note: [(sown museums were :added to
the Boyer-Savageau tally, who
had omitted
these: the Gordon Homestead
(National Girl Scout Museum) in
Savannah,
N.C.Museum of Life & Science
Museum of History in Charlotte,
in Durham, Discovery Place and
New Hanover County Museum,
the Mint
St.John's
Museum of Art, Ft. Fisher Civil
War Museum in Wilmington..Wilmington's
fine arts radio station was
also added to the tally, as was
i•ts
a
Thalian Association, Straw Hat
Theater, Symphony Orchestra,
Choral
Society and Ballet Company.
r
-33-

1..1
8
5
a
m
�
N
3
13
Z
t
Figure 4.7
PUBLIC LIBRARY READERSHIP
SELECTED COASTAL AREAS, 1982
Chorlstn,SC Jocksvl,FL Nrf—VBch,VA Savonh,GA Wilrnngtn,NC
® Library Quotient ® Books Per Capita
7
9
O
m
4-
e
�
3
E
z
2
Q
Figure 4.8
PUBLIC LIBRARY READERSHIP
SELECTED NORTH CAROLINA AREAS, 1982
(� Ashvl Charlt—Gast Foytvi Grnb—WS—HPt Rol—Drhm Wlmgtn
U Library Quotient ® Books/per copito
-34-

aSECTION 5.
TRANSPORTATION
The information society of the 1980's has not yet reached the point where
poor transportation networks can be overcome by good communications networks.
The economic futures of many urban areas, including Wilmington, remain tied to
the ability of the particular area to trade with other markets. In addition,
the ability to move goods, services, and products within each urban area is an
important factor in the efficiency of the area as an economy. Table 5.1 and
Figures 5.1 through 5.4 present information regarding transportation.
Compared to other coastal areas along the southeastern seaboard, Wilmington
is in a relatively poor position regarding trade with other market areas. Were
it not for the deep water port of the city, Wilmington would be relatively iso-
lated from other trade areas. Table 5.1 shows the transportation networks of
each metropolitan area studied according to highway access, air service and
Amtrak Train Service. With the sole exception of Wilmington, all other metro-
politan areas studied had access to one or more interstate highways. Among the
State metropolitan areas examined, only Fayetteville did not have access to
interstate highways. By most accounts, lack of access to an interstate highway
has been a serious handicap in the past and present growth of the city. It
should also be noted that there is no beltway around the City of Wilmington.
Most urban areas have had beltways constructed as a result of the presence of
interstate connectors passing near or through their city.
Regarding air service, 111ilmington.had the fewest number of flights per day
serving the urbani.zed.Area in 1934. Only 15 flights per day left New Hanover
County Airport while the Charlotte area airport, for example, had over 250 flights
per day serving that area. Good access to interstate highways and air service has
no doubt been a major factor in the emergence of.Charlotte as a major economic hub.
-35-

Likewise the rapid growth of the Raleigh -Durham area has undoubtedly had an
influence on the decision of serveral airlines to expand their interest in the
"R-D" Airport. This in turn will further develop Raleigh as a major center in
the years ahead.
The final category of transportation service concerns Amtrak. Of the urban
areas studied, only Norfolk -Virginia Beach, Wilmington and Asheville lack access
to the Amtrak system. Admittedly, Amtrak does not have nearly the influence on
urban economic growth as the other major transportation systems. Recent moves
by the Federal government to trim Amtrak's operating budget may further reduce its
importance. Nonetheless, access to the Amtrak system can be seen as an indicator
of the relative importance of each urban area to significant transportation net-
works. It is interesting to note that all three urban coastal areas south of
Wilmington, (i.e. Charleston, Jacksonville and Savannah) are well served by the
Amtrak Network. This is basically the same situation as exists with Interstate 95.
Apparently, the same bulge in the coastline of the United States that gives
Wilmington its attractive climate serves as an unfortunate deterrant to the
location of good transportation facilities.
Regarding transportation within each urban area, Wilmington's small town
character gives it a good advantage on commuting time to and from work. Among
coastal communities, for example, the average commuter in Wilmington saves seven
or eight minutes on his or her daily commute. Within the State of North Carolina,
however, the rapidly growing areas of Charlotte and Raleigh -Durham are the only
two areas measureably higher in terms of their commuting time. As of 1984, the
commuting time difference was not significant. As Wilmington grows and becomes
more congested, average commuting times are likely to increase noticeably.
Table 5.1 also shows that all the urban areas evaluated were supplied with
public transportation. Of the areas studied, Wilmington has the smallest public
STD

transit system with thirteen buses. By contrast, the metropolitan area comprised
of Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Newport News had a total of 305 buses. Seat miles
per capita is a measure of the level of service provided to an area. Among the
metropolitan areas studied, only Charleston and Fayetteville had service levels
lower than that of Wilmington.
,i A final factor in evaluating the local transportation systems for each
urban area is an assessment of the amount of freeway traffic in relation to the
design capacity of area roads. Percent of design capacity is an indicator of
the level of congestion on streets and highways. Among North Carolina urban
areas, only Asheville had an average percent of design capacity of less than 50.
All other North Carolina urban areas had freeway traffic flowing at 50 to 89%
of design capacity. Among Wilmington's competitors along the coast, only Jack-
sonville, Florida had traffic loads comparable to those of Wilmington. Charles-
ton, Norfolk and Savannah all had freeways with traffic loads of less than 500%
of design capacity. Thus, urban areas within the "good roads state" do not fair
as well as urban areas in other states to the north and south.
-37-

Table 5.1
TRANSPORTATION, 1984
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE
,PUBLIC TRANSPORT'N:
FREEWAY
AIR SERVICE:
AMTRAK
COMMUTE
SEAT
TRAFFIC
INTERSTATE
SERVICE:
METRO AREA (minutes/
CITY
MILES/
(% of design
HIGHWAYS
AIRLINES FLIGHTS/
TRAINS/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
./day)
BUSES
/CAPITAA
capacity)
(number)
(number)
/DAY
/DAY
SOUTHEASTERN COASTAL MSA:A*
Charleston, SL
48.6
32
0.65
332 to <33%
1
4
35
4
Jacksonville, tL
4%./
206
2.29
SOY. to 89%
2
11
93
4
Norfolk.-Va.beach-NewportNews,VA
47.1
305
1.85
34% to 49%
1
13
92
0
Savannah, GA
47.1
63
2.2;;
34% to 49Z
2
4
27
8
Wilmington. NC
40.9
13
0.98
502 to 89%
0
3
15
0
NORTH CAROLINA MSA:*A
w
co
' Asheville
40.7
.45
2.93
34% to 49%
2
4
23
0
Charlotte -Gastonia -Rock Hill(SC)
44.4
129
1.88
50% to 89%
2
15
264
2
Fayetteville
38.1
26
0.8
50% to 89%
1
2
16
2
Greensboro-WinstonSalem-High Pt.
40.5
81
1.22
50% to 89%
2
8
84
2
Raleigh -Durham
42.5
132
2.42
50% to 89%
2
12
100
4
Wilmington
40.9
13
0.98
50% to 89%
0
3
15
0
Secondary :tource: Richard Boyer S David Savageau, PLACES RATED ALMANAC;
Rand McNally: February, 198:j. pp.182-217.
Primary Sources: U.S.Census bureau, 1980 CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING.
U.S.Dept. of Transportation, Urban Mass Transit Administration,
.NATIONAL URBAN MASS TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS -SECTION 15 REPORT, 1984
A The number of transit seats that travel one mile of transit route for each
person in the urban core each day.
AA Metropolitan Statistical Area

•LS
:10
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
Figure 5.1
DAILY COMMUTING TIME
SELECTED COASTAL AREAS, 1984
Jacksvi.FL Nrf—V6ch,VA Savanh,GA
Figure 5.2
DAILY COMMUTING TIME
SELECTED NORTH CAROLINA AREAS, 1984
Wilmngtn.NC
.shvl Charlt—Gast Faytvl Grnb—WS—HPt Ral—Drhm Wlmgtn
-39 -

i00
90
2
70
8o
50
40
-3 0
20
10
a
Charlstn,SC
280
280
240
220
0 200
G
180
Q
a. 1030
m
140
lz 120
LD
J 100
L
a ee
e0
40
20
,0
Figure 5.3
AIR PASSENGER TRAFFIC
SELECTED COASTAL AREAS, 1954
Jackivl,FL Nrf—VBch,VA Savanh.GA
Figure 5.4
AIR PASSENGER TRAFFIC
SELECTED NORTH CAROLINA AREAS, 1984
Wilmngtn,NC
,,sh+vl •Charlt—Gast Faytvl Grnb—WS—HPt Ral—Drhm Wlmcatn
-40-

=
C''? C-71

I
0 SECTION 6. HEALTH CARE
Consistent and accurate measures of the quality of health care in urban
areas are not easily found: The Places Rated Almanac does its best to arrive
at some measure through the use of statistics regarding physicians, teaching
hospitals, cardiac rehab centers, hospices, and what it calls comprehensive
cancer research centers.. Each of these measures are displayed in Table 6.1.
Among the measures, perhaps the number of physicians per 100,000 people
is the most common health care indicator. Presumably where there are more
doctors per capita, there is more choice and more competition for health care
customers and therefore, health care costs are lower and perhaps better.
Among the coastal areas studied, Charleston has the highest number of physicians
per capita at 263 doctors per 100,000 people. Wilmington, however, is not far
behind at close to 200 physicians per 100,000. Within the State of North Carolina
the Raleigh -Durham Metropolitan Area is far away the leader in medical doctors
per capita. At 526 physicians per 100,000, the strong presence of the hospitals
and medical reserach facilities in the Raleigh -Durham area is evident. It is
interesting to note that there are significantly fewer doctors per capita in the
Fayetteville and Charlotte -Gastonia Metropolitan Areas.
In the category of teaching hospitals Raleigh -Durham is again the leader
among metropolitan areas studied. Wilmington has none. Every area studied had
at least one cardiac rehabilitation center. The number of rehab centers present
in a metropolitan area is used as a proxy for the overall level of specialized
medical services available. Raleigh -Durham is again well represented in this
category. Hospices are shown as being present in all areas except Fayetteville
and Charleston. Finally, comprehensive cancer research centers are shown as being
-41-

a
u
present in only the Greensboro and Raleigh -Durham areas. Overall it would
appear as though the Raleigh -Durham Metropolitan Area has the competitive edge
regarding medical service levels and the quality of health care available.
-42-

Table 6.1
.HEALTH CARE, 1982
--------------------- --------------------------------------------..__-_______---------------------------�
NUMBER OF
PHYSICIANS/
TEACHING
CARDIAC
COMPREHNSV
METRO AREA
/100,000
HOSPITALS,
REHAB
HOSPICES
CANCER RX
------------------------------------------------------------
PEOPLE
CENTERS
CENTERS
SOUTHEASTERN COASTAL MSA:AA
Charleston, SC
263
2
1
0
0
Jacksonville, VL
181
1
.2
3
4
itortolk-Va.Be•ach-NewportNews,VA
132
2
4
3
0
Savannah, GA
184
U
Wilmington. NC;
199
0
1
1
0
NORTH CAROLINA MSA:A
Asheville
204
4
3
1
0
Char lotte-Uastoni•a-Rock. Hill (SC)
99
1
1
2
0
Fayetteville
72
p
1
0
0
Greensboro-WinstonSalem-High Pt.
194
1
2
2
1
Raleigh -Durham
52G
a
4
3
2
Wilmington
199
p
1
1
p
Secondary Source: Richard Boyer 8 David S.avageau, PLACES RATED ALMANAC;
Rand McNally: rebruery, 1995. pp. 117-158.
Primary Suurces: U.S.Cenaus Bureau, COUNTY AND CITY DATA BOOK, 1983.
American Medical Association, PHYSICIAN CHARACTERISTICS & DISRIBUTION
IN THE U.S., 1982.
Antony Kruzas, MEDICAL AND HEALTH INFORMATION DIRECTORY, 1982.
American Heart Association, DIRECTORY OF CARDIAC REHABILITATION, 1981.
American Cancer Society, CANCER FACTS AND FIGURES, 1984.

2Bo
a
240
O
a
220
p
200
0
0
1 BO
o_
160
r �
0
140
•�
120
a.
100
ao
�i
80
E
Z
40
20
O
61 Chorlstn,SC
C
800
Q
O
Sao
O
Oo
O
400
0
N
300
v
U
°-
zoo
0
E
100
fi
0
Figure 6.1
SUPPLY OF PHYSICIANS
SELECTED COASTAL AREAS, 1982
Jocksvl,FL Nrf—VBch,VA Sovanh,GA
Figure 6.2
SUPPLY OF PHYSICIANS
SELECTED NORTH CAROLINA.AREAS, 1982
Wilmngtn,NC
Charlt—Gast Foytvl Grnb—WS—HPt Rol—Orhm Wlmgtn
-44-

SECTION 7. CRIME
The local crime rate for any given area is a factor which is of interest to
most individuals and businesses, but ranks very low on their list of priorities
in,:choosing an area for relocation. Between the publication of the first Places
Rated Almanac in 1980 and the second Places Rated Almanac in 1985, Wilmington's
relative score regarding crime became less desirable. The drop in the score was
not so much influenced by a significant increase in crime during that period of
time; rather it is a consequense of the Census Bureau's decision to drop
Brunswick County from the Wilmington SMSA. In effect, the very rural population
of Brunswick County served to bring crime rate down when the two counties were
combined in a single SMSA. Under the new arrangement, Hilmington is much more
urbanized and much smaller in geographic extent. (This can be seen simply by
looking at the mapped size of each SMSA on the cover of this report.) A small,
highly urbanized area, lowers the overall score. This should be kept in mind
when viewing the statistics in Tables 7.1 and 7.2 and Figures 7.1 through 7.4.
Among metropolitan areas of the southeastern coastal U.S., the overall crime
rate in Wilmington was about average. Charleston and Savannah had higher overall
crime rates, while Jacksonville and Norfolk -Virginia Beach-Newport:News areas
were lower. Within the State of North Carolina, however, the overall crime rate
for Wilmington did not -compare favorable as presented in -the Places Rated Almanac.
I
In 1982, for example, the crime rate in Wilmington was over three times that of
Asheville and nearly twice that of the Raleigh -Durham area. The number of assaults
reported in Wilmington was particularly high.
i Regarding property crime rates, the overall picture is not much better:
Wilmington ranked second only to Savannah, Georgia in terms of the overall crime
rate in 1982. Within the State of North Carolina, Wilmington was clearly the
U -45 -

highest in terms of overall crimes committed per capita. In 1982, Wilmington
experienced nearly 2,200 burglaries. For comparison, the Asheville metropolitan
area experienced 885 burglaries in the same year. It is apparent that among the
various factors evaluated in this report, the crime rate is one of the least
advantageous for recruiting new.businesses and industries to Wilmington.
-46-

Table 7.1
U VIOLENT CRIME RATES, 1982
E;---------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
METKO AKEA
MURDER*
KAPEA
ROBBERY*
ASSAULTA
TOTALA
------------------------------------------------------0UTHEASTEKN
ts---
COASTAL MSA:��c
harleston, SC
12.8
52.8
2G1.5
592.3
919
acksonville, FL
10.G
52.7
273.5
37G.2
713
lorfolk-Va.Beach-NewportNews,VA
9.8
39.4
203.1
227.5
480
Savannah, GA
1G.4
84.8
303.4
430.0
835
El"Jilmington. NC
7.G
37.8
149.3
522.5
717
[I NORTH CAROLINA .MSA:AA
sheville
ut
7.3
13.3
52.7
147.2
221
Charlotte -Gastonia -Kock Hill(SC)
9.6
30.2
142.0
513.1
695
9
17ayetteville
8.7
54.1
180.0
33G.W
580
Cjreen•sboro-WinstonSalem-Hi.ah Pt.
7.2
25.3
106.6
395.3
534
Caleigh-Durham
10.8
32.2
129.7
235.9
409
'Ui1mington 7.6 37.8 149.3 522.5 717
1Secondary Source: Richard Boyer & Davie Savageau, PLACES RATED ALMANAC;
. Rand McNally: February, 1985. pp. 159-181.
Primary Sources: Federal Bureau of Investigation, CRIME IN THE UNITED
STATES, 1983.
Federal Bureau of Investigation, CRIMES BY COUNTY--19827 1984.
-A Crime rates based on incidence per 100,000 population.
UAMetropolitan Statistical Areas.
L
L
U
-47-

<
1
1
0.9
y
0.8
]�
a
1J
0.7
j1
o
0
0.8
�„J
o
O
0.5
a
O.d
—
0.2
O-1
0
j ,1 Chorlstn,SC
800
.t�
700
C
800
.
s
c
500
a
0
400
a�
1.1
a
300
c
u
200
c
{�
1
100
0
Figure 7.1
VIOLENT CRIME RATE
SELECTED COASTAL AREAS
Jocksvl,FL Nrf—VBch,VA Savanh,GA
Figure 7.2
VIOLENT CRIME RATE
SELECTED NORTH CAROLINA AREAS, 1982
Ash-1 Chorlt—Gast
U
Wilmngtn,NC
Faytvl Grnb—WS—HPt Rol—Drhm Wlmgtn
-48-

Table 7.2
PROPERTY CRIME RATES, 1982
�
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' MOTOR
METRO AREA
BURGLARYA
LARCENY-
VEHICLE
TOTALA
-
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THEFTA
THEFTA
SOUTHEASTERN COASTAL MSA:AA
Charleston, SC
1,813.4
3,549.0
392.4
5,755
r
Jacksonville, FL
1,617.2
3,150.3
209.8
4,977
Norfolk-Va.Beach-NewportNews,VA
1,240.8
3,689.0
237.5
5,167
Savannah, GA
2,027.0
5,431.0
339.4
7,797
Wilmington. NC
2,162.7
4,575.7
316.5
7,055
NORTH CAROLINA MSA:AA-
Asheville
885.1
2,386.2
185.4
3,457
Charlotte -Gastonia -Rock Hill(SC)
1,793.0
3,739.4
252.7
5,785
Fayetteville
2,070.2
3,275.8
359.6
5,706
(l
Greensboro-WinstonSalem-High Pt.
1,355.5
2,754.5
214.7
4,325
Raleigh -Durham
1,601.3
3,890.1
235.0
5,726
Wilmington
2,162.7
4,575.7
316.5
7,055
Secondary Source: Richard Boyer
I David Savageau, PLACES
RATED ALMANAC;
j
Rand McNally: February,
1985. pp. 159-181.
Primary Sources: Federal Bureau
of Investigation, CRIME
IN THE UNITED
STATES, 1983.
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
CRIMES BY COUNTY-1982,
1984.
A Crime rates based on incidence
per 100,000
population.
A*Metropolitan Statistical Areas.

(� SECTION 3. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Summary
This section summarizes what the report reveals about Wilmington's strengths
and.weaknesses as an urban area. To do so, each of the factors considered in
this report will be briefly reviewed.
Regarding population, the Wilmington area continues to experience a growth
rate which would be the envy of a great many other metropolitan areas. Despite
1 this impressive growth rate, the actual numbers of people being added to the
LIL4 population are relatively small. Such incremental growth can be absorbed and
managed.. The challenge ahead will be to see whether improvements in the area's
infrastructure and services can keep pace with the population growth.
In the area of housing, the numbers reveal that the Wilmington area may be
ripe for housing innovation. Rising land and development costs, combined with
A4' the area's continued increases in population, makes the area a prime candidate
for new -land planning concepts, living environments and other new housing.ideas.
Housing developers who establish and effectively market new and better ideas
should have a significant impact on the.local home -buying public.
The relatively high percentage of the area's housing stock built before.
1940 reveals that Wilmington's greatest.growth period may be just around the
( corner. While there has been significant new apartment construction over the
past two to three years, these developments may have only caught up with the
pent-up demand for rental housing. This is unlike many other metropolitan areas
T'l where the supply has actually gotten out ahead of the demand. Reasonable average
home prices should also continue to be attractive to those relocating to Wilming-
Eton as well as out of town investors.
'Ell
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The favorable statistics regarding heating and cooling needs comfirm what
Wilmington area residents have long known, -- that the area's geographical
location at the mid -point of the eastern seaboard and close to the gulf stream
gives Hilmington an attractive climate.
Regarding economics, Wilmington does not have any particularly outstanding
attributes. There is no clear dominance, for example, of the rapidly expanding
white-collar industries of the 1980's. While Wilmington serves as the regional
center for the several counties in southeastern North Carolina, it has not yet
extended its influence beyond this relatively small area of the State.
Concerning education, the most surprising finding may be the large percent-
age of the Wilmington area population enrolled in institutions of higher -learn-
ing. This is a positive sign and can only mean good things for the future of
'the area.
Transportation facilities or the lack thereof, are confirmed as being the
largest single stumbling block to the economic future of Wilmington While the
City's deep water port is an asset, the air, highway and rail systems serving
the City fall short of what is needed. Recent dramatic increases in air traffic
and the construction of a new airport terminal should help alleviate the air
transportation problem. Wilmington does not have the benefit, however, of
designation as a hub by any major airline.
The anticipated completion of I-40 by the end of the decade will help put
Wilmington on the economic map. Continued improvements to US 74/76 and US 17
will also be important in tying Wilmington into the emerging economy of the
eastern seaboard. Programmed improvements to the City's internal transportation
network such as Smith Creek Parkway and the South Seventeenth Extension will be
of critical importance in distributing the traffic once it arrives
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l�
With continued talk of railline abondonment in the area, it is unlikely
that rail service will have a dominant influence on the transportation system
or the economy of the 'Wilmington area.
Regarding health care, the 'Wilmington area is adequately served for most
w' standard medical needs. While residents must leave the area for many tY,oes of
specialized medical care, this not deemed as a deterrant to the continued eco-
nomic development of the area. Excellent specialized medical care is available
in the Raleigh -Durham area, a reasonable distance from Wilmington.
Finally, the seemingly high crime rate for the.Wilmington area can be
explained by the removal of Brunswick County from the Wilmington standard
metropolitan statistical area. While controlling crime should continue to be
a normal concern of local governments, it does probably not warrant the kind of
attention that the sO-atistics in the Places Rated Almanac might lead an observer
.� to believe.
--,..------
j Based on the forgoing report and summary, the following major strategic
�J planning conclusions can be drawn:
1. Local government budgets should continue to emphasize investment in
infrastructure improvements designed to keep pace with the population
growth of the area.
2. Innovative land planning and development practices should be encouraged --
to efficiently accommodate the growing population.
3. Local economic development efforts should emphasize the recruitment of
white-collar "export" industries -- the industries of the future.
4. Continued growth, expansion, and enhancement of institutions of higher
learning in the Wilmington area should be fostered.
5. Investment in new highways and other transportation facilities should
be maximized as a cornerstone of economic development for the area.
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