A Guide for the Redevelopment & Revitalization of the Waterfront-1989

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I I " RICHARD NEIWLON & ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS
3704 MACOMB STREET NIW} 1211 QUEEN ELIZABETH STREET
202-966-1111 9 19 - 473 - 3 2 8 2
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WAS H I N G,T 0 NDo'Co, MANTEO, NORTH CAR,OLINA
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TCA
RICHARD NEWLON
3104 MACOMB STREET N.W.
202-966-1111
WASHINGTON, D.C.
& ASSOCIATES, ARCHITECTS
tli UII[[X FIItAB fiX SIYFFI
919-113-3181
MANTEO, NORTH CAROLINA

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RICHARD NEWLON
3704 MACOMB STREET N.W.
202-966-1111
WASHINGTON, D.C.
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& ASSOCIATES, ARCHITECTS
111 OUF[M FIIlIB[IX SLAFFi
91 B-I11 -3113
MANTEO, NORTH CAROLINA
1.

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1993
1994
1996
1997
1998
1999
000
PROPERTY OF
DIVISION OF COASTAL MANAGEMENT
PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE

A GUIDE FOR
THE REDEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION
OF THE
WATERFRONT
COLUMBIA, NORTH CAROLINA

COASTAL 2NST=AT2VE C0MM2TTEE
COLUMBIA/TYRRELL COUNTRY
Mr. Walter Spencer Mr. Charles Ogletree
P. 0. Box 593 P. 0. Box 510
Columbia, NC 27925 Columbia, NC 27925
Mayor George Owens Chm.
P. 0. Box 174
Columbia, NC 27925
Mr. Gordon Deaver, ✓ CA #I
Route 2, Box 94
Columbia, NC 27925
Mr. Al Hollis
Route 2
Columbia, NC 27925
Mr. Larry E. Jones, Jr.
P. 0. Box 360
Columbia, NC 27925
Ms. Virginia Haire
East Carolina Bank
P. 0. Box 337
Columbia, NC 27925
Ms. Gail Bunch
P. 0. Box 56
Columbia, NC 27925
Ms. Peggy Sawyer
Route 2, Box 277A
Columbia, NC 27925
Mr. J. D. Brickhouse, Finance Officer
Tyrrell County
Columiba, NC 27925
Mr. Walter Oakes
Seaboard Fed'1. Saving Bank Mr. Carlisle Harrell, Manager
P. 0. Box 630 Town of Columbia
Columbia, NC 27925 Columbia, NC 27925
Mr. Franklin Furlough
Route 1, Box 48
Columbia, NC 27925
Mr. Willie Hunter
P. O. Box 3
Columbia, NC 27925
Mr. Cadwell Bowser
P. O. Box 295
Columbia, NC 27925
Ms. Linda Cecil, Secretary
506 Main Street
Columbia, NC 27925

Rural Villages... "strip and desolve our pretensions and
cultural accretions ....... offer to become a part of all who
tend and love them. One returns to the roots of something
beyond one's personal descent."
-John Fowles

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QUALITY OF THE FUTURE
"A NEW LIFE FOR COLUMBIA...TOURISM" establishes a goal for
revitalization of the Town of Columbia. It is a theme that
is compatible with the life-styles of Tyrrell County
residents. The theme is honest, emphasizing the ideals of
the residents of Tyrrell County for their county seat. The
following plans attempt to establish the quality of the
development, and provide criteria by which various specific
proposals can be designed, evaluated for appropriateness,
funded and built.

-2-
COMPATIBILITY WITH PRESENT LIFE STYLES
The challenge is to revitalize and develop the waterfront in
such a way that it appeals to both townspeople and visitors.
The Town should be able to share its past and present; it
should not become something it is not, just to attract
tourists. The character should be compatible with the life
styles and aspirations of people living in Columbia now. The
waterfront should be neither a period museum nor a carnival,
but rather an alive town and a setting to present the
continuous history and living culture of Tyrrell County. As
an example, townspeople should be able to drive or walk
downtown to the county offices, the post office, the
waterfront, the hardware store, Popcorns, the pharmacy, and
other facilities - - activities which are highly valued
today. There should never be stores or restaurants that are
so fancy or expensive that local people do not feel
comfortable in them. The architecture should remain of human
scale but eclectic, expressing the contradictory ideals and
independent eccentricities of the Town. The waterfront
should respect present lifestyles as it accommodates the
future. The seafood business on Water Street should remain
and be enhanced, not discarded to accommodate tourist
expectations. The downtown should not be overrun with
visitors. Buildings along Main Street, those parts of
Columbia that are valuable and precious to townspeople,
should be restored to their original fronts to enhance the
rural eastern North Carolina "Village Experience".
Tourist activities should be concentrated on the waterfront
with ample parking away from the heart of downtown, the
courthouse and the post office. But on the waterfront,
tourist attractions should be dispersed and low key so local
people can use the facilities without great difficulty, even
in peak season.
A goal to bring as many as 1000 tourists per day to Columbia
when the waterfront is developed with a visitor center will
cause inconvenience to locals. This should not seriously
alter the lifestyles of the townspeople, but Columbia
likely will want to perpetuate its small town intimacy by
having an exclusively local annual celebration on the
waterfront for residents of Tyrrell County in the off season.

EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF TOURISM
Once the waterfront is developed and Main Street
revitalized, impact of increased tourism on local life styles
should be measured yearly to determine its continued
compatibility with local lifestyles and Columbia's rural
village atmosphere.
Each year que'stionaires should be sent to every household in
Columbia to evaluate the positive and negative effects of
tourism that year. The results should be monitored from year
to year. A town meeting could be held to discuss the impacts
and determine the plans for the following year. For example
local citizens, after careful evaluation, might decide to
delay the next phase of development or initiate parking by
local permit only downtown. This would allow local citizens
to maintain control, and consciously decide each year whether
they wanted to proceed with their plans for the Town or
modify them. Therefore, any plans for revitalization should
be explicitly phased and developed to be evaluated yearly in
terms of social impact, taxes, maintenance, jobs, and income.
Local people should not be expected to pay a major part of
the expenses associated with the waterfront development.
Only facilities with long term benefits for the people of
Tyrrell County should be constructed.
TYRRELL COUNTY'S PAST
The history presented to tourists should be relaxed, fun and
historically honest. The history should explain the
Important events of the past, but should stress the dreams
and struggles underlying each. A tourist should be told not
only of the highest ideals but also of the commonplace dreams
and occurrences.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF TYRRELL COUNTY
In 1663 Charles II granted Carolina to eight of his friends,
the Lords Proprietors; Tyrrell County was part of this grant.
In 1680, Captain Thomas Miller and Colonel Joshua Tarkington
explored Scuppernong River and called the area Heart's
Delight. Soon thereafter, small farms sprang up along the
Scuppernong and at Kendrick's Creek near present Roper.
Later a settlement with a log fort was established at Fort
Landing on the Alligator River.
The local Indian population, never large, dwindled rapidly,
not from warfare with the whites, but from the white man's
diseases. Early friendly relations between the races turned
to mutual distrust. Finally the local Indians joined the
Tuscaroras in an attempt to drive out the whites. In
September, 1711, the Indians attacked whites throughout the
region. The Scuppernong area was spared but a number of
people along the Alligator River and on the Outer Banks were
killed. The uprising was put down with help from South
Carolina and the remaining Indian population either moved
north to join the Iroquois or dwindled away.
The Carolina colony grew and produced increasing revenue, so
in 1728 the King asked the Lords proprietors to sell the
region back to him. All of them agreed except Lord
Granville, who retained the area containing the present
Tyrrell County. The following year, 1729, the General
Assembly met a Edenton and passed an act to appoint that part
of Albemarle County lying on the south side of Albemarle
Sound and Roanoke River as high as Rainbow Banks to be
Tyrrell Precinct. It was named in honor of Sir John Tyrrell.
The 100 mile long and 50 mile wide area included present
Dare, Tyrrell, Washington and Martin Counties.
Less than 50 years later, in 1774, the assembly created
Martin County from the western portion of Tyrrell. By then
opposition to British quit rents, taxes, and corrupt English
officials was intense.
At the Halifax Convention, where Carolina representatives
voted for freedom, Tyrrell's Militia Leader Colonel Edward
Buncombe was given command of the Fifth North Carolina
Battalion. The battalion served under General George
Washington and took part in several engagements. Buncombe
was wounded and captured by the British and died of his
wounds.
With the gaining of independence, Carolina moved ahead. In
1793, the assembly chartered Elizabeth Town near Shallop's
Landing on the east bank of the Scuppernong. The name of the
town was changed to Columbia in 1810.

-5-
Large plantations were established by the Collins and
Pettigrews of Lake Phelps. Slaves were used to dig canals to
drain the land, provide for transportation, and to connect
the lake with the Scuppernong River. Rice was the first
major crop but it soon gave way to corn.
During the prosperous years of the early 19th century
Tyrrell farmers owned slaves but usually in small numbers
except for the large plantations. At best, slavery was not a
very economic institution but without mechanization, large
scale farming required cheap labor.
With the bombardment of Fort Sumter in 1861, North Carolina
seceded from the union and joined the Confederate States of
America. The motive was not to maintain slavery but to
uphold the rights of the states.
Tyrrell County suffered hard times during the later stages of
the Civil War and Reconstruction. Local outlaws called
Buffaloes were active and Union forces operated in the area.
With Lee's surrender at Appomattox in April, 1865, the slaves
were freed. Large plantations could not survive without
slave labor, so they were broken up and sold. Former slaves
became share -croppers and eventually land owners. Conditions
stabilized in time and the county prospered again.
In 1870 Tyrrell was divided for the third time and the area
between Alligator River and Mann's Harbor became Dare County.
With the new century, Tyrrell County built new roads and in
1908, the Norfolk and Southern Railway extended tracks to
Columbia. The lumber industry reached considerable
importance in the county during the early part of the 20th
century. Several saw mills operated including the large
Branning Lumber Company .
After World War I, Tyrrell's agricultural boomed. The potato
was the major cash crop but corn, soybeans, sweetpotatoes,
and.peanuts were also important. Roads were improved so that
the crops could be hauled to market. The truck supplanted
the railroad which discontinued service to the county.
During the 1950's when the regions to the west were becoming
more accessible to the rest of the nation and Dare County to
the east began to intensify its tourist industry, economic
prosperity seemed to overlook Tyrrell County. Today, the
County retains its agricultural economy in the heart of great
undisturbed natural beauty.
Adapted from an address by William R. West

Im
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF COLUMBIA
The Tyrrell region originally was settled by the Secotan
Indians. Their two principal villages were located at what
would later become the Town of Columbia and Grapevine Landing
in Gum Neck.
In 1788 the General Assembly of North Carolina passed a
charter calling for the establishment of a town in Tyrrell
County. This town was to be called Newport. But the town,
the first chartered in Tyrrell County, never materialized.
Some four years later in 1793, the General Assembly chartered
another town to be called Elizabeth Town; it was to be
located on the east bank of the Scuppernong River near the
place then called Shallop's Landing. The plans for the town
included a courthouse, jail, public green, taverns, and
homes. The town was laid off in 1793 and it was made the
county seat in 1799. The name was changed to Columbia in
1801 because of a growing confusion with another Elizabeth
Town in North Carolina.
The town's relaxed air was rudely disturbed in 1863 when
Union troops, backed up by gunboats on the Scuppernong River
sacked and burned the town. Recovery was slow; and at the
beginning of the century, Columbia looked more like a hastily
thrown -up frontier community than a century -old county seat.
In the 1930's citizens got to work and tore down most of the
old stop -gap building to make way for more permanent
structures.
In 1908 the Norfolk and Southern Railroad put a spur into
Columbia which was terminated in 1948.
In 1920 the Columbia Electric Light Company was formed and
lasted until about 1929 when it was sold to the Virginia
Electric and Power Company. During the same year a bridge
was constructed across the Pint-O-Marsh linking the west bank
of the Scuppernong to the town.
In 1927 the local telephone company was established by one of
the many Cahoons which populated Tyrrell County. At its
peak, the local company had 300 subscribers and a long
distance line to Plymouth, North Carolina, 34 miles to the
west.
In 1953 Trailway Bus Company was established and in 1959 a
new bridge spanning the Scuppernong River just south of the
old bridge was built.
Today, many of the substantial homes and commercial building
of the 1930's still line Columbia's streets and undisturbed
waterfront.
Adapted from a report prepared by the Town of Columbia

-7-
TOURISTS
Tourists should experience as much of the history as
possible. Although the Visitor Center should be clearly
visible as the starting point, providing clear and concise
directions, history books, a walking tour booklet, and an
orientation slide show that sets the tone for the experience,
the story itself should be told and lived through the
experience. The story should be told unobtrusively by local
people doing what they do anyway: having coffee in local
restaurants, running stores and the government, making
crafts, and socializing. The tourists should feel both
uplifted and welcome, their physical comfort should be
provided for, and as a result they buy something while
walking the waterfront and Main Street.
A visitor should be welcome to stop and sit a while, view the
activity and the water, eat, shop, learn and chat with other
tourists or residents. Places should be provided for those
activities: benches, chairs, and rocking chairs outside and
more establishments like Popcorn's Restaurant, Pledger's
Hardware, Ben Franklin, Tyrrell Hardware, and Country Things,
where one gets the impression that the owners are equally
concerned with your enjoyment as with the sales. There is a
very different feeling in a town which embraces tourists and
one which gazes suspiciously at newcomers. This feeling is
very perceptible to visitors.
In addition, there should be available public restrooms; a
marina; shops and eateries of various price ranges; bicycle
and boat rentals; an inn; and perhaps open air farmers
market. All of these would serve both visitors and
residents.
Although there should be a separation between those
activities that are more exclusively for townspeople like the
post office and those for visitors, the visitor's experience
for the most part should be integrated into the waterfront
and Main Street. There should not be a separation of "them
versus us", which often leads to buildings, facilities and
activities being used by one group but not the other.

experience on the waterfront can heighten one's sense of
history. This can be accomplished by taking advantage of the
extraordinary opportunity afforded by the Town's existing
village scale, juxtaposed with the Scuppornong River and the
downhome residential streets. By providing some visitor
attractions on the waterfront and the beauty of the park
across the river and by creating a pedestrian link between, a
visitor will be constantly aware of the contrast between the
un-developed shoreline and the new life for Columbia. This
rare environmental opportunity should be maximized. The
Town's existing character as a built up village center should
be emphasized with carefully placed buildings.
The unusual beauty of the river, the marshland, and the
undeveloped shoreline should be preserved. The convenience
and comfort of open spaces intermingled with the buildings
should be enhanced to dramatize the contrast of built
village, open space and natural environment. Various tourist
facilities should be spread out to maximize this contrast,
and to make the activities unrushed, yet each facility should
lead to the next and never be more than 400 feet from another
attraction (the acceptable walking distance between tourist
attractions).

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THE IMAGE COLUMBIA CO11VEYS
The Town should appear to be what it is, a small rural
eastern N.C. community that played a significant role in the
history of Tyrrell County; a people proud of that history and
eager to share it; a Town that is -the keeper of that history;
a community whose waterfront needs repair and whose economy
needs a boost. The Town need be nothing more, but its image
must be clear for tourists and townspeople alike..
Visitors will leave Columbia with an impression that the Town
is both relaxed and friendly, historic and commonplace, rural
and natural. They should remember the waterfront. Visitors
should feel involved. The image should be clear, reinforced
and repeated throughout the community.
A relaxed atmosphere should pervade; pretense, monumentality
and suburban strip styles must be avoided. The facilities
should be remarkable in that they are useful and consistent
with Columbia's present character. The specific public
facilities should include the following:
0

-10-
PROPOSED PUBLIC FACILITIES
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A) VISITOR CENTER The visitor center should display
artifacts from the Estelle Randall. It should provide
information about the history of Tyrrell County and the
Albemarle area. It should include a welcome center, a small
introductory exhibit and an introductory slide show.
The visitor center must do the following:
1. It must be clearly visible to tourists from their cars.
a. They should see it, drive past it, park immediately
beyond it, and walk back to it.
b. This sequence should be obvious, direct and without
confusion.
C. The Visitor Center should appear clearly as an
information center and a "beginning point".
2. The Visitor Center should be located near the end of the
extended Water Street the waterfront.
3. Its location must greet, welcome, and be comfortable for
visitors.
4. It must be located with direct access to Highway 64 to
minimize congestion downtown and negative impact on
existing neighborhoods. The entrance should altogether
avoid Broad Street used by townspeople for the post
office.

-11-
5. Parking should be provided for an appropriate number of
cars within easy walking distance of the visitor center.
a. The distance from parking to the Visitor Center
should not be more than 400 feet.
b. The walk should be direct, but enhanced by existing
natural vegetation and river view.
6. The architecture of the Visitor Center needs to be in
keeping with eastern North Carolina styles - - relaxed,
comfortable and functional, "traditional rural North
Carolina design".
a. There should be a front porch with rocking chairs,
and tables where people can be welcomed, relax,
wait, meet others, or simply sit and watch the
activity and surrounding environment..
b. Inside the building, a visitor should enter a
reception space where a staff person is easily
accessible to give direction and information.
Information about Sommerset, Dare County
attractions, other Albemarle area Counties, and
accommodations should be immediately visible on one
side of the room. On the other side, a small
exhibit introducing the story of the Estelle Randall
should double as a waiting space for the slide show.
C. From the small exhibit space, a visitor may enter
a room where a 15 minute slide show plays every
half hour introducing the story of the history of
Columbia and Tyrrell County.
d. Restrooms should also be provided for use by
visitors and staff.
e. Upon leaving the slide show, a visitor should be
clearly oriented, feel free to sit and linger on
the porch or be directed to the next activity of
his choosing. The major attraction will be the
boardwalks and the historic residential walking
tour, as well as the excursion boat, shops,
restaurants, bike rentals and other private
facilities throughout downtown Columbia.

-12-
B) "EXCURSION BOAT"
The "excursion boat" will be docked on the Columbia
waterfront. This will be the major attraction, and a primary
setting for telling the Tyrrell County Story. Visitors the
world around have intense interest in the antebellum south.
According to Dorothy Redford, curator at "Somerset", Columbia
played an important role in at least one phase of
"Somerset's" history.
1. It should be a focal point of a visit to learn about
Tyrrell County and visitors should be able to board and
be taken on a cruise up river.
2. The boat should be prominently docked at the end of Main
Street and visible for every person crossing the bridge.
Information about the excursion should be available in
the Columbia Visitor Center as well as in all other
Vistor Centers in the Albermarle Region.
3. On an average summer day several hundred visitors may be
expected to buy a ticket for the excursion.
C) "THE WALKING TOUR"
"The Walking Tour" should be one of the final products of an
historic survey of the buildings in Columbia. Matching grant
funds are available annually for historic building surveys.
A local writer/historian could develop the walking tour and a
a local organization print the guide booklet for sale to
tourists as a fundraiser.

-13-
D) MARINA
A marina primarily serving boats travelling the Intercoastal
Waterway will be built. Some docks should be attached to the
boardwalk on the Town side of the River and more marina
facilities should be encouraged across the River on the old
"Enterprise Property". A public/private arrangement for the
construction and management of the docks, much like Manteo
and Beaufort, proves to be the best possible economic
solution to the problem of tremendous costs of building and
managing marina facilities. It provides a much greater
economic benefit to the community and without government
expenditure.
1. The docks for the marina should be located on the main
waterfront with separate facilities for townspeople and
visitors. At least one free public pier with docking for
several boats for locals visiting town by boat must be
included in the overall marina plan.
2. The marina will be an attraction itself, providing
activity that draws people from both the inland waterway
and the county into the downtown.
3. Slips should be 15 feet wide for boats up to 35 feet in
length. Larger boats can be accommodated at the end of
each main dock.
a. Catwalks should be 15 feet long, and should taper
from three feet wide to one foot wide at the end.
b. Water, electricity, cable T.V., toilet and shower
facilities will be provided. No boat repair or
maintenance service will be provided on the Town
side.

-14-
• .... w
E) BOARDWALK
A boardwalk along the waterfront will extend from the Oil
Company land south to the Visitor Center as well as across
the bridge to Town Park connecting with the old bridge.
F) PARKING
Ample parking with specific plans for expansion over the
years will become the single most important public facility
that government must address. Too little parking will kill
the Town and too much expanse of asphalt without trees and
landscaping will destroy the rural small town atmosphere.
Parking must be convenient, ample and interspersed throughout
the Town.

G) PUBLIC SWIMMING
Swimming could be provided from the south end of the
boardwalk. It should be defined by ropes for safety.
The "Beach" needs to be accessible by foot or car.
Parking for swimming efill be shared with parking for
Visitor Center.
H) BOAT RAMP
The Boat Ramp might be desirable. It should have at least 30
feet of waterfront with access directly to the River and the
free public dock. At the far south end there could be a ramp
with access to deep water, space for launching (2000 sq. ft.)
and additional parking for 12 to 15 cars with trailers.
Other parking is nearby.
I. The ramp should be a 6 to 15% slope.
2. Most cars with trailers must be able to enter and exit
without backing. A large space (10,000 sq. ft.) should
be provided for backing trailers into the water.
3. The facility could be adjacent to the Visitor Center but
should not visually compete with that center, so a
vegative screen should be planted between the two
facilities.
4. Seating, out of the mainstream of activity, should be
provided for boat parties and observers.
f

-16-
LAND ACQUISITION
Properties needed include:
Site A, block 16 parcel 9
Site B, block 16 parcels 29-43
and block 15 parcels 1-13
and block 14 parcels 5-7
Site C, block 14, parcels 1 and 2
Site D, block 3, parcel 6
Site E, block 3, parcels 7 and 8
Site F, block 8, parcel 1
Site G, block 4, parcel 1
Site H, block 4, parcels 4-6
(See map of "Redevelopment Sites" for reference.)
To accomplish the plans necessary for a successful
redevelopment of the waterfront, various parcels of land are
of critical importance. Some of the parcels need to be
purchased for public use; some may be acquired by donation;
some will require exchanges, easements, or leases; some will
be developed privately. It is absolutely essential that a
semi -autonomous Redvelopment Authority be appointed according
to North Carolina General Statues.
PRIVATE FACILITIES
The Town should encourage the establishment of the following
private facilities along Main Street and along the Boardwalk.
1. A variety store.
2. Local small scale industrial arts, especially those with
historic value.
3. An inn -type hotel with about 16 to 24 rooms.
4. Rental office and storage for bicycles, paddles boats and
canoes.
5. Several eating places including a cafe/grill, locally
operated fast foods, and a waterfront/river view
restaurant.
6. Local shops such as a craft shop, a vegetable market, a
seafood market, a bakery and a souvenir shop.
Approximately 20,000 square feet of new commercial facilities
will be justified by the additional tourism. If this
development is of high quality, it will become an attraction
in itself. It will draw visitors into downtown. If this
happens, the development will likely cause a "snowball
effect" drawing even more development. This trend may be

-17-
desirable for Columbia, but Town leaders must be cautious
that the downtown not be taken over by tourists. Locals
daily routine must be respected by future development.
The Town should cooperate with other towns and agencies on
the Outer Banks to promote "A Day Trip to Columbia". Care
must be taken to separate those facilities primarily for
visitors, and those almost exclusively for residents, so
residents may have easy automobile access to the latter.
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ENTRANCES
Visitors may come to Columbia much like those who came by
boat a hundred years ago except their trip should be clearly
marked, with services available upon their arrival. Upon
arrival, they may experience Columbia entirely on foot;
indeed a tremendous asset for attracting inland waterway
traffic.
A) ENTRANCE TO COLUMBIA BY CAR
0
Most visitors will likely arrive by car from either direction
along Highway 64. The approach from the Outer Banks is
largely natural and undeveloped along the highway. Tyrrell
County should work to preserve this increasingly uncommon
circumstance that is very appealing to visitors.
The open, rural appearance of Highway 64 is appropriate
but commercial clusters inside the town limits district are
important to tourists and .local residents alike. Those
clusters should be encouraged to expand, yet stay
concentrated in one spot to provide more one -stop shopping.
The present character of Highway 64 near downtown is

-19-
distracting. It is cluttered with signs, offers no safe
pedestrian access to stores, is out of human scale, and needs
additional sidewalks and trees for microclimate control.
These problems should be corrected if "A New Life for
Columbia....Tourism" is going to succeed.
A commission patterned after the Roanoke Voyages Corridor
Commission should be considered as the mechanism to safegard
the natural approach from the Outer Banks and to clean up the
in -town segment of Highway 64.
B) ENTRANCE TO DOWNTOWN BY CAR
Entrances to the downtown district from Highway 64 should be
as carefully planned with help from North Carolina Department
of Transportation. Old neighborhoods between Highway 64 and
the downtown commercial district presently define much of
Columbia's relaxed, welcoming character and should continue
to do so. There should be two major entrances for the
visitor from Highway 64, a direct route to visitor center
parking and a route through downtown to the waterfront.
These both should be clearly marked, pleasant experiences.
Disruption to existing neighborhoods should be minimized.
IMPACT ON UTILITIES
In addition to the public facilities already outlined, there
will be an increased demand on public utilities. Water and
sewer capacities need to be reviewed and addressed if
necessary. Every effort should be made to have the utility
lines in key locations placed underground whenever possible.
IMPACT ON THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Most development will occur in areas already urbanized but
the revitalization of the waterfront will necessarily impact
areas of environmental concern. The impact of the new
boardwalk and docks must be evaluated by various
environmental regulatory agencies and adjustments made to the
plan for least negative environmental impact.

-20-
ASSOCIATED COMMUNITY NEEDS
A DIVERSE TAX BASE
At the same time the Town prepares to expand its tourist tax
base, efforts should be made to diversify the .economy. Small
industries compatible with the waterfront development should
be sought as well as spin-off art and specialized educational
facilities. The Town will benefit in the long run from an
economy not totally dependent upon either farming or tourism.
This is especially true for low-income, poorly trained
individuals who presently have only seasonal work out of
County.
NORTH EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA
By increasing historically related tourism, Columbia will
attract large numbers of people interested in North Carolina
history. Display panels illustrating important sites
throughout North Eastern North Carolina should form a
permanent exhibit in the Visitor Center and subsequently
increase tourism throughout this section of the State.
Columbia should become a major attraction in the Historic
Albemarle Region and much of the needed promotion could come
from state agencies.
PRODUCTIVE AND FULFILLING JOBS
For those low-income, poorly trained people who work in
seasonal service jobs out of county, the unemployment rate is
more than a statistic. For them, it often means they do not

-21-
have a productive and fulfilling life, that their human
potential is not being realized. For the most part, they
will view the waterfront as a continuation of their neglect,
which has been neither benign nor purposeful. One youth said
"there ain't nothing in it (the waterfront development) for
US. The rich farmers run this County and don't care about
us." Indeed this very serious perception must be addressed
and dealt with by local government.
COLUMBIA MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION
The Town could increase local tourist management capabilities
and support by encouraging a merchants' association. The
merchants' group could identify commercial needs and actively
recruit private investment in Columbia. The group could also
increase and improve the interdependence that will grow
between business on Highway 64 and the downtown district.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
A successful and beneficial revitalization will require an
unusual number and variety of professional consultants to the
Town. Many state agencies provide technical assistance for
the asking. Each should be chosen for.his or her ability to
work with other consultants in an interdisciplinary team,
for their knowledge of their field as it relates to
Columbia's conceptual grasp of the intent and tone of the
waterfront development as defined in this report, for their
ability to involve local citizens in his or her research,
work and implementation, and for their commitment to local
community development. The consultants should be flexible
and able to apply professional expertise sensitively,
appropriately and effectively to help Columbia residents
solve their own problems. Only in this way will.a legacy
result that produces facilities adaptable for local needs,
and helps create a healthier community.

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-25-
FACILITIES, COST ESTIMATES, CONTACTS AND TIME SCHEDULES
I. Facility: VISITOR CENTER
Estimated Cost: $450,000.00
Notes: The Visitor Center should be funded by the
General Assembly. The local delegation including
Senator Marc Basnight, Representatives Vernon
James and Pete Thompson should be notified as
soon as possible of this request. It is
imperative that Columbia and Tyrrell County have
the support of the Department of Cultural
Resources.
Contacts for Assistance:
Senator Marc Basnight
Manteo, North Carolina 27954
473-3474
Larry Misenheimer, Asst. Director
Division of Archives & History
109 East Jones Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611
733-7305
Proposed Time Schedule: A presentation of the Master
Plan should be made to Senator Basnight and Mr.
Misenheimer not later than December 1, 1989.
With their support, a request should be made to
the General Assembly for a $25,000.00 planning
grant in the 1990 Short Session. Funding for
construction of the Visitor Center should follow
in the 1991 Session with the Visitor Center
scheduled to open to the public in the Spring of
1993.
II. Facility: EXCURSION BOAT
Estimated Cost: (Private Vendor)
Notes: Prior to solicitation of a vendor for the
Excursion Boat, several things have to happen.
D.O.T. has to remove a substantial portion of the
old bridge, the boardwalk and marina facilities
need to be in place. The consultants believe the
economic viability of the Excursion Boat is
predicated upon the opening up of the waterway
from Columbia to Somerset Plantation. D.O.T.
should be requested to study this possibility and
estimate the cost of replacing existing bridges

-26-
with elevated short bridges across the canal.
The Excursion Boat could be a barge -like boat
requiring shallow draft and not more than 10 to
12 feet above the water; much like the renown
barges that travel the canals in France and are
extraordinarily popular with tourists.
This request to D.O.T., like that for the Visitor
Center, needs to be a joint request by Columbia
and the Department of Cultural Resources.
Contacts for Assistance:
Ms. Lloyd Childers, Board Member
Somerset Plantation
North Carolina Dept. of Cultural.Resources
Historic Preservation Branch
109 East Jones Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611
733-4763
Secretary James E. Harrington
State Department of Transportation
1 South Wilmington Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611
733-2520
Mr. C.O. White
Division of Highways
Ahoskie, North Carolina
332-4021
Mr. Doug Bowers
D.O.T. Waterways
Wilmington, N.C.
763-5133
Proposed Time Schedule: After presentation of Master
Plan to local legislative delegation not later
than December 1, 1989, a joint request should go
to D.O.T. in January 1990 with letters of support
from Senator Basnight and Ms. Lloyd Childers.
The Excursion Boat should be operating daily
between the Columbia waterfront and Somerset
Plantation in the Spring of 1993.
III. Facility: HISTORIC SURVEY/WALKING TOUR
Estimated Cost: $12,000.00 to $15,000.00
Notes: Matching funds are available by grant for the
survey work through the N.C. Dept. of Cultural
Resources, Historic Preservation Branch.
Funding cycle is once yearly.

-27-
Contacts for Assistance:
Ms. Lloyd Childers, Grants Administrator
Raleigh, N.C.
733-4763
Ms. Drew York
Eastern Office
Greenville, N.C.
752-7778
Proposed Time Schedule: Columbia should apply for the
grant immediately with survey to be accomplished
in 1990-91.
IV: Facility: MARINA
Estimated Cost: (Private Vendor/20-year lease in
exchange for construction)
Notes: After completion of the boardwalk and after
funding for the Visitor Center, a private vendor
.should be sought for the construction of boat
slips. The private vendor will determine the
exact number and size of docks by market
analysis and risk factor in consultation with
The Redevelopment Authority.
Contacts for Assistance:
John Crew
Coastal Area Management
Box 1507
Washington, N.C. 27889
946-6481
Terry Moore
Coastal Area Management
946-6481
Charles Hollis
Corps of Engineers
Wilmington, N.C.
251-4629
Proposed Time Schedule: Docks and marine facilities
will necessarily have to be built after and only
after many of the other facilities are funded
and/or constructed. Costs of docks and their
management have proven to be both expensive
and time consuming for local governments. The
consultants suggest that a vendor/lease
arrangement patterned after Beaufort and Manteo
be pursued by The Redevelopment Authority.

-28-
Perhaps a first phase of docks could be
constructed over the next year, but The
Authority's goal should be to have the marina
facilities in place in the Spring of 1993 to
coincide with the opening of the Visitor Center.
V: Facility: BOARDWALK
Estimated Cost: Phase I - (From Main Street south to
the Visitor Center site)
920 feet of bulkhead $44,160.00
13,440 sq. feet of boardwalk 67,200.00
Total .............. $111,360.00
Phase II -(From Main Street north to the
Gazebo)
750 feet of bulkhead $36,000.00
9,000 sq. feet of boardwalk 45,000.00
Gazebo 9,300.00
Total ............... $90,300.00
Notes: Phase I on the boardwalk should be pursued
immediately. Grants are available from CAMA
requiring but a 10% match if applied for through
the Town of.Columbia. This would require
Columbia to invest approximately $11,136.00
resulting in a $111,360.00 project. The
$11,136.00 match could be a combination of cash
and in -kind services.
Proposed Time Schedule: NOW! (The Authority must
acquire easements 30 feet in width across the
waterfront of each parcel YESTERDAY)
Contacts for Assistance:
John Crew
Coastal Area Management
946-6481
VI: Facility: REALIGNMENT AND EXTENSION OF WATER STREET
PLANTING AREAS ALONG STREETS IN TOWN
Estimated Cost: To be determined by D.O.T.
Notes: After presentation to the local legislative
delegation The Authority should ask Senator
Basnight to request on their behalf that D.O.T.
undertake a study and prepare cost estimates for
this work. The Town of Columbia should request
that D.O.T. accept Water, Main, Broad and Bridge
Streets into their system and construct and pay
for the improvements.

-29-
Contacts for Assistance:
Senator Marc Basnight
Manteo, N.C.
473-3474
Secretary James E. Harrington
Raleigh, N.C.
733-2520
VII. Facility: PARKING
Estimated Cost: $650.00 per space for asphalt on top
of gravel base for off-street parking
lots.
VIII.Facility: BOAT RAMP
Estimated Cost: $40,000.00
Notes: Perhaps the boat ramp could be included in
funding for Phase II of the boardwalk through
CAMA's water access money. Another possibility
is the construction of a boat ramp with
associated parking of the N.C. Wildlife
Resource Commission.
Contacts for Assistance:
John Crew
Coastal Area Management
946-6481
Richard B. Hamilton, Asst. Director
N.C. Wildlife Commission
Archdale Building
512 North Salisbury Street
Raleigh, N.C. 27611
733-3391
Proposed Time Schedule: To be completed in the Spring
of 1993.
IX. Facility: LAND ACQUISITION
Estimated Cost: Following is a list of Tyrrell County's
assessed values of redevelopment sites
A through H.
Site A: Owned by the Town Columbia
Site B: $45,300.00
Site C: $26,500.00
Site D: 5,300.00
Site E: Unavailable

-30-
Site F: 31,800.00
Site G: 8,000.00
Site H: 44,200.00
Notes: The above are taken from Tyrrell County tax
values. Upon examination of recent sales, the
consultants determined that in some cases fair
market value is indeed as much as 2 1/2 times
the assessed value. The Authority should
negotiate individually with each redevelopment
site owner for an option to purchase at fair
market value for a period of 18 months. THE
SOONER THESE OPTIONS ARE ACQUIRED BY THE
AUTHORITY, THE LIKELIHOOD IS LESS THAT PRICES
WILL BE INFLATED BY ADOPTION OF THE MASTER PLAN!
X. Facility: ARTIFACTS FROM ESTELLE RANDALL
Estimated Cost: $25,000.00 to $30,000.00
Notes: Underwater archaeology creates widespread public
interest and significant media attention.
Raising artifacts from the Estelle Randall for
inclusion in the Visitor Center will focus much
needed attention on Columbia. This component of
the Master Plan needs to be pursued by The
Authority with due diligence and enthusiasm. A
member of The Authority should accept
responsibility for insuring that the press is
kept well informed and fed information so that
Columbia may receive state wide attention.
Contacts for Assistance: Funding for this project is
more difficult than the other components. It is
likely that it will have to come from the
General Assembly. With the support of the
Department of Cultural Resources, Columbia
should request funding from the legislative
delegation in the 1990 Short Session of the
General Assembly. The contacts are:
Renee Gledhill -Early
Archives and History
Raleigh, N.C.
733-4763
Mark Wild Ramsing
Wilmington, N.C.
458-9042

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XI. Facility: PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT
WATERFRONT INN, RESIDENTIAL/RETAIL,RESTAURANTS
Estimated Costs: As preliminarily laid out in the
Master Plan, private development costs would
exceed $5,000,000.00.
Notes: $5,000,000.00 increase in the tax base of
Columbia will add a significant annual sum to
the coffers of the town without increasing the
tax rate to the local residents. While the
public investment in public facilities is
substantial, indeed it is a very small
percentage of the overall costs associated
with the Master Plan, the majority of which
will come from private enterprise.
Proposed Time Schedule: Upon completion of the Visitor
Center and associated facilities in the Spring
of 1993, a substantial portion of the private
development should be completed. Attracting
five million dollars of private investment to
Columbia today would be impossible. But as
soon as funding is secured for raising Estelle
Randall, building the boardwalk and Visitor
Center, The Redevelopment Authority should
begin active solicitation of qualified
developers. It would not be unrealistic to
set Spring of 1991 as a goal for signing
agreements with the developer.

"Before I build a wall I'd ask to know
What I was walling in or walling out,
and to whom I was like to give offense..."
Robert Frost, Mending Wall

��/ ""rpla
a

-32-
THE PLANNING PROCESS FOR COLUMBIA
In 1989, governing officials of Tyrrell County and the Town
of Columbia have pivotal decisions to make. The town is
beset with problems: one of the highest tax rates in the
state, an eroded tax base, a useless downtown, haphazard
strip development, racial inequities and economic
disparities.
Yet the town is a pleasant place to live; remote, naturally
beautiful, a rural village with quiet neighborhoods accented
by front porches where neighbors visit. In fact, its
remoteness and small town rural character masks many of the
problems. The quaint and charming downtown is punctuated
with empty stores, inappropriately renovated storefronts,
run down buildings and a neglected waterfront. Unemployment
for lower income residents produces a sorrowful counterpoint
to the faded memories of the early 1900's when Columbia was
the thriving merchantile center of Tyrrell County.
Today, with the help of the Governor's Coastal Initiative
Program, the elected officials are embracing a tremendous
challange to bring new life to Columbia and plan for it's
future.
THE SURVEY
This report describes a single step in the process of
developing a master plan for the redevelopment and
revitalization of Columbia. To develop a plan for the future
that would protect the most valued aspects of the town and
address the most serious problems requires that those valued
aspects and problems be clearly articulated not by just a few
citizens but by a broad cross-section of the community. A
survey was developed and mailed to a sample of people who
represent the feelings of the entire town and county.
The people were asked what things they like and what problems
exist in their neighborhoods and in the town. The results
obviously will be a most important factor in developing a
master plan.
The intent of this report is to summarize the surveys so
elected officials may draw their own conclusions and
participate in the design of Columbia's future.

-33-
RESPONSES
On the following pages are the summaries of responses to the
survey. In each case, the numbers have simply been totaled
for each prescribed category, except where categories were
derived on the basis of similar responses. As examples, in
one question the answer could only be male or female; so the
responses were added up. There were 72 males and 77 females.
But in other questions the categories " natural environment",
"people", and "lack of crime" were assigned by the planning
team after looking at the responses. As an illustration,
"loveable people" and "friendly" meant nearly the same things
and could be classified under "people".
In many cases the number of responses does not total 150, the
number of respondents. In those cases there was no response
written to a specific question on the survey.

-34-
USING SURVEY RESULTS TO DEVELOP A MASTER PLAN
The integration of the results of the written survey
representing the needs and desires of residents to produce a
Master Plan involved direct and indirect strategies. For
example, a result such as 76% of the respondants indicating
that they wish to see Main Street redeveloped, clearly
indicates an area upon which attention needs to be focused.
Another response of 61% stating the closing of stores downtown
as a serious or very serious problem reaffirms this.
Furthermore, in addressing the redevelopment of Main Street we
must be careful to remember the high number of responses (69%)
which indicate that it is the hometown feeling, the
village -like character or the good environment that they like
best about Columbia and Tyrrell County. Clearly, Main Street
is an important part of the physical and cultural environment
for residents and they are concerned about losing it - either
because of economic decline or intense tourism. For these
concerns, the correlation between the needs and values of the
people and the Master Plan is rather direct.
On the other hand, when 69% of the respondants cite local taxes
being too high as a serious or very serious problem, we must
deal with the issue more indirectly. For example, one way to
reduce the tax rate, or at least prevent its increase, is to
increase the tax base. The public facilites proposed in this
report and Master Plan would reduce the risk of private
development and create an environment where there would be
sound reasons for private development to begin to flow into the
area. And, of course, such development would increase the tax
base, indirectly satisfying the desires of residents with
regard to the taxes they pay.
It should be noted here that while the proposed Master Plan
calls for public and private investment and development, the
private development will initially be providing essentials for
increased tourism; the majority of respondants want discount
department stores. The resolution here must come as it does to
any healthy town where a tourist economy is the initial major
goal. With increased tourism, there will come a point at which
enough tourists and townspeople combined in Columbia can
support these kinds of stores which are not essential for
tourism. Responses to the survey indicate that the three main
categories of these stores are discount department store (63%),
supermarket (32%) and fast food (20%). It will be important to
weave these elements into the fabric of the town as set out in
the Master Plan when private development reaches this point and
not let them become superfluous -seeming, strip development.
When available the stores should significantly reduce the
number of people who go out of the county for most of their
shopping (68% of respondants).

-35-
The majority of the respondants want boardwalks and boat docks.
This focus where the town meets the water is in keeping with
the historical integrity of Columbia and other coastal towns of
North Carolina and is also the primary focus of the Master
Plan.
Of the 150 respondants, 114 (76%) indicated they wanted to see
Main Street redeveloped; only 12 respondants (8%) were opposed
to the redevelopment. Therefore, the Master Plan calls for the
realignment of Water Street north of NC 64/264 and for the
extension of Water Street south of NC 64/264. It also provides
appropriate off-street parking, without which Main Street could
never be redeveloped successfully. Small towns typically
regard convenient downtown parking as very important; 37% of
the Columbia respondants already cite it as a serious problem!
A business located in Columbia that would create a significant
number of jobs received a positive response from 85% of the
respondants and the need for new industry and more job
opportunities topped the "serious" or "very serious" problem
list at 77%. A redeveloped Main Street, a marina and an
excursion boat, together with a visitors center, will provide a
significant number of both seasonal and year-round jobs.
The majority of the serious problems tendered by the survey and
interviews have been addressed and incorporated into the Master
Plan with two notable exceptions, drug abuse and the lack of
vocational training. Both of these concerns are beyond the
scope of this project and while redeveloopment. may have
benefits affecting these matters, each is a serious problem
requiring the serious attention of government officials.

-36-
THE COASTAL INITIATIVE COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF COLUMBIA AND TYRRELL COUNTY
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY
[The number of responses to each question is shown of bold type.]
The Coastal Initiative Committee of the Town of Columbia and Tyrrell
County is committed to the development of a Master Plan for the
redevelopment of the Columbia waterfront and the commercial
revitalization of downtown. How do you feel about the need for such a
plan?-87-(58%)agree,-15-(10%)neutral,-25-(17%)d1sagree.
If such a plan is to be developed, it must be based on the needs and
desires of the citizens of Tyrrell County. Please answer the following
questions and share with us any other opinions you might have about the
future of downtown Columbia and the waterfront.
How long have you lived in Tyrrell County?
[Responses were categorized either long or short term.]
-128- (85%) long term (ten years or more)
-22- (15%) short term (less than ten years)
Do you live within the town limits of Columbia?
-105- (70%) no
-43- (29%) yes
What things do you like best about Columbia and Tyrrell County?
[The following responses were categorized to include similar responses.]
-104- (69%) hometown, village -like character, good environment
-72- (48%) nice, friendly people
-9- (6%) lack of crime
-4- (3%) freedom from governmental interference
-2- (1%) good library
-2- (1%) good climate
What
[The
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problems or needs do you consider to
following responses were categorized
(37%) unemployment and lack of jobs
(23%) lack of facilities and guidance
(21%) drugs
(21%) lack of facilities
(11%) high taxes
(9%) inadequate law enforcement organization
(5%) lack of medical facilities
(5%) low salaries
(4%) inadequate schools
(4%) inadequate county leaders
(3%) environmental problems
(3%) crime
(3%) inadequate roads and streets
(3%) mosquitos
be the most serious?
to include similar responses.]
for youth
page 1

-37-
Where do you do most of your shopping?.
-102- (68%) out of Tyrell County
-46- (31%) in town
-33- (22%) in Tyrell County
If most shopping is out of the county, where?
-71- (47%) Edenton
-40- (27%) Plymouth
-30- (20%) Elizabeth City
-10- (7%) Dare County
-10- (7%) Norfolk and Virginia
-6- (4%) Washington
-3- (2%) Greenville
-2- (1%) Chowan County
-1- ( lAi ) Raleigh
What kinds of new stores would you like to see in Columbia?
[Responses of a specific chain store (e.g., K-Mart) were categorized.]
-95- (63%) discount department store (K-Mart, Roses, Ames, etc.)
-48- (32%) supermarket (Food Lion, etc.)
-30- (20%) fast food (Hardee's, etc.)
-6- (4%) good restaurant
-6- (4%) specialty store (antiques, jewelry)
-4- (3%) hardware
-4- (3%) shopping mall
-4- (3%) movie theater
-3- (2%) bowling or skating
-2- (1%) discount drug store (Revco, etc.)
-1- (1%) bookstore
If it were possible, would you like to see the Columbia waterfront
developed with boardwalks and boat docks?
-80- (53%) yes
-39- (26%) no
-23- (15%) not sure
Columbia's old wooden bridge prevents boats, other than small craft,
from being able to go upriver. In the past, the Department of Trans-
portation has wanted to remove the bridge. If economic revitalization
depends on its removal, would you support the elimination of the bridge?
-63- (42%) yes
-56- (37%) no
-26- (17%) not sure
Would you like to see Main Street redeveloped?
-114- (76%) yes
-12- (8%) no
-18- (12%) not sure
Would you like to see a business located in Columbia that would create
a significant number of jobs?
-128- (85%) yes
-8- (5%) no
-7- (5%) not sure
page 2

The following may or may not be a problem in your community. You may
consider some problems to be more serious than others. We would like to know
your opinion about how serious you think these problems are in Columbia.
[Responses marked "serious" or "very serious" on the survey list are
tabulated below.]
-116- (77%) Need for new industry and more job opportunities
-116- (77%) Unemployment
-113- (75%) Drug abuse
-103- (69%) Local taxes too high
-91- (61%) Stores closing in downtown
-88- (59%) Need for downtown revitalization
-79- (53%) Vocational training
-78- (52%) Lack of tourist attractions in Columbia
-77- (51%) The way the town looks
-70- (47%) Need for town planning
-70- (47%) Parks and recreation
-62- (41%) Preservation of historic buildings and sites
-60- (40%) Street paving and maintenance
-56- (37%) Downtown parking
-55- (37%) Playgrounds for children
-50- (33%) Low-income housing availability
-43- (29%) Need for picnic and sitting places
-32- (21%) Zoning
-22- (15%) Need for a boardwalk on the waterfront
-15- (10%) Racial discrimination
-10- (7%) Traffic congestion
These last few questions are only for statistical purposes in order to insure
that we have a cross-section of the population.
Are you-72-(48%) male or-77-(51%) female?
Are you-12-(S%) black,-134-(89%) white or-1-(l%) other?
What is your occupation?
[Responses were categorized to include similar occupations.]
-45- (30%) retired
-32- (21%) office worker/management
-21- (14%) laborer
-17- (11%) housewife/home maker
-9- (6%) self-employed
-8- (5%) farmer
-4- (3%) professional
-1- (1%) student
Where do you work?
-45- (30%) in Tyrrell County
-29- (19%) in town
-4- (3%) Edenton
-4- (3%) Washington
-3- (2%) Dare County
-3- (2%) Plymouth
-1- (1%) Elizabeth City
-1- Norfolk
page 3