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Home My WebLink About149-98 OVERSIZE PLANSIMPROVEMENTS PLAN City Of Wilmington, North Carolina June, 1984 CITY COUNCIL William Schwartz, Mayor Donald Betz E. A. Bordeau Irving Fogler Luther H. Jordan, Jr. Edward A. Pate Robert D. Shipp CITY MANAGER William B. Farris DIRECTOR OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMt,NT Arcelia Wicker, Sr. PROJECTSTAFF Michael L. Hargett, Project Director Alvin G. McCollum, Project Engineer Artis R. Bryant, City Real Estate Officer Garland Meadows, Superintendent of Parks Lynne Williams, Management Analyst GRAPHICS Althea H. Cole SECRETARIAL Dorothy M. Chavious 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 Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, which is administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanicand Atmospheric Administration. _F J(0F J:IVF JUL V , ,•, DIvISION OF COASTAL MANAGEMENI Overview Coastal seaports throughout the country are rediscovering the diverse potential of their urban waterfronts. Accompanying this rediscovery has been increased emphasis on improving public access to this unique resource. Revitalized waterfronts provide an excellent setting for leisure activities and are a proven stimulus for private investment in downtown areas. Numerous local plans and studies have recognized the need for improved access to the river. The most recent of these is "Wilmington Looks to the River - A Plan for the Redevelopment of the City's Riverfront" adopted by City Council in August, 1982, The plan specifically identifies a riverfront walkway ;Is a means of addressing the access issue. Provision of the walkway was further identified as a priority activity and as such was included in the plan's Action Agenda. In the Spring of 1983, the City applied for and received a planning grant under the Coastal Area Management Act to assist in pe)forminga study to locate, plan fog; design and estimate costs for a riverfront walkway. This Improvements Plan summarizes study findings and presents a program of improvements to achieve a continuous walkway linking public and private development in the downtown riverfront area. STUDY AREA ANALYSIS For purposes of detailed analysis, the study area boundaries were defined as Cape Fear Technical Institute on the north, Front Street on the east, the Memorial Lift Bridge on the south and the Cape Fear River on the west. A numer of existing and expected conditions were examined in relation to the proposed walkway. These analyses are summarized individually as follows: Ownership - Property record research was performed to determine current ownership, total assessed value, present use and most recent sale date. This information was transferred to maps of the study area for use in evaluating alternative walkway alignments. The information also provided a reference source for contacting affected property owners. Utilities - System maps were prepared for water, sewer, electric power, telephone and cable television service in the area. Applicable departments were also consulted regarding planned improvements to city utilities. This informa- tion identified potential physical constraints in the design of the facility as well as possible corridors for the walkway alignment through the use of common easements. Land Use - Existing and proposed development was identified and mapped based on applicable plans and ordinances, existing data sources, field survey and interviews with private developers and city officials. This analysis provided the basis for identifying linkages between the walkway and existing and proposed development in the study area. The analysis also aided in determining appropriate physical attributes for the various segments of the walkway. Existing land use is depicted on the map below; future development is reflected on the Improvements Plan on the reverse side. Streetscape - Review of available data as well as extensive field inspection was performed to familiarize project team members with streetscape elements of the stucly area. Recognition of strengths and weaknesses related to this factor influenced the type and range of imporvements included in the walkway. Minimal improvements were identified for interesting or aesthetically pleasing areas while the need for more substantial improvements was identified in vast, sterile or unsightly areas. Circulation/Parking - The focus of this analysis was on identification of directional flow and volume of traffic, condition of existing facilities, pedestrian/vehicle conflicts and access to parking facilities. Correcting deficiencies in pedestrian facilities and making more effective use of existing parking were important considerations in the design of the walkway. Site Visits - Waterfront improvements in several eastern North Carolina cities were toured by project team members to obtain a first-hand look at structural design, compatibility with adjoining areas and the impact on downtown revitalization. While conditions differed from those in Wilmington in some instances, many similarities were observed. Ideas anal experiences offered by representatives in the areas visited proved to be very worthwhile in developing plans for a facility locally. To augment on -site visits, available literature regarding waterfront development throughout the country was also reviewed. Advisory Group - An advisory group comprised of representatives from private business, non- profit preservation and business promotion organizations and government was formed to assist in developing plans for the walkway. The group provided input at the outset by identifying the range of issues and needs the project should address. Individuals were consulted on ley issues throughout plan development and preliminary plans were reviewed by the group as a whole. Input and review from appropriate city operations was sought at various stages of plan development.