Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corporation
2010 Program of Work

PROJECTS

Riverwalk and Downtown Open Space Improvements
Objective: completion  of the 1.5-mile Riverwalk recommended in the 1977 Downtown Central Business District Revitalization Plan and  Riverwalk Master Plan, funded with a NC Cultural Resources grant, adopted by the City in 2008, to link downtown parks and attractions and serve as a catalyst for attracting visitors and private investment opportunities.  

Progress To date:

• Sidewalks in three blocks of privately owned historic homes (Queen to New Street) along East Front Street were designated in the Master Plan as a part of the Riverwalk and were incorporated into the New Bern Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan.
• The City received Coastal Management Waterfront Beach Access grants to develop a walkway in a park-like setting at the end of Queen Street and in the space at the end of Pollock Street connecting with a privately owned tract.
• Adjacent to the Pollock Street Park walkway, the tract’s owner granted an easement to the City and constructed a promenade in character with the promenade at Union Point Park.
• The City is in the process of obtaining an easement from two private property owners to the south of the Pollock Street Park to construct a walkway along the Neuse River shoreline, several feet from the bulkheads of the two properties connecting to the Union Point Park promenade.
• The Riverwalk is included in the New Bern Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan adopted by the City in 2009.
• Completion of the public pedestrian connection as a part of the NC History Education Center project along the southern portion of the property connecting to the Riverwalk, will be completed mid-summer 2010.
• Allison Platt & Associates designed a concept plan (pro-bono) for a park on a narrow tract of City land at the end of Broad Street from East Front to the Neuse River as a public green space to include benches, tree lighting and 30’ sculpture commissioned by a New Bernian as a 300th gift to the City which the City approved in 2005. The sculpture commission fee and installation cost being funded by the New Bernian is approximately $150,000. In addition, the estimated cost to develop the actual park at the end of Broad Street is $135-150,000.

Swiss Bear Action Plan:

• Continue to explore funding sources as a naming opportunity for development of the park on City land at the end of Broad Street.
  
  
  

River History Park
Objective: The River History Park on Jack’s Island in Lawson Creek Park will provide an interesting destination/attraction as a terminus of the Riverwalk featuring artifacts that reflect New Bern’s maritime history.

Progress to date: The City is storing the ship-hauling machine, a massive artifact, Swiss Bear acquired from Maola Milk Company in 2007, to be re-assembled and displayed in the Maritime Park. Cost to construct base and reassemble the artifact is estimated at $25,000.

• Engineers completed the design work (pro bono) for the concrete base required for the hauling machine.
• The Fairfield Harbor Yacht Club raised $8,000 to purchase and install a Sailing Ship’s Step Mast flagpole on Jack’s Island as a tercentennial gift to the City.
• DOT is storing artifacts from the Cunningham Bridge including the large swing span gear for placement in Jack’s Island.
• Allison Platt & Associates is designing a plan (pro-bono) for the River History Park on Jack’s Island to include the swing span gear from the old Cunningham Bridge, an anchor, ship-hauling machine, ship’s step mast and other maritime artifacts (stored for Swiss Bear by DOT and the City) to be reviewed and approved by Thurman Hardison, Director of Recreation and Parks.

SB Action Plan:

• Obtain cost estimates and look for funding sources to cover the cost of developing the park as defined in the concept plan.
  
  
  

Pedestrian Footbridge
Objective: Construct a timber footbridge from the City’s property on Walt Bellamy Drive over Lawson Creek connecting to the existing wetlands walk to give boaters at the Marina and History Park easy access to downtown New Bern and all its attractions.

Progress to-date

• Acquired a BIG grant from the US Fish & Wildlife Service for the footbridge, one of the elements of the proposal. The footbridge’s share is 33% ($155,100) of the estimated total cost.
• The Harold H. Bate Foundation awarded Swiss Bear a $64,900 grant for the pedestrian footbridge.
• The NC Division of Fisheries, Swiss Bear’s interface with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, forwarded the BIG proposal to the NC Department of Cultural Resources for Compliance Review.
• The footbridge project was submitted to the Down East Rural Planning Organization (RPO) for inclusion in NCDOT’s Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) in the Bicycle and Pedestrian category. The draft TIP will be released in late February.
• At the US Fish and Wildlife Services’ request, Swiss Bear contracted with Tidewater Atlantic Research of Washington, NC who conducted an underwater archeological survey, completed in January 2010.
• Tidewater Atlantic Research recommends additional investigations be conducted at the north end of the proposed bridge alignment to identify an unknown mass of significant material by probing the anomaly or relocate the alignment of the footbridge to avoid the mass.
• Swiss Bear is meeting with local engineering firms to obtain bid estimates to design the footbridge and acquire required permitting.

SB Action Plan:

• Hire Tidewater Atlantic research to do an archeological target survey and report with data analysis to meet the recommendation from the state Historic Preservation Office ($5,500 to be funded from Harold H. Bate Foundation grant).
• Hire an engineering firm to design the 900-foot pedestrian timber bridge and work with CAMA on permitting.
• Fund the design phase with grant money awarded to Swiss Bear in 2008 by the Harold H. Bate Foundation.
• Submit a request to remove the footbridge from being incorporated into the BIG proposal to be free to apply for grant funds from state or federal sources, such as NCDOT, which is prohibited under the terms of the BIG grant.
• If the request to remove the project from the BIG proposal is approved, apply for NCDOT Enhancement grant monies in the Bicycle and Pedestrian category when the design and permitting phase is completed.
  
  
  

Marina and Transient Boat Slips
Objective: Develop New Bern’s first public transient marina, catering exclusively to non-trailerable boats, up to 40’ in length, for visits of up to ten days, accommodating 14 boats.  Ensure the navigational safety of the waters around the planned marina.

Progress to-date:

• City committed to a partnership with Swiss Bear to build, operate, and maintain fourteen boat slips for transient, non-trailerable boats on the Trent River.
• The City hired Realty Services of Eastern North Carolina, Inc., who appraised Jack’s Island and adjoining marsh estimated to be $677,000 to use as the City’s contribution in the BIG proposal.
• In the City’s support letter submitted with the BIG proposal, the City committed to contribute riparian rights on publicly owned waterfront property (conservatively estimated at $677,000) for the construction of the 14 boat slips; to provide financial oversight as required and requested; to provide assistance with permitting and construction supervision as required and requested; make available City owned facilities for transient boaters utilizing the docks; assist in the development of a marina management, marketing and maintenance plan and be the lead agency responsible for the management of the marina.
• In April 2009, the US Fish and Wildlife Service awarded Swiss Bear a BIG grant of $646,650, funding approximately 47% of the total project estimated to be about $1.3 million. The remaining project cost must come from non-Federal sources. Reimbursement from BIG requires at least a 50% match.
• A business plan has been developed in draft form.

SB Action Plan:

• Continue to explore funding sources and submit grant proposals to Foundations and government agencies including the Gold Leaf Foundation.
  
  
  

Herbert C. Bonner Ferry
Objective: Acquire/lease the retired Herbert C. Bonner Ferry, one of the last built in New Bern, from NCDOT. The ferry would be a permanently moored vessel and share a fixed dock with the marina, providing an attraction for parties, concerts, social activities and engine room and bridge tours.

Progress to date:

• Numerous meetings with Ferry Division and DOT, City officials and committee members led to DOT’s decision to moor the vessel at Cherry Branch and gift it to the City if arrangements can be worked out by 2010.
• A basic mooring concept was developed to the Ferry Service’s satisfaction.
• A business plan was developed to cover ferry lease and maintenance costs.
• A non-profit corporation was conceived as a means of operating and maintaining the ferry and By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation prepared.
• In 2009, the Attorney General advised the Ferry Division, DOT cannot donate anything of street value, but can lease items. The Ferry Division recommended a 30-year lease at $7,000 (a total of $210,000) a year to cover their investment. They would overhaul the Bonner, provide spud collars and spuds, and deliver the vessel to New Bern for an estimated cost of $210,000. This cost would not include any steel replacement on the bottom, if needed, or the cost securing the vessel after delivery.

SB Action Plan:

• Not feasible to pursue further due to the current economic and political climate.
• Notify the DOT Ferry Division Director of the Swiss Bear Boards decision.
  
  
  

Bryan-Fordham Cemetery
Objective: Restoration of the crumbled cemetery walls of this historic small abandoned cemetery located on Queen Street, while providing a unique educational experience to Epiphany School students.
Partners for this project are: Swiss Bear (project management), New Bern Preservation Foundation (funds management), the Epiphany School Pepsi Cola Kids History Club (historical research) and NC Cultural Resources (Historic Preservation).

Progress to date:

• Students conducted historical research on the cemetery and those interred in it.
• The Pepsi Cola Kids raised $1,000 in a fundraising drive.
• Grants and public contributions raised to date ($16,750) anticipated to cover restoration costs. 
• Cemetery clean-up days held periodically.
• The History Club won two statewide awards for this project.
• Cracks and missing bricks repaired and reproduction bricks selected for rear wall construction.
• Overhanging trees threatening the graves removed from the adjacent lot.
• The leaning sidewall and front walls hydraulically straightened.
• Currently soliciting bids for the re-construction of the rear wall.

SB Action Plan:

• Hire a contractor to reconstruct the rear wall.
• Complete the project with the addition of a new gate, landscaping and signage.
• Rededicate the cemetery and identify a steward who will be responsible for its perpetual care.
  
  
  

Bear Plaza Chessboard
Objective: To construct a large chessboard in the back rear area of Bear Plaza as a cultural asset. Existing bricks replaced with appropriate blocks to create the board. The large outdoor board would add a bit of Bern, Switzerland’s culture as an interesting amenity.

Progress to date:

• Plan for the chessboard project developed by a local architect (pro-bono).
• Meetings held with Thurman Hardison, Director of Recreation and Parks (R&P), who is supportive of the project.
• R&P agreed to put the chessmen in the area during the day and store them each night at Union Point.
• R&P agreed to provide in-kind labor to construct benches placed near the chessboard.
  

SB Action Plan:

• Review draft plan and estimated cost with Thurman Hardison for his approval.
• Raise funds to pay for materials (fundraising chairs in place).
  
  
  

Brownfields Assessment Project 
Objective: City will use grant monies from the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) to assess properties for contamination and potential clean up. The project goal is to remove barriers to redevelopment on properties in Five Points, River station and along Broad Street by identifying Brownfields with redevelopment potential, characterizing and /or removing environmental liabilities, increasing awareness of properties and their condition and increase awareness of programs and incentives for development.

Progress to date:

• City is establishing a Brownfields Steering Committee (BSC) to assist with outreach activities and provide input into the process of identification and selecting properties for assessment.

SB Action Plan:

• Appoint a Swiss Bear representative and an alternate to serve on the ad hoc Brownfields Steering Committee to attend and participate in monthly meetings.
• Responsibilities: suggesting sites to be included in the Hazardous Substance or Petroleum site inventories; assisting with selection and ranking of sites to Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments; assisting with development of a detailed plan of community involvement activities.
  
  
  

Five Points Revitalization Committee
Objective: To promote revitalization of the Five Points area that has many vacant and underutilized properties along Broad Street from First to East Front Street, particularly significant now with Broad Street a major gateway to the downtown. In addition, residential areas to the north and south of Broad Street, west of the downtown are distressed and in need of renovation and/or replacement of substandard housing.

Progress to date:

• Urban Design Plan with a focus on the Broad Street corridor, Five Points and the River station area completed in 2000.  Many of the UDP revitalization strategies and recommendations are still relevant.
• City is doing or has made a large investment in the Five Points area, renovating and building new housing with block grant money, constructing the Police and Fire Station, and purchasing and renovation of the First Citizens Bank for city utility services.
• Five Points Revitalization Committee (FPRC) was organized by the City with representatives from area organizations and agencies that met monthly through March of 2009.
• FPRC commissioned an up-date of the 2000 UDP Five Points Marketing Plan. The Market Opportunities Assessment and Strategic Plan was completed by Randall Gross/Economic Development in March 2009
• City awarded US EPA Brownfields grant
  

SB Action Plan:

• Work with the Uptown Business & Professional Association and City Planning Department to reconvene the Committee and utilize the Market Opportunities Assessment & Strategic Plan to develop a preliminary action plan and prioritize projects.
• Assist the committee in identifying and promoting properties available for development.
• Assist the committee with recruiting potential businesses and investors to the Five Points area.

Wayfinding Sign System
Objective: Construction and implementation of a comprehensive sign system to guide visitors into the greater downtown area, picking up where highway signs end, working together to create an uninterrupted series of messages. The signs provide directions to, and visibility for, key visitor attractions and destinations and enhance the visitor experience. The Riverwalk Master Plan, Lanier Parking Solutions Downtown Parking Report, Downtown Retail Recruitment Strategy and the Craven County Tourism Strategy all cite the need for a comprehensive signage system as a high priority to get visitors to their destinations.

Progress to date:

• Wayfinding Sign System designed by Mortar&ink, Columbia, MD was a component of the 2008 Riverwalk Master Plan funded through a NC Department of Cultural Resources grant.
• The document includes a Summary Analysis Report, development drawings, installation plans, bid documentation and assistance, installation location plans and instructions to bidders as required by the City.
• The estimated cost to complete all phases is $228,000.

SB Action Plan:

• Continue to work to secure funding for construction and implementation of a comprehensive sign system.
  
  
  

Restoration of the F-11 Grumman
Objective: Restore the F-11 Tiger Aircraft on display on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to its original Blue Angel colors and relocate the jet for public display to a prominent location in Lawson Creek Park. The aircraft was dedicated to the City of New Bern in 1973 by General Paul Fontana, Commander of MCAS Cherry Point, in recognition of the close relationship between the City and MCAS Cherry Point. It is an important historic artifact and symbol of the importance Cherry Point and our armed forces have to the quality of life in our community.

Progress to date:

• F-11 Committee formed in 2005
• In 2006, the Board of Aldermen favorably received the preliminary relocation plan presented by the Committee.
• In 2007, the City (Public Works) agreed to arrange for transportation of the jet to the Fleet Readiness Center (FRC) in order to utilize assets available at the air station to refurbish the jet.
• FRC provided the initial quote for labor and facilities for actual painting. Materials paid for from funds raised privately (approximately $20,000).
• MAG-14 agreed to recruit volunteer manpower from local squadrons and MALS-14
• FRC agreed to provide a facility required for pre-painting preparation and painting.
• Criteria was met for the jets restoration and the City passed a resolution requesting a partnership with FRCEast, Cherry Point to assist in refurbishing the jet, since no local providers have a paint booth large enough to accommodate refurbishment of the aircraft.
• Swiss Bear received donations and financial commitments of $10,700 including $2,500 from the Noon Rotary Club.             
• The Department of the Navy, National Museum of Naval Aviation Loan Manager made a site inspection in the fall of 2009 and voiced concerns to the Assistant City Manager about the jet’s deteriorated condition. She requested a specific timeline for the renovation of the plane. If renovations are not completed in a timely manner, the National Museum of Naval Aviation will require the City to return the aircraft to the National Museum of Naval Aviation at the City’s expense.
• Following up on that meeting, the City (Public Works) took measures to seal the broken cockpit glass to protect the interior of the aircraft from rainwater.
• On January 27, 2010, Danny Meadows, the Assistant City Manager responded to the correspondence from the Loan Manager outlining the progress to date and felt confident the City would address the issues in the near future, copying the Mayor, Board of Aldermen, Interim City Manager and Swiss Bear Director.

SB Action Plan:

• Schedule a meeting with the Board of Aldermen and Mayor, provide a progress report and work with the City to develop a strategy to restore and relocate this historic public artifact to a prominent location.
  
  
  

Commemorative Plate
Objective: To collaborate with VIETRI in the design and manufacturing of a commemorative charger as a high quality keepsake for New Bern‘s 300th Anniversary. Inspired by New Bern’s architecture and rich history, the plate was hand molded and glazed to depict the history of the City. Proceeds benefit Swiss Bear.

Progress to date:

• Worked with VIETRI CEO in developing a design for the plate depicting New Bern’s history.
• Developed a business plan.
• Hired  a person to assemble boxes and prepare gift boxes for the plates.
• Inventoried the shipment upon arrival.
• Contacted merchants re: selling plates on consignment, advertised in several publications.
• Met with VIETRI CEO to evaluate plates that were considered seconds; were credited for shipping and the cost per plate.
• Fifty-two sold to date through Swiss Bear and retailers, three given as gifts.   

SB Action Plan:

• Continue to sell the plates.
• Three hundred twenty five reserved for sale to the NC Symphony Dinner Committee.
• Do not reorder inventory.
  
  
  

Board Member Recollections and Swiss Bear’s History
Objective: Tape-record the memories and recollections of the many board members who have been involved in major projects over the past 30 years. The recordings would expand Swiss Bear’s large collection of archival material since the late 1970’s. The ultimate goal is to hire a person with the proper credentials to write a book documenting New Bern’s downtown revitalization effort and the importance of public private partnerships.

SB Action Plan:

• Develop a list of major projects and meet with the people involved.
• Meet  and record the conversations.
• Contact the universities and Department of Cultural Resources for recommendations on individuals that may have the credentials to write a book capturing New Bern’s the downtown revitalization effort. 

Main Street Carolina – Digital History Mapping Project
Objective: Work with UNC Chapel Hill undergraduate students in the American Studies Department on a pilot digital history-mapping project that would provide Swiss Bear with a way to display a wide variety of content about our downtown at the turn of the century from our website, downtownnewbern.com. The project will highlight a selection of successful restoration/reuse projects of buildings built or in use between 1890 – 1913 that are on 1898, 1908, 1913 Sanborn maps.

Progress to date:

• Project Coordinator, Main Street Carolina, UNC Chapel Hill, contacted the Executive Director in mid-November inquiring if our organization would be interested in having a student project focus on our downtown and described the project.
• Executive Director met with Dr. Robert Allen, American Studies Department in late December to discuss the project further and Swiss Bear’s responsibilities as a participant in the pilot project.
• Swiss Bear identified 12 potential downtown projects/commercial buildings that fit their criteria.
• Contacted our website manager and confirmed this project can be incorporated into our website.

SB Action Plan:

• Provide research, photos if needed, provide and scan information on projects so it can be digitized.
• Students will research the buildings use for over the past hundred years and incorporate the information into the website.
• Students from American Studies will present the pilot project to the Swiss Bear board in April or May.
  
  
  

EVENTS

30th Annual NC Main Street Conference
Hosted and coordinated the 30th Annual NC Main Street Conference and Awards Banquet in late January 2010, organized tours of major projects and presented New Bern’s award-winning downtown revitalization story.
The event attracted 400 elected officials, main street managers, board members and interested citizens from across the state, highlighted New Bern’s revitization effort, offered sessions on issues important to revitalization efforts and had an economic impact… waiting for numbers from the Convention Center.
Swiss Bear and the City received an award at the Awards Banquet for the Best Public-Private Partnership.

Swiss Bear’s 30th Anniversary Banquet (April 22)
Organize Swiss Bear’s 30th Anniversary Banquet to celebrate Swiss Bear and downtown revitalization effort that has taken place over the past 30 years. The evening will be a time to celebrate measurable accomplishments, the unlimited number of workable partnerships among the private and public groups, a time to thank the many businesses, government officials, organizations and citizens at large who have worked hard over the past 30 years to prove downtown development is not only viable and achievable, but also the right thing to do.

MUMfest (October 10-11)
Produce the two-day award winning event in cooperation with the City and County, local organizations, and area businesses. MUMfest, New Bern’s major signature event, highlights the City’s assets, community spirit, and promotes tourism by attracting 80,000+ visitors to the downtown area. Additionally, MUMfest proceeds are used to fund Swiss Bear’s operating budget. The International Festival & Events Economic Impact Study, conducted in 2003, reported the direct and indirect new money economic impact of MUMfest was $3,873,695, and a retention economic impact of $1,287,917.

Fundraising Campaign
Conduct a direct mail campaign to raise funds for Swiss Bear projects.

OUTREACH

Business Development
Work with investors, developers, real estate agents and people who are interested in investing or opening a business in the downtown area providing information, marketing, retail, UDP studies and other related business information.

Community Support
Executive Director serves on boards and committees and attends meetings that promote and enhance the downtown effort and make presentations to various organizations, community groups and cities.

300th Committee and New Bern Celebration Group
Work with and support the 300th Committee in the planning and development of activities and events and the New Bern Celebration board in soliciting funds for the City’s year-long celebration in 2010.

Downtown Business Council
Work with and support the Council in their promotions and projects to attract shoppers and visitors to the downtown area.