Wilmington City Council met Tuesday night and began with several proclamations. First they honored a group of students from Strasbourg, France.
“The City of Wilmington, North Carolina officially honors Strasbourg, France students and their families for their humanitarian efforts demonstrated by raising $7,300 to assistt families in Wilmington who were displaced after Hurricane Florence in 2018,” Mayor Bill Saffo said.
They also recognized state Senator Michael Lee for his legislative achievements.
“This man, this senator, every time we’ve called him about any particular issue, he’s always taken our call and worked tirelessly for the citizens of this community,” Saffo said.
And finally, recognized the upcoming honor flight of the Cape Fear area, joined by two veterans, among them former Wilmington Mayor Don Betz.
“The City of Wilmington extends its deepest appreciation to those who stood every ready to make the ultimate sacrifice upon the altar of freedom,” Saffo added.
Council also gave the go-ahead for the Downtown Business Alliance to use Chestnut Street between Second and Third streets for alcohol service during their inaugural Downtown Alive Concert Series. The DBA plans a fifteen-week span of concerts featuring a mix of local musicians and regional touring bands. The concerts will be held on Saturdays from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m., beginning on Memorial Day weekend and running through Labor Day weekend.
The next phase of the Wilmington Multi-modal Transportation Center will get underway soon after Council awarded a $3.14 million construction contract for the renovation and adaptive re-use of the former Thomas Grocery building at 525 North Fourth Street for dedicated MPO office space. The majority of the funding comes from the NCDOT with contributions from the City and County.
In what will be the largest single stormwater project in the City’s history, Council awarded a $7.71 million construction contract for phase 1 of the Clear Run Branch and College Acres Drive Drainage Improvements Project. This extensive project will alleviate flooding, stabilize the stream, improve water quality, and prevent further erosion along Clear Run Branch. It is also the first step toward eliminating flooding along New Centre Drive.
For more on this meeting you can go to wilmingtonnc.gov. City Council will meet again on Tuesday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m.