WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – The Wilmington City Council on Sept. 3 approved a workforce housing agreement, putting money down for its office lease to the U.S. government, and more.
Entering an agreement to put $4 million toward affordable housing proposal
Avenue Flats is a proposed affordable housing development from Blue Ridge Atlantic Development that would put 184 units of affordable housing on 6.46 acres at 507-525 S Kerr Ave. for people with incomes ranging from 30 to 80 percent of the area median income. Rents would range from $486 to $1,800 depending on the number of bedrooms and tenant income, and twenty units would be ADA accessible.
Council members unanimously approved using $4 million in affordable housing funds to agree with Blue Ridge Atlantic Development, with $3.15 million appropriated from the general fund for gap financing on the development.
To live here, people must make between 30% and 80% of the average median income.
Councilman Luke Waddell says this is an inclusive range that will hopefully house many people.
“I’m in favor of this project, I don’t think we’ve seen this large of a range of AMI and 100% workforce — I don’t think since I’ve been here — so it’s nice to see,” said Councilman Waddell.
Clayton Hamerski with the Cape Fear Housing Coalition agrees.
“Well, this is a great project. It’s 100% affordable, and so that’s really rare in and of itself,” said Hamerski.
Though all council members were on board with the project and its mission – Councilman Kevin Spears had some concerns about the traffic at South Kerr and Kimberly Way.
“Certain times of the day that intersection is nuts. There’s no other way for me to describe it. 4:30, 5:00, it’s gonna be gridlock, right there,” said Councilman Spears.
Developers say they will consider his concerns.
Neighbors, however, say the benefits far outweigh the traffic impacts.
“We have approximately 30,000 people who work here, who contribute here, who commute here because they cannot afford to live here, and I’m pretty sure that they’re willing to sit in traffic for a couple extra minutes to do it.”
Hamerski with the housing coalition, expressed his satisfaction after the unanimous vote.
“People are starting to understand that this is a real problem and that it’s a solution is within reach, we just have to act on it. So, yeah, we’re excited to see stuff like this happen,” said Hamerski.
$1.8 million to start work on office space to be leased to the federal government
As part of the lease approved to let the U.S. Government Services Association use 7,921 square feet on the fifth floor of 115 N. 3rd Street, the city approved moving $1.8 million to use as an initial budget for making improvements on the floor.
“In order to lease the facility, the City must provide improvements to the building and parking deck that are expected to cost approximately $1,800,000, based on initial estimates. Of that total, approximately $600,000 would be amortized for the ten-year initial term of the lease, with the remaining amount to be reimbursed to the City upon delivery of the space to the GSA for occupancy, which is currently expected to be January of 2026,” the agenda item states.
Updates to multi-use path plans
Councilmembers approved a resolution letting the city manager apply for grant funding from the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization for the S 17th Street Multi-Use Path Project.
The project includes a multi-use path along 17th Street from Hospital Plaza Drive to Independence Boulevard. The city is applying for $2.4 million in funding while providing a local match of $600,000.
For a section of the Greenville Loop Trail Multi-Use Path, the council will consider approving a resolution to file condemnations to acquire easements for the project. To do so, the city will be using $468,580 in funds from a transportation bond.
Similarly, the city council approved changing a condemnation action for the Hooker-Hinton Multi-Use Path project to obtain a permanent drainage easement as opposed to just temporary construction easements. The cost will be another $104,975 to the Clerk of Superior Court and it is already funded by the WMPO Surface Transportation Block Grant Program.
You can find the full meeting agenda on the city’s website.
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