Title
Resolution to Establish a Steering Committee Framework for the Greater Downtown Special Area Plan
Body
LEGISLATIVE INTENT/PURPOSE:
WHEREAS, the Planning and Development Department is actively working on a Greater Downtown Special Area Plan for the City, which includes all neighborhoods located within the circa-1945 corporate limits of the City to replace multiple neighborhood and special area plans previously adopted by the Council; and
WHEREAS, on September 19th, 2023, the Wilmington City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a professional services agreement in the amount of $350,000 with Agency Landscape + Planning, L.L.C. (“Agency”) and subconsultants to assist Staff in the development of the Greater Downtown Special Area Plan; and
WHEREAS, the plan includes four distinct phases: Frame Key Questions; Dream Big; Create a Roadmap; and Approve and Enact the Plan; with community engagement a continuous thread throughout all phases and already underway; and
WHEREAS, a Steering Committee, made up of city staff, community partners, and Greater Downtown residents and business representatives, is vital to effective engagement of the community and direction of Staff during plan creation, as well as during implementation following adoption of the plan; and
WHEREAS, the Steering Committee shall be tasked with providing overall project direction, assisting in identifying relevant stakeholders and community engagement opportunities, serving as a liaison between the project team and the various groups they represent, reviewing draft plan language, and providing guidance on the implementation of the plan.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
THAT, the Wilmington City Council hereby establishes the Wilmington Greater Downtown Special Area Plan Steering Committee to be composed of twenty-three (23) members as follows:
1. One resident from each of the following geographic areas. A call for applications is hereby initiated for review and nomination by the Appointments Committee.
a. Downtown Core (Central Business District, North Waterfront, and Sweeney)
b. Historic Wilmington (Historic Wilmington, Brooklyn Arts District, and Dram Castle)
c. Northside and Love Grove (Northside, Love Grove, and Soda Pop District)
d. Dry Pond and The Bottom (Dry Pond and The Bottom)
e. Southside (Southside, South Front, Greenfield, and Industrial)
f. Streetcar Suburbs (Carolina Heights/Winoca Terrace, Carolina Place/Ardmore, and Delgado)
2. One member appointed by the Commission on African American History
3. One member appointed by the Historic Wilmington Foundation
4. Two representatives from the faith-based community. A call for applications is hereby initiated for review and nomination by the Appointments Committee.
5. One member appointed by the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County
6. One member appointed by the Wilmington Housing Authority
7. One affordable housing developer. A call for applications is hereby initiated for review and nomination by the Appointments Committee.
8. One member appointed by Wilmington Downtown Inc.
9. One member appointed by Downtown Business Alliance
10. Three developers working in emerging districts within the greater downtown area. A call for applications is hereby initiated for review and nomination by the Appointments Committee.
11. One member appointed by North Carolina Ports
12. One member appointed by Cape Fear Community College
13. One member appointed by New Hanover County Schools
14. One member appointed by the City of Wilmington Police Department
15. One member appointed by the City of Wilmington Fire Department