title
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for the Future Downtown Trail Phase 1
body
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Department: |
WMPO |
Meeting Date: |
3/18/2025 |
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Contact Name: |
Abby Lorenzo |
Public Hearing: |
No |
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Contact Phone: |
910-341-7890 |
Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
N/A |
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Attachments: |
Attachment #1: Resolution |
PURPOSE:
Attached for your consideration is a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (“NCDOT”) for the future Downtown Trail Phase 1. The MOU is the result of a coordinated design effort between the NCDOT Rail Division and the City of Wilmington to identify a conceptual layout to accommodate both the proposed trail and future passenger rail tracks and platforms within the NCDOT owned corridor between 3rd and McRae Streets. The MOU details the understanding reached between NCDOT and the City of Wilmington regarding the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and use of the future Downtown Trail Phase 1 to date, and outlines the responsibilities for each party in the progression and development of the Downtown Trail Phase 1.
BACKGROUND:
The Downtown Trail was identified in the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Comprehensive Greenway Plan in 2013 as a 5.9-mile, multi-use path providing connection between Downtown Wilmington, and the parks and neighborhoods east of Downtown to Forest Hills. Ranked as the top priority project within this plan, benefits of the proposed trail include a dedicated bicycle and pedestrian facility that will provide a safe means of connectivity to transit and other Downtown amenities for traditionally underserved communities within the Northside and Love Grove Neighborhoods. A Master Plan for a half-mile segment of the trail, between 3rd and McRae Streets and known as the Wilmington Rail Trail, is proposed within the NCDOT-owned rail corridor. The plan was developed collaboratively with the NCDOT Rail Division, and adopted by City Council in 2021.
Phase 1 of the Downtown Trail is an approximately 1.7-mile segment beginning at 3rd Street downtown within the NCDOT-owned rail corridor to McRae Street (defined in the Wilmington Rail Trail Master Plan); abutting the Dorothy B. Johnson Elementary School western parcel line; traversing east along CSX right-of-way to Archie Blue Park; and continuing north through Archie Blue Park, parallel to the creek and terminating at the Love Grove Bridge multi-use path facility.
The City received federal Direct Attributable (“DA”) funding from the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (“WMPO”) for design of the Downtown Trail Phase 1 in 2021, with design efforts beginning in late 2022. In early 2023, NCDOT Rail Division indicated the preference for the trail’s alignment within the NCDOT owned corridor between 3rd and McRae Streets to be its final location, accommodating future for passenger rail service in the corridor.
To assist the City in determining the trail’s final location, NCDOT Rail Division engaged a consultant to develop a conceptual design for a track layout and platforms for future passenger rail service. Through coordination with the City’s design team, a final layout for the corridor that included both trail and track was identified and has been agreed upon for trail design purposes by NCDOT Rail Division and the City of Wilmington.
budget
BUDGET IMPACT:
N/A
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Passage of the resolution is recommended.