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Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for a $17,500,000 Grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration FY2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program, Which Includes a Required Local Match of $3,500,000, for the Riverfront Bulkhead Replacement Project
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Department:
Engineering
Meeting Date:
4/7/2026
Contact Name:
Wim Combs
Public Hearing:
No
Contact Phone:
910-341-5896
Advertising Date/Advertised By:
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment #1: Resolution; Attachment #2: FEMA Disaster Declaration Map; Attachment #3: EDA Grant Presentation
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this resolution is to authorize the City Manager to apply for the FY2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program from the U.S. Economic Development Administration ("EDA") in the total amount of $17,500,000, which includes $14,000,000 from the Program and a 20% required grant match of $3,500,000 from the City, for the design and construction of the Riverfront Bulkhead Replacement Project ("Project").
BACKGROUND:
The Wilmington Riverwalk is a vital economic, tourism, and transportation asset for Wilmington and the surrounding region, supporting small businesses, waterfront access, and multimodal connectivity along the Cape Fear River. However, a 500-foot segment between Princess St. and Chestnut St. is currently closed due to infrastructure degradation, creating a gap in the corridor that disrupts pedestrian connectivity, limits access to nearby businesses and destinations, and reduces activity along the historic riverfront. The deteriorating infrastructure also poses risks to adjacent utilities, environmental resources, and the safe public use of the riverfront.
Restoring this segment will replace failing infrastructure, improve safety and accessibility, and reestablish a continuous waterfront corridor that supports small businesses, strengthens tourism, and enhances public use of the riverfront. The Project will also improve infrastructure reliability, reduce risk to nearby assets,...
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