Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in New Bern, NC public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
30 issues in development
Trent Court redevelopment adjacent to MSD
The Housing Authority approved a contractor to demolish Trent Court (13 buildings), the first step in an eight-year, roughly $100 million rebuild of 440 affordable housing units nearby, with green space and phased construction starting with fencing in December.
Children's Museum of New Bern entrance renovation
The Children's Museum is converting the old firehouse side entrance into a glass-and-aluminum storefront, aiming for a December opening. The city owns the building; the museum leases it.
Housing Authority / Habitat for Humanity Partnership
Habitat wants to buy nine commission properties at a reduced price and build three houses at a time. The commission put eight lots on the sellable list, effectively setting aside its own earlier development plans for those streets.
Adding 722 Third Ave to Sellable Lots List
Marvin Berry asked the commission to put the vacant lot next door at 722 Third Avenue on its sellable lots list. That would open it up for purchase by private buyers. No decision is confirmed.
Disposition of Redevelopment Parcels (First Avenue, Mechanic Street, Bloomfield Street, Sampson Street)
Agape Adams and Yellow Creek both plan homes in a 100-year floodplain, raising homes 8.5 feet with tiered grading. Commissioners flagged runoff concerns for neighbors and tabled the Mechanic Street bid until drawings arrive.
Yellow Creek Enterprise Property Requests and Upset Bids
The board was scheduled to consider selling five city-owned lots: 1407 Lincoln Street, 1503 Garden Street, 703 W B Street, 1103 Biddle Street and 1131 H Street, plus a deed with Habitat for Humanity for 2208 Hartford Avenue.
Properties Sold After Upset Bid Process
An upset bid came in on the Mechanic Street property at the request of Agape Adams. The commission was to accept or reject the bid resolution — no outcome is known.
Choice Neighborhood Initiative (CNI) Grant
New Bern's Housing Authority won a $25 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant — reportedly the smallest city ever to do so. Aldermen credited years of citizen input, staff work, the board's financial commitment, and earlier lobbyist efforts. The 922 Pollock Street rezone ties into this project.
Weyerhaeuser Rezoning and Development Agreement
Three massive rezonings totaling roughly 1,245 acres would open Weyerhaeuser land west of Greenbrier to commercial (C-3) and dense residential (R-6) development, tied to an annexation and development agreement with the city. This is the biggest growth decision New Bern has faced in years, and the aldermen make the final call — possibly November 10.
Long-running demolition by neglect at 221 E. Front St.
One of the city's longest-running demolition-by-neglect cases, dating back to the 1990s or earlier. The update notes real progress: windows repaired and reinstalled, temporary roof covering along the parapet, and a two-story wood porch being rebuilt with exact replacement — plus a repointing COA application coming soon.
Demolition by neglect at 221 E. Front St.
A downtown building has been in demolition-by-neglect status since the 1990s. Slow but steady repairs continue — windows, roof covering, and a rebuilt two-story porch — with a repointing application expected soon.
Historic preservation awards program
Nominations are open for the city's historic preservation awards and close September 30. The chair urged anyone considering a nomination to submit one soon.
Formal violation at 215 Pollock St.
A modern metal roof installed without a certificate of appropriateness, with a stop work order violated back in 2019. The city attorney is currently pausing the lawsuit to let the owner pursue the contractor.
Avenues/Duffyfield affordable housing redevelopment
Residents are asking about closed streets (West Street, Fowler's Lane, East Rhodes), an insecure fence around a retention pond next to a daycare, and dilapidated housing. The workgroup wants more transparency and resident education from the city.
Galloway Road Sewer Extension
A 72-acre parcel outside the city limits gets city sewer for a five-lot subdivision, with annexation expected to follow soon.
710 New St. demolition and infill
Two vacant lots at 717 and 719 New Street are slated for new one-and-a-half-story houses. The commission was scheduled to hold hearings on whether the designs fit the historic district's character before any construction can move forward.
Historic Dryborough owners support
The commission reported on efforts to support owners in the Historic Dryborough area, a historically significant community.
COA application backlog
Zero new minor COA applications came in that month, but 24 applications are sitting waiting for information from applicants — a sign the pipeline is clogged on the applicant side, which can slow down home and business improvement projects in the districts.
Unpermitted window alterations at 306 Metcalf St.
Windows were installed without a certificate of appropriateness and don't meet standards, following an October 2024 complaint. A notice of violation letter was expected to go out soon.
Downtown sound system
The MSD advisory committee was scheduled to hear a proposal for a downtown sound system from Stonehaven Sight & Sound. Such a system could serve downtown events and announcements, and any funding would likely come from municipal service district revenues paid by downtown property owners.
Brownfields Grant and CDBG Activities
New Bern gets $240,314 in federal CDBG money — about $20,000 less than last year — mostly for streets and sidewalks in low-to-moderate income areas, plus roof replacements and utility assistance.
Annexation and Commercial Development of 4095 E US 70 Hwy.
Two US 70 parcels owned by Magnolia Investors were annexed into the city (Ward 3) with a water/sewer agreement in hand; commercial development with about 5,150 gallons of daily water demand is planned.
Redevelopment Commission's Future
The board debated whether to keep the Redevelopment Commission, absorb its affordable-housing mission, or reset it with clearer goals. It postponed an appointment and will hold a joint meeting before deciding.
Demolition of historic houses at 710 New St. and 811 Pollock St.
Two separate requests would tear down historic two-story houses in the historic district and replace them with new two-story infill homes. These decisions determine how much of the district's original building fabric survives.
Torrance Chapman Property Request
Resident Torrance Chapman requested commission action regarding a property, with photos submitted for review.
821 West Street Purchase
The staff report was to cover the E Street closure, transmission of a resolution to the surveyor for parcel unification and county registration, and interest from two parties in the property.
Federal Alley and riverfront improvements
State grant-funded upgrades to Federal Alley (sidewalk, art, lighting) move forward with agreements with two property owners, plus a 15-year license letting the Doubletree hotel build riverside deck seating the public can use.
Shriner's Temple site redevelopment — parking lot amendment
Craven County is converting most of the former Sudan Temple at 403 E. Front St. into a parking lot, keeping only the monumental front entrance with new masonry, landscaping, lighting, and fencing. The commission approved the missing details but required traditional wood fencing rather than the proposed white vinyl.
Bloomfield Property Purchase
A resolution was scheduled for consideration to buy back the Bloomfield Properties. Whether it was approved is unknown.
West A. Street / E Street closure status
The staff report was to cover the E Street closure, transmission of a resolution to the surveyor for parcel unification and county registration, and interest from two parties in the property.