| WDI Board Members Tour New Convention Center |
 On Friday, April 30th, WDI Board Members toured the new convention center, now in final stages of completion. The convention center will serve as an economic catalyst for the northern downtown riverfront, creating new jobs, increasing our tax base, and attracting other new businesses. WDI Board Members were impressed by the progress, and agreed that the convention center is beneficial for downtown economic development. Photo by Alison Lee Satake. |
| Wilmington Ranked #9 on the Top 10 Recreation Cities Nationwide |
 According to Triangle Business Journal, Wilmington ranked ninth on the Top Ten Recreations Cities list. Triangle Business Journal is a publication of American City Business Journals, the nation's largest publisher of metropolitan business newspapers. This ranking came from a study by the Web-based research firm RelocateAmerica.com. Click here to view the full article. |
| New Crosswalk Installed at South Third & Ann Streets | |
In cooperation with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Residents of Old Wilmington neighborhood association, the City of Wilmington has installed a new marked crosswalk across South Third Street at Ann Street. Equipped with a special lighting system, the crosswalk is activated by pedestrians to warn approaching drivers of the presence of a pedestrian in the crosswalk. Please obey the 35 MPH speed limit when driving along South Third Street and remember to yield to pedestrians. It is illegal to pass another vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian in the crosswalk. The fine for violating these laws is $100.
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| Community Stakeholder Work Session to Assist the City Council on ABC Permits |
Date: Tuesday, June 8th
Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: Thalian Hall
Meet with Wilmington Downtown, Inc. (WDI), City of Wilmington leadership and other stakeholders to develop a new policy for how the City of Wilmington will recommend approval or denial of ABC Permits within the Central Business District of Downtown Wilmington. This meeting follows the 2009 WDI Nightlife Task Force Report, the Wilmington Police Department White Paper on Nightlife Issues of 2008, and various other city departments' input. Among the issues to be discussed will be how to handle permit applicants, location issues, density of private clubs (bars), capacity of clubs, legislative initiatives, solid waste, public nuisance issues and other public safety related issues arising from having a vibrant nightlife. This meeting will be a work session in the historic ballroom of Thalian Hall, also known as City Council Chambers on the second floor. |
| Featured Property of the Month |
 Tom's Building at Front & Market 1 N Front Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 Sale Price: $950,000 Listing Firm: Maus Warwick Mathews Listing Contact: Charlie Rivenbark Contact Telephone: (910) 791-0400 Contact Email: charlie@mwmrealestate.com To view other available properties, click here! |
| Featured Business of the Month |
 Bloomers Floral Design 122 South Front Street, Old Wilmington City Market
Downtown Wilmington's most unique florist! Custom floral designs, delivery to Leland and Wilmington. Visit Bloomers for unusual gifts, one-of-a-kind greeting cards and gorgeous jewelry. A Google Favorite Place!
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| Graffiti Removal | |
WDI has chemicals and cleaners needed to remove graffiti from properties. If you are interested in using these supplies, please contact John Hinnant by email or at (910) 763-7349. |
| WDI Seeks Board Members for 2010-2011 |
WDI is accepting applications for at-large positions for its 2010-2011 Board of Directors. The thirty seven member board includes representatives of civic organizations, governmental bodies, professional groups, and members of the community at-large.
WDI is looking for board members who have an interest and skills in business recruitment, business retention, quality of life issues, long range urban planning, downtown promotion, events, fundraising, and organizational development.
If you are interested in submitting your name for nomination and willing to actively participate in a dynamic working organization, please send a letter or resume stating your interest and reason for serving to:
Gene Merritt
Deadline for submitting applications is June 4th. The election will take place at the organization's annual meeting in June.
For more information, please call (910) 763-7349. |
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WDI was formed in 1977 as a public/private partnership between New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington, with the remainder of the organization's funding coming from private donations. Less than 1/3 of our funds come from the city and county combined. Our total budget is $300,000 and office salary stays below 1/3 of the overall budget. We remain good stewards of the public trust and we do not operate in the red. For the upcoming year, we plan to concentrate our efforts on the following initiatives:
- Developing Incentives for Historic Preservation
- Improving Management of Nightlife Issues
- Implementing a Downtown Ambassador Program
- Establishing new park space in the CBD
- Retail & Office Recruitment
- Business Retention
- Better collaboration with our Economic Development partners in the region
Sincerely,
John Hinnant Executive Director Wilmington Downtown, Inc. P.O. Box 2235 Wilmington, NC 28402 Phone: 910.763.7349 Fax: 910.343.6950 Email: john@wilmingtondowntown.comMobile App: m.wilmingtondowntown.com |
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| Fire and Spice Gourmet Kitchen Shoppe Grand Opening | |
The "Fire and Spice Gourmet Kitchen Shoppe," located on the parking lot level of the Cotton Exchange, will host it's grand re-opening celebration on Tuesday, May 4th at 9:45am. Activities include a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by Mayor Bill Saffo and wine tasting highlighting regional wines and food samples in the afternoon. For more information, please call (910) 762-3050 or email thc@ec.rr.com. |
| Wilmington Restaurant Week Spring 2010 |  |
The most delicious week of Spring is April 28th through May 5th! Thirty participating restaurants, from favorite lunch spots to fine dining establishments, in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach offer special prix fixe menu selections or discounts. Click here to access menus and to print passes (required) for restaurant week specials. |
| Downtown
Ambassador
Program
Informational
Meeting | | Informational meeting on the Downtown Ambassador Program and Municipal Service District, featuring representatives from Downtown Greensboro, Inc. and Downtown Raleigh Alliance.
Q & A session will follow. | |
Friday, May 7th at 128
South Events located at
128 South Front Street
Breakfast and Networking
from 7:30 to 8:30am; meeting to begin at 8:30am.
Please RSVP by May 3rd by email or by calling (910) 763-7349. |
| Annual Downtown Sundown | |
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The 5th Annual Downtown Sundown Concert Series kicks off on May 21st with Sleeping Booty. For a full list of shows and dates, click here. Volunteers needed; contact John Hinnant at (910) 763-7349 for more information. |
| Thalian Hall Events | | | After major renovations, Historic Thalian Hall Center For The Performing Arts in Wilmington's Downtown District will host the 'Gala Reopening' series of events beginning with two black-tie receptions on May 14th and 15th. To purchase tickets, click here. Other performances throughout the month of May include The Madness of May, There's No Business Like Show Business, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. For more information on these shows and others, click here. |
| Downtown Ambassadors |  |
WDI is still accepting applications for Downtown Ambassadors. For more information on the program or to fill out an application, visit http://downtownambassador.com. |
| Ann Street Bicycle Boulevard Bike Train | |
Date: Saturday, May 22nd
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Meet on Ann Street at South 15th Street at 9:45am. Bike Train will leave at 10:00am and travel west down the Ann Street Bicycle Boulevard. Final destination is Riverfront Farmers' Market. Participants will be entered into a drawing to win a gift card to the Farmers' Market.
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North Carolina Sociable City Forum | | Downtown Wilmington has been selected as a host for the North Carolina Sociable City Forum, a unique one-day forum for state and local leaders to share strategies on how to plan, manage and police hospitality zones in downtown districts. The Sociable City Forum is organized by the Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI), a private non-profit organization and leading North American expert on nightlife. The forum will be held on Friday, June 18th at Thalian Hall. Registration is required to attend. Please click the links below for additional information. | |
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| 2010 Cape Fear
Comedy Festival |  |
Nutt Street Comedy Room and Comedy by the Beach are proud to present the 2010 Cape Fear Comedy Festival: Wednesday, May 26th through Saturday, May 29th. The festival will feature comedians from all over the country performing stand-up, sketch and improv comedy. For information on accommodations and tickets, click here. |
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