LETTER FROM MAYOR PRO TEM OLIVER ON ISLAND GREENWAY FEASIBILITY STUDY
To the Citizens of Kure Beach;
The Town Council of Kure Beach approved and supported the development and completion of a North Carolina NCDOT Funded Feasibility Study for the extension of the Island Greenway from Carolina Beach (Alabama Avenue) to the Fort Fisher Ferry Terminal. The grant applicant was officially the East Coast Greenway Alliance with the Town assisting in the grant application. Our Council requested included in the grant application that Dow Road, Settlers Lane and all existing surface streets be evaluated.
The East Coast Greenway is an adopted State Trail that runs from Maine to Florida. Please click here to visit their website. The State of North Carolina has adopted the East Coast Greenway as a State trail.
So, what’s involved in a Feasibility Study? An outside firm (Alta Design & Planning) was hired to research and evaluate options that will map out the best and most feasible route for the proposed trail. To begin this process a scope of work was finalized, and a steering committee was formed to evaluate the process and represent all aspects of the study. Alta included 3 citizens that represent the interest and concerns of the property owners along Settlers Lane, 2 members of the KB Bike/Ped Committee, State Parks, State Aquarium, Fort Fisher Museum, NCDOT, WMPO, MOTSU, a member of the Carolina Beach Bike/Ped Committee and myself as a representation of Town Council.
On September 6th, an information gathering event was held, to hear the initial concerns and questions for the proposed routes of the study. Admittedly there was some confusion as to what was being presented that night. Many of our citizens felt that they would be able to review a completed study, many felt the determination of the best possible route had already been determined.
I hope this will help you understand where we are in the study with the following information provided that night. Here is the information presented by Alta that maps out the process for the completion of the study in the spring of 2024. Open House Boards
The Town Council of Kure Beach has made a commitment to following the process and review in a public meeting the desires of the Citizens of Kure Beach. The council encourages citizen involvement and positive communication in hearing all the concerns and comments of all our citizens. As a Council we have not made any decision except to see the study to completion. We all have our personal opinions as do many of our Citizens. As a council we have to listen to the concerns of all and make our decisions on what is in the best interest of the Town. We have the difficult task of looking at all the needs of the town and prioritizing all projects that is in the best interest of everyone.
Regardless of your position, I encourage you to stay involved and attend the next public meeting that will be scheduled in the Spring of 2024.
Yours Truly,
Allen Oliver, Mayor Pro Tem
Town of Kure Beach