Downtown 'destination'
High-end marina will be highlight in first phase of northside development

By Josh Spilker

The proposed downtown marina next to the convention center seeks to be a cultural attraction, according to the developers with Riverfront Holdings II.

"We want to create a destination-type feel," said Chuck Schoninger, a partner with Riverfront Holdings II, citing similar marinas in downtown Charleston. With a proposed hotel overlooking the marina and with retail and residential components, the developers believe downtown Wilmington will be poised to succeed in the yacht market.

"I think it's a good idea. In an area like that, a shopping area, a planned development, during the tourist season for any boat that you see docked there, you're going to get at least seven people downtown to look at them. "Just the boats down there draws people. It's a big advantage, because a lot of boat people want to be seen," said Jack Morrow, a boating industry specialist with the Small Business Technology and Development Center (SBTDC).

The developers believe that they are uniquely positioned to attract yacht traffic that is passing by Wilmington and not stopping.

"This is kind of a halfway point for a lot of people," Schoninger said, with Wilmington as a destination between Cape Cod and Ft. Lauderdale. "It's an additional location for people to hang out."

There seems to be interest from the boating community. Marilyn Mower, the editor of Florida-based Southern Boating Magazine said she has had events in Wilmington, but stayed in Southport with her boat.

"If you wanted to come on your boat, you'd want to be in that historic district, because it's cute," Mower said. "If you're a transient boater, the only place you can be is south of the bridge. It doesn't have the ambience of the historic district."

Mower said that she has specifically avoided Wilmington because of its lack of a suitable marina with entertainment and adequate docking facilities.

"Twice I've passed Wilmington and went to Southport on purpose, because I knew I could find good protective dockage and restaurants within walking distance," Mower said.

The marina is currently permitted for more than 200 slips, which is the largest in the Wilmington vicinity of the river. According to Robb Mairs, a field technician with the Division of Coastal Management, the next marina of that size along the river is Southport Marina, which also has about 200 slips.

Other marinas along the Cape Fear River include Cape Fear Marina north of downtown, at 75 slips and Watermark marina. The Seapath Marina on Wrightsville Beach has about 190 slips, according to the marina's website.

Mike Bradley, Boat Services Director for the North Carolina Small Business Technology and Development Center, says that Wilmington is the only city in North Carolina with all of the pieces to make the concept work well.

"Wilmington has the most likelihood of any North Carolina destination to have a deep destination, high-end, yacht-serving marina," Bradley said. "You've got the restaurants, nightlife, and the stuff that makes it work, especially entertainment and taxi cabs." New Bern does have a similar marina already in place. The Sheraton New Bern Hotel and Marina also has about 200 slips, and can handle boats up to 60 feet, according to their marina office.

Repair facilities are also crucial, and Bradley said Wilmington now has those services as well, such as the Gregory Poole Marine Service Center (formerly Champney Marine).

"You have competition, and then you have repair, and then you have the city, and then you have the airport," Bradley said. "It's a critical mass of recreation and repair, and Wilmington is about to open that door."

Bennett Brothers Yachts, a custom yacht builder north of downtown welcomes the possible increase in traffic.

"I think having more slips downtown is nothing but a positive and a boost for the economy," said Tricia Bennett, owner of Bennett Brothers. "We'd love to see them filled with a waiting list, that would be great for downtown."

Riverfront Holdings II hopes that the marina will create momentum for the rest of the project, which will take 15 to 20 years to complete. It will include restaurants, commercial, and more residential spaces."We'll complete the Vision 2020 project with our plan," Riverfront Holdings II partner Steve Shuttleworth said. "From bridge to bridge."