History of Wilmington

The Historic Wilmington Foundation is concerned about the North Carolina Department of Transportation's plans to replace the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, as the project could negatively affect the Wilmington Historic District. They are evaluating three replacement alternatives with varying vertical clearances and impacts. Alternative B, a 135-foot fixed-span bridge, poses the most significant risk, potentially requiring demolition of historic buildings and negatively altering the area. The organization advocates for Alternative C, a 100-foot fixed-span, because it fits within the existing footprint, minimizes impact, and meets current navigational needs, especially given the waterway's depth restrictions. They argue that focusing on a higher bridge clearance is unnecessary due to existing depth limitations, which already hinder larger vessels. The foundation suggests acquiring the old Kinder Morgan site for future development instead of prioritizing a high bridge that could harm the historic district.