Carolina Beach reviews options for pier project alternatives - StarNewsOnline.com
When a few Carolina Beach officials meet with state delegates and staff next month, they'll first ask the most pressing of questions: Will the state finally sign the agreement to build the proposed N.C. Aquarium pier in Carolina Beach?
Then, depending on the answer, they'll show alternative site plans – that will be designed by next week – excluding the pier and ask the state for at least some support in building a beach access, park or parking lot.
Alternative ideas and their constraints were laid out Monday night at a joint meeting of the town council and the town-created nonprofit CBP3 Inc,, which owns the $4.3 million in property purchased almost two years ago in hopes the state would build the third state pier in Carolina Beach.
"We went out on a limb," Town Manager Tim Owens said. "We need help salvaging what we have."
Because of state budget crunches, the pier project is on hold and state officials have not signed their end of an agreement to build it in the future.
But the town is left covering the debt on the Carolina Beach Avenue North properties and will likely pursue other options if the state doesn't move forward soon.
They could build a parking lot, a park or a beach access. Or officials could decide to sell some lots, including one of the two hotels on the property, for residential development.
But several development limitations exist because of setback restrictions, zoning regulations and rules on renovating buildings in a flood zone.
For example, the properties would need to be rezoned to a residential district if they were sold to developers who wanted to build single-family homes or condos.
Mayor Joel Macon and Councilman Dan Wilcox will join Dennis Barbour, a director of the town's nonprofit, in meetings with state representatives. Because the meetings won't include a quorum of council members, they won't be open to the public.
Owens cautioned that it has been hard for the town to get answers from the state.
The town has received $250,000 in state grants so far that can be used for an oceanfront beach access, and the town is searching for other grants to help pay the debt on other properties, Owens said.
Meanwhile, the town must figure out how to maintain and manage the two hotels – the Guy Johnson Motel and the Surfside Motor Lodge – sitting on the properties. The town council, at its last meeting, directed CBP3 Inc. to set the terms of requesting proposals to manage the hotels.
Outer Banks-based Village Realty & Management Service Inc., pays CBP3 $57,000 annually to manage the hotels and has requested a four-year extension to a contract with the town's nonprofit, which expires in December.
The town has the option of seeking out proposals that would rake in more money to pay for insurance, taxes or upgrades to the hotels.
CBP3 Inc.'s board of directors will meet at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the terms of the proposals.
Shannan Bowen: 343-2016
On Twitter: @shanbow
27 Sep, 2011--
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