This project is to repair sewer lines in the area of Bloomery Swamp off of NC-42 area.  The Lower Bloomery Swamp Sewer Improvement project consists of the construction of a new 24-inch sewer outfall to replace an existing 18-inch sewer outfall. The existing 18-inch sewer outfall is failing due to age. The replacement of the existing sewer main will result in decreased inflow and infiltration, and lower the probability of sanitary sewer overflows. Additionally, the service capacity of the sewer main will increase allowing the continued growth within the service area.

The City of Wilson was awarded $3.2 million from the State of North Carolina in February 2023 to further implement the Hominy Creek stormwater plan. The funding will allow the city to construct two water quality parks adjacent to the Hominy Creek Greenway and an underground water storage system near Wilson Fire/Rescue Services Headquarters on Hines Street.

City officials have been working for several years to reduce flooding and improve water quality in Hominy Creek, which runs nearly 10 miles through the center of Wilson. The city created the Hominy Swamp Restoration Plan (Category 4b Plan) in 2019 to address needed improvement in the waterway. The plan has three strategies: reducing pollution that enters the creek, managing stormwater and limiting its impact on the stream, and restoring natural areas along the stream and swamp areas. If the city did not address these issues, federal authorities could force development restrictions in the surrounding area.

Effective stormwater management benefits residents and city infrastructure. Alleviating flooding concerns for property owners provides more stability during the severe weather that often affects Wilson, and keeping streets from flooding means city infrastructure isn’t degraded from high- and fast-moving water. Additionally, slowing the flow of water limits erosion which is beneficial for fish, animals and microscopic organisms that must be present for a healthy stream.  

Hominy Creek is classified as an impaired waterway, and the city’s Stormwater team is working to remove it from that list. Many different factors lead to the impaired waterway marker  – for Hominy Creek the issue is related to sediment pollution, caused by the high-speed water flow that happens during storms. The City has taken several steps to improve the stream including stabilizing the stream bank to reduce erosion. The city’s innovative approach to improving the stream has attracted attention from state and regional water quality organizations, and the department has been awarded nearly $12 million in the last several years, including this competitive grant award. In 2022, the statewide Stormwater Managers Conference was held in Wilson.

The project timeline is in development with no exact dates available at this time. This grant funding must be spent by 2026.

Hominy Creek Greenway Master Plan: https://www.wilsonnc.org/home/showpublisheddocument/586/636707389448970000

Category 4b Plan: https://www.wilsonnc.org/home/showpublisheddocument/4706/637867471941800000

The Wilson City Council authorized the purchase of the former Wilson Mall at its meeting on October 20, 2022. The purchase price is $3 million. The redevelopment of the mall property has been a long-time target of the City Council, and the infusion of funding through the American Rescue Plan Act made it possible.

The current owners, Hull Property Group, will retain the outparcels, including the movie theater. Several buildings on the outparcels will be demolished to make way for new development. The city’s portion includes approximately 45 acres. Specific plans for the property are not available, yet city officials said they are eager to begin exploring options for the property.

Commercial redevelopment was announced as one of the primary targets when ARPA funding priorities were announced in February 2022. City staff was able to renew negotiations with Hull Property Group once the additional funding was available.

The city is planning a park at the north end of the property near Parkwood Drive. In addition to recreation, the park will be focused on water quality features to improve flooding concerns in the area. City staff is now pursing grant funding for aspects of the park and redevelopment of the remaining property.

PROJECT TIMELINE

Many details about future use of the property are unknown at this point. 

Once the purchase was authorized, the property entered a due diligence period that was expected to last until February 2023. The city will take ownership of the property at the end of the due diligence period and once the real estate closing is complete, which we expect to take another 30 days. We expect the closing to be complete by late Spring 2023. No changes can be made to the property until the city owns it. No timeline has been set for any building demolition. 

During the due diligence period many things will occur including inspections, legal reviews, and environmental review.

Wilson will soon be home to the largest pickleball complex in eastern North Carolina. 

The $4.2 million facility will include six uncovered pickleball courts, eight covered courts including two championship courts for tournament play and will be located at Gillette Athletic Complex. The city hopes to attract pickleball tournaments that would bring visitors who would spend money at local hotels and restaurants.

The new complex will include a covered shelter, a small building to house concessions and an office and restrooms. A half-mile walking trail will encircle the courts. The facility will be located near the baseball fields.

The facility was designed after Wilson Parks and Recreation Department leadership visited several of the most popular pickleball facilities in the country. Two of the largest pickleball facilities are in Florida, with Naples, Florida serving as the home of the US Open Pickleball Championship, a tournament that attracts more than 25,000 people to that area.

Pickleball’s popularity in Wilson has skyrocketed since three courts were added at Rotary Park in 2019. Nice days often draw crowds waiting more than an hour to play. The sport is a great option for older people to stay active with less chance of injury, yet the rules of the sport encourage inter-generational play, too.

City Council approved two contracts for the construction at its meeting on August 117, 2023. Owens Construction Company was awarded the contract for nearly $2.4 million for site development, pickleball courts, plaza, drainage, and water and sewer. ABCO, Inc. was awarded the contract for $1.5 million for the covered pickleball court structure and concession building.

The facility is expected to open in late 2024. 

Repairs to Fleming Stadium were completed ahead of the 2023 season. The City Council approved repairs to Fleming Stadium not to exceed $300,000, per a recommendation by the engineering team, subject to a new lease with the Wilson Tobs.

Exciting upgrades are coming to Reid Street Community Center in 2023. With recently-added additional grant funding, nearly $1.9 million will be invested at Reid Street Community Center. Nearly $400,000 will be used for parking improvements and front building façade improvements. The remaining funding will be used for outdoor facilities in the area behind the center. 

Planned improvements include: 

1. New Walking path
2. Two Concrete basketball courts
3. Picnic Shelter near basketball courts and ballfield at the rear of the property
4. Both pools will receive new concrete decks, and drainage issues will be addressed as well as improving landscaping
5. Shelter in the pool area for rentals and programming
6. Update the streetscape along Reid Street
7. Install a road that connects Academy and Gold Street with parking
8. Install Turnaround at the end of Academy Street for better access to back of park 
9. Add a playground in the back of the park and replace the existing playground. 

“These improvements will do the same thing for Reid Street as the improvements at Rotary Park did for the former Cavalier park. There’s a lot of pride in the community in this facility, and these improvements will ensure the community will get more use here.” Said David Lee, Parks and Recreation Director. 

Completion of the entire project is expected by Fall 2025, with minimal impact on pool season and summer programming. It's important to note that federal funding requirements and procedures could impact the project timeline. Get ready for a transformed Reid Street Community Center!

Project on pause at this time. Renovation plans include additional walking trails, a paved road, a playground, bathrooms, and a picnic shelter.

The specially-designed baseball field is equipped to give children with intellectual and/or physical disabilities the recreation opportunities to enjoy the great game of baseball that our Wilson City Little Leaguers have been enjoying for years.

Play began in October 2023.   

Construction is underway on the All-Children's Splash Pad at Gillette Athletic Complex. The city received a $400,000 Accessibility For Parks grant from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority to build the splash pad. Construction began in early 2024 and will be complete by Summer 2024. 

The splash pad will include water elements for children, including special features for children with physical or intellectual disabilities. The splash pad is located near the All-Children’s Playground and Miracle Field. 

“The splash pad will be a great addition to Gillette Athletic Park and will complement the Miracle Field and All Children’s Playground," said Wilson Parks and Recreation Director David Lee. "This area of the complex will be a great destination for children of all abilities and needs.”

UPDATE 4/23/2024

Construction is underway on the new downtown stadium. We will continue the Farmers and Artisan Market, Gig in the Park concerts and many other events in their current locations during construction. We will provide updates on construction activity every few weeks or when any significant changes happen.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW?

The first phase of construction is relocating the water, sewer and stormwater lines in the area. Currently these lines run through what will be the outfield, so we need to move them to the perimeter of the stadium. Work will begin on Wednesday, April 24 and is expected to last about a month. Many factors are involved in this work and conditions could change rapidly. We do not expect any interruptions to water and sewer service for customers during this work.

Goldsboro Street (Whirligig Park side) Work begins on Wednesday, April 24 and is expected to finish on Friday, April 26. Portions of the street will be closed during this time. Additional closures will be coming soon.

Goldsboro Street (Post Office side) Work begins on Wednesday, April 24 and is expected to take 3-4 weeks. Portions of the street will be closed during this time.

 We are also working through the process of demolishing the buildings that are in the stadium footprint.

STREET CLOSURES

Goldsboro Street (Whirligig Park side) Work begins on Wednesday, April 24 and is expected to finish on Friday, April 26. Goldsboro Street from Barnes to Hines will be closed. Additional closures will be coming soon.

Goldsboro Street (Post Office side) Work begins on Wednesday, April 24 and is expected to take 3-4 weeks. Goldsboro Street from Walnut to Hines will be closed.

PARKING

Street parking is not available on Goldsboro Street near the Whirligig Park during the road closure 4/24-4/26. Parking for the Gig in the Park concert is available at the parking deck, in the lot behind Casita Brewing Co. and all other lots in downtown.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The buildings in the stadium footprint will be demolished soon. The stadium groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 9 at 10 a.m.