Our Area.

Downtown Wilmington, like so many other downtowns across America, fell into disrepair and disrepute in the 1960's and 1970's, a victim of suburbanization. Buildings became vacant with adult bookstores and seedy bars emerging without much public protest.

Fortunately, however, a handful of civic minded residents recognized that revitalization of the city's core was key to preserving its rich history as well as its future. It was 1976 when DARE (Downtown Area Revitalization Effort) was founded and although renamed as Wilmington Downtown, Inc., this organization has been instrumental in encouraging businesses to return downtown and in landing key federal grants earmarked for struggling urban centers.

In present day Wilmington, many of the buildings are mixed-use properties containing retail, office and residential space. Wilmington's compact and walkable central business district contains approximately 3 million square feet of occupied space, office-institutional space and 500,000 square feet of commercial-retail space.

Wilmington has achieved one of the early goals envisioned by the downtown pioneers. As longtime resident and downtown business pioneer Bob Jenkins recalls, "We wanted to go back to living, working, and playing downtown."

Today the downtown is home to many upscale restaurants, art galleries, theatre opportunities, festivals, and open art markets. The collaboration of civic minded developers, small business owners, and residents who believed in their hometown's potential have created an enviable downtown that other reviving North Carolina cities look to as a shining example of what is possible.

Wilmington can look to its future as the cultural, commercial and governmental center of the Cape Fear region while preserving its historic charm and unique urban identity.

Current Downtown Projects