WILMINGTON : Scaled-Back Banning’s Landing Plan Accepted

After six years of struggling and waiting, the Wilmington Community Advisory Committee decided to accept a scaled-back version of its pet project--Banning’s Landing.

The committee, which envisioned the project as a community centerpiece, voted recently to accept the Harbor Commission’s recommendation for a 10,000-square-foot building and promenade.

The committee had asked for a site on which to construct a 20,000-square-foot building to be used for community meetings, functions and displays showcasing port and community activities. It was expected to cost $5 million to $10 million.

In December, the Harbor Commission approved a $2.5 million-project to be built on 10 acres at the end of Avalon Boulevard, subject to a vote by the advisory committee.

Advisory committee member Simie Seaman cast the only opposing vote. She rejected the project because she said it isn’t enough to attract developers into Wilmington. “What I feel that we needed was to get the outside world into our community,” she said.

Gwen Butterfield, secretary of the advisory committee, said considering the region’s economy, she is happy that the Harbor Commission is going ahead with the project. “It’s a good start,” she said.