HELP PLAN THE FUTURE OF ELIZABETH CITY'S WATERFRONT 

SEE THE RESULTS OF THE COMMUNITY SURVEY:

Project Overview

Elizabeth City has long been a focus of activity along the Pasquotank River.  From historic fishing and logging activities to support of Coast Guard base operations and recreational boating, Elizabeth City's waterfront is an authentic, valued community asset.  What's next for Elizabeth City's Harborfront? That's the question City, design consultants, and the community-at-large are seeking to answer for this nearly 1.2 miles of waterfront.

This planning effort is a combination of two assignments:  Preparation of a waterfront master plan for the City of Elizabeth City and development of a flooding mitigation plan for Charles Creek.  Both efforts have as their central goal the assembly of plans that provide a compelling, community driven vision for the future.  Plans will set the stage for follow-on funding source identification, detailed master planning and ultimate implementation of renewal efforts.  Plans will explore ways the waterfront can be more resilient to flooding events.  For the flooding mitigation plan specifically, the effort will also meet the requirements stipulated under the Local Planning and Management Grant by the Division of Coastal Management (CAMA).   

Question title

How often do you visit Elizabeth City's waterfront? (select one)

A couple times a week
34%
Once a month or less
25%
Everyday
21%
Once a week
15%
Never
5%
Closed to responses | 359 Responses

Question title

What activities do you participate in along Elizabeth City's waterfront? (select all that apply)

Attending event(s) (e.g., waterfront festival)
76%
Walking
63%
Take in a food and beverage outlet
57%
Park and open space activities
54%
Shopping at Downtown stores
54%
Boating or other on-water leisure activity
32%
Live Downtown (near the waterfront)
17%
Work Downtown (near the waterfront)
14%
Biking
13%
Other activity (complete below)
4%
Closed to responses | 250 Responses

Question title

From the Public Open House One and research of other waterfronts / elements similar in scale to Elizabeth City, what THREE elements shown above would you like to see MOST along the waterfront? (select THREE)

Provide continuous walking paths along the waterfront
35%
Promote activities, event and destination elements with appeal to everyone
34%
Provide multiple culinary experiences
30%
Anchor the waterfront and Downtown with compatible mixed-use development
27%
Develop multi-purpose spaces to support a variety of activities
27%
Create a feeling of safety
26%
Create place for people to gather
22%
Provide refreshment and boutique shopping areas and pavilions
22%
Expand recreational boating activities
17%
Anchor the waterfront with an improved event space
16%
Promote access by bike, foot and/or boat
16%
Incorporate public art
15%
Develop at a pedestrian oriented scale
14%
Create visual interest with trees and landscaping
13%
Promote sustainability and resilience / green infrastructure
11%
Connect people with nature
10%
Incorporate water features
7%
Other not listed (see below)
1%
Closed to responses | 206 Responses

Question title

Our mission is to "Deliver on our promise as North Carolina’s Harbor of Hospitality by providing new opportunities for recreation, boating and commercial activity while supporting a strong community through thoughtfully designed public spaces and environmental preservation areas." Of these mission statement values, which one is MOST important to you? (select one)

Strengthen community quality of life and activities
46%
Broaden commercial activities along the waterfront
20%
Create new opportunities for public recreation
17%
Provide enhanced options for boating and water dependent activities
9%
Improve natural areas and environmental habitat
6%
Not sure
2%
Closed to responses | 261 Responses

Question title

Five core tenets were identified to guide long range planning alternatives. After reviewing the list, which of these is MOST important to you?

A welcoming harbor
35%
Targeted renewal (of key parcels)
24%
Promote accessibility and connectivity
23%
A celebration of community heritage
13%
A verdant, resilient shore
5%
Closed to responses | 251 Responses

Initial Concept Ideas

Presented below are a series of initial ideas for LONG RANGE improvement to the waterfront.   We welcome you to review each and answer the questions following this section.  Please note, these are early drafts and will be modificed as we move through Public Open House Two and the planning process.  Elements and projects shown contemplate investment by both the public and private sectors. 

Question title

Four preliminary branded districts were identified as part of initial concept plan development. RANK in order of preference were investments should be prioritized?

Closed to responses | 195 Responses

University and Gateway (Draft Concepts)

Harborfront and the Preserve (Draft Concepts)

The Preserve - Charles Creek Flood Mitigation (Draft Concepts)

Question title

On a SCALE OF 1 to 5, how well do the alternatives create a more welcoming, vibrant harbor? (core tenet one)

4
35%
5 (very well)
22%
not sure
19%
3
17%
1 (not very well)
3%
2
3%
Closed to responses | 190 Responses

Question title

On a SCALE OF 1 to 5, how well do the alternatives promote greater waterfront connectivity and accessibility? (core tenet two)

4
33%
3
24%
5 (very well)
22%
not sure
14%
2
4%
1 (not very well)
3%
Closed to responses | 184 Responses

Question title

On a SCALE OF 1 to 5, how well do the alternatives promote renewal of key areas along the waterfront? (core tenet three)

4
38%
3
25%
5 (very well)
19%
not sure
13%
2
4%
1 (not very well)
2%
Closed to responses | 183 Responses

Question title

On a SCALE OF 1 to 5, how well do the alternatives create greener spaces / landscape and promote resiliency (core tenet four)

4
38%
3
23%
5 (very well)
16%
not sure
12%
2
7%
1 (not very well)
3%
Closed to responses | 177 Responses

Question title

On a SCALE OF 1 to 5, how well do the alternatives create a foundation to celebrate the waterfront and tell Elizabeth City's story? (core tenet five)

4
37%
3
28%
5 (very well)
15%
not sure
11%
2
5%
1 (not very well)
3%
Closed to responses | 179 Responses

Question title

Do you feel these options will bring greater economic vitality to Elizabeth City?

Yes
79%
not sure
17%
No
5%
Closed to responses | 177 Responses

Question title

What single improvement / enhancement would make Elizabeth City's waterfront a more welcoming "Harbor of Hospitality" for community visitors and residents?

Closed for Comments

Question title

What other thoughts and ideas can you share with the design team to help guide this important process?

Closed for Comments

Final Four Questions...

Help us get to know you a bit better by answering the following questions.  

Question title

What is your age? (select one)

18 to 39
33%
56 to 69
30%
40 to 55
26%
70 or older
11%
17 and under
0%
Closed to responses | 201 Responses

Question title

How many people reside in your household? (select one)

0 to 2
58%
3 to 4
36%
5 to 6
6%
7 or more
1%
Closed to responses | 200 Responses

Question title

Where do you live?

Elizabeth City (within the City limits)
54%
Greater Pasquotank County
31%
Other not listed
8%
Camden County
6%
Closed to responses | 202 Responses

Question title

How did you hear about Public Open House Two and/or this survey effort? (select one)

Social media outlet (e.g., Facebook, Twitter)
45%
Word of mouth
19%
Email
12%
Newspaper
11%
Other not listed
7%
Attended Public Open House One
6%
Radio / TV feature story
1%
Closed to responses | 199 Responses

The Schedule Moving Forward

All the data collected from this survey effort and Public Open House Two will be distilled into a refined series of conceptual alternatives for Elizabeth City's waterfront.  Revised alternatives and survey results will be presented on this website.  A draft plan for the waterfront and Charles Creek will be prepared--including detail on implementation and project funding--by early March. 

The City of Elizabeth City Waterfront and Charles Creek Flooding Mitigation Plans are initiatives sponsored by the City and CAMA.  The consulting team consists of Moffatt and Nichol and Chipley Consultants.  A project steering committee made up of citizens, business owners and elected officials from from the City and region meets monthly to help guide this process.    

Stay Involved

Your continued involvement is critical to the success of this planning effort.  Completing our brief survey is a great way to kickstart your participation and be heard.  

We would encourage you to also take part in scheduled community open house sessions.  This is a great way to interface with the design team and share your aspirations, issues, and ideas.   

  • Initial Planning Concepts - January 17, Noon - 7:30pm (with presentation at 5.30) and January 18, 9:00am - 8:00pm.  Mid-Atlantic Christian University (MACU) Chapel, 715 N. Poindexter Street, Elizabeth City

  • City Council Presentation - March  To be scheduled and advertised.   

Finally, check back to this planning site to stay up to date on the latest project news and also subscribe to our email (see below). 

Question title

* Sign up for the latest project updates by providing your email address and zip code.

Open House Presentation Materials

Want to spend time looking at the materials provided for the Elizabeth City Waterfornt Open House?  Both the posters and presentation are offered below (PDF formats).