Wilmington Star-News

June 29, 2005

Downtown Leland to get a new gateway

LELAND – Your drive into downtown will look different this winter.

On Tuesday, town officials launched the Gateway Enhancement Project, a community-based initiative to upgrade the busy U.S. 17 and U.S. 74/76 interchange and Village Road commercial corridor; the entrance into Leland as well as Brunswick County.

"It’s a major achievement and milestone for the town," said Cameron Moore, town planning director, after a groundbreaking ceremony.

Phase I of the project, which is estimated at $300,000, includes a new welcome sign, landscaping and maintenance for the interchange located at Village Road and N.C. 133. It is scheduled for completion by December.

Phase II includes streetscaping and widening Village Road, improving drainage systems, installing sidewalks, lanterns and park benches, and planting trees.

Town Manager David Hewett said the project creates a sense of community for a population that has increased from 900 to nearly 5,000 in the past five years.

"Leland is a nice place to live, work and raise a family. It has become a destination place," he said. "This is only the tip of the iceberg."

The project, a partnership between the town, area businesses, citizens and community stakeholders, will be funded through private donations.

Mr. Moore said $130,000 has already been raised for phase I and he anticipates that amount to rise to $160,000 by the end of July.

Mayor Franky Thomas said he’s excited about the project because it marks a turning point in Leland history and will preserve the town’s village atmosphere.

"It’s just a great day in the neighborhood," he said.