currents

CURRENTS 28451

Our Winning Number

STORY BY HARRY BLAKESLEE, PHOTOS BY JEFFREY STITES

Editor’s Note: As relative newcomer to the Town of Leland, Harry Blakeslee is naturally curious about his new home. Over the last several months Harry has been chronicling his investigations into his new home in a series of articles. We love seeing an area we’ve know for decades through Harry’s eyes and hope that as he answers his questions, he’s satisfying your curiosity as well. This month Harry looks into the Town of Leand itself, its growth and its future plans.

The number above is the USPS zip code for Leland, named after the nephew of Citizen Joseph W Grady, leader of the town’s incorporation effort. The community was called Woodburn until 1989 when it was incorporated into the Town of Leland. Surprisingly, there are also properties with postal service addresses in Winnabow that are, in reality, within the Leland town limits. Leland encompasses approximately 22 acres and is much like a patchwork quilt.

Apartment buildings are popping up like Spring flowers Economic and Community Development, stated in a press release that Leland Innovation Park is Leland’s current primary focus for adding commercial/industrial property tenants within the town. They also stress that Leland is seeking “high-paying job for residents . . . not smoke-stack industries.” The current Village Road Fire and Rescue Station #51 will be relocated nearby the Innovation Park on US 74 to better serve the north and northwest areas of

The above zip code number is lucky because Leland is currently a relatively young, prosperous, professionally-managed community with managed growth. Citizens can thank our Mayor Brenda Bozeman and the Town Council as well as Town Manager Dave Hollis and his staff of professionals. These people have successfully promoted Leland into the fastest-growing community in North Carolina and 17th fastest in the nation. According to census numbers, our population was 13,614 in 2010, growing to 23,544 in 2019. At that rate, we ought to hit 28,000 in 2021.

Leland has a lot to recommend it to potential transplants, and current residents, with a temperate climate, a modern community, top-drawer services, and many recently-built homes and apartments at reasonable prices compared to the Northeast and Upper Midwest. Adding to Leland’s current attractiveness are abundant medical services and general services providers, national food purveyors, well-managed traffic and roads, proximity to additional shopping in Wilmington and Shallotte, and a low tax rate.

Our geography puts us several feet above high water, so we have not had any general flooding in the last 10 years, according to Emergency Service Director, John Grimes, even with several hurricanes. Of course being near several rivers and streams, occasionally very low flood-plain areas can flood.

Leland also provides attractive water and sewer services which seem to be encouraging both residential and light commercial properties to petition to be annexed from Brunswick County into the Town of Leland, further enhancing Leland’s growth. One example of voluntary annexation into the town spurring growth is the new Leland Innovation Park on US 74/76. The area, the first to feature the town’s new Innovation District zoning, will add 250 acres of residential and light industrial space to the Town of Leland. Gary Vidmar, Director of

Leland. This will be joined by a new station #53 on Lanvale Road (off U.S. 17) and the existing station #52 on River Road (Hwy. 133).

Leland has plans annually updated by our town personnel in a report called Leland 2045. The plan sets forth growth goals to guide the town’s elected officials and professional staff as the community continues to see rapid growth. Of course budget constraints affect the timing of various elements of the plan. Since there is an annual review, citizens can, and are encouraged to, participate. Future developments are confidential until approved and announced by the town and the developer/builder. Announced projects under construction include a Tractor Supply Co. store, Wendy’s restaurant, Five Guys restaurant, and two breweries, one in Brunswick Forest and another behind Town Hall. Large developments like Brunswick Forest, Mallory Creek, Compass Pointe, Juniper Creek, and Magnolia Greens look to continued expansion, as are many other smaller neighborhoods.

Leland Parks and Recreation is also looking to the future with several park improvements and new park plans in progress. A master plan for improvements to Founders Park is under development and accepting citizen comment. The Cypress Cove Park Access project would construct a direct access road into Cypress Cove Park from Village Road and make improvements to the park entrance and parking areas. Another park, Sturgeon Creek Park, is in the early investigation and evaluation phase.

Some of the additional capital projects planned include: the Leland Greenway (a project to construct a multi-use path connecting Westgate Nature Park, which is owned and operated by the Town of Leland, to Brunswick Nature Park, which is owned and operated by Brunswick County.), enhancements to the municipal campus, and a project on Old Fayetteville Road to develop a roadside multi-use path along the north side of the road from Town Hall Drive to North Brunswick High School. With Leland’s strong, experienced, and dedicated town staff, mayor, and town council, I expect that Leland will continue to be a model for managed growth in both population and quality of life.

Details of Leland’s Budget and Finances

A new Tractor Supply Store and new townhouses being built on 17s on the way out of town are available at the town website: https://www.townofleland.com/sites/ default/files/uploads/2020-2021_budget_ manual_approved.pdf https://www.townofleland.com/finance/ audited-financial-statements Many thanks go to Ms. Hilary Snow, Communications Officer for the Town of Leland, for her assistance in compiling this information.

North Carolina’s Fastest Growing Town Plans For Growth

STORY BY JEFFREY STITES, PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Leland is looking forward. As the town experiences the fastest growth in the state of North Carolina, it is revising and updating its land use and transportation plans to fit predicted needs up to 25 years in the future. The town has partnered with a consulting firm, Design Workshop, to create the Leland 2045 plan tp continue intelligently guided growth.

The plan will include the following elements:

• Community Assessment – A thorough review of population, housing, demographic, and economic trends, and projections • Natural Resources, Resiliency, and Hazard Mitigation – An analysis of environmental assets, areas for preservation and conservation, and how future development can be guided in a manner to minimize susceptibility to natural disasters

• Historic, Cultural, and Heritage Preservation and Enhancement – An inventory of historic, cultural, and heritage resources and information and how future development can celebrate and enhance the history and culture of the area

• Land Use and Community Design – An analysis of Leland’s existing land use and recommendations for a framework for future development that creates place-based neighborhood nodes and transects • Housing – A review of housing needs and trends and recommendations that will create strong neighborhoods that support lifelong housing needs • Transportation – Recommendations for a multi-model transportation network that supports the desired future land use patterns, including bicycle and pedestrian facility recommendations, a collector street network, street infill recommendations, and recommendations for applications of street types • Implementation – Specific goals, policies, and action items to implement each element of the Leland 2045 plan

The public is welcome and invited to participate in this project in several ways. Citizens can access an online survey via the Town of Leland website and email comments Comments to bandrea@townofleland.com. In person, there is a Public Engagement Hub available by appointment. And a series of community workshops are planned. The first was held in January and the next two will be in March and August. There is even a special form for children to add their thoughts. Details and links to all theses input methods are found at www.townofleland.com/planning-inspections/ planning-zoning/leland-2045-planning-generations.

Spring Art Shows

Franklin Square Gallery Hosts Two Exhibits

STORY AND PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

During the past year, high school art students have had to content themselves with using their family refrigerator door as their gallery. No more! Associated Artists of Southport is hosting the High School Art Show at Franklin Square Gallery, March 1 through March 26.

Franklin Square Gallery is located at 130 E. West Street, off Howe Street in Southport. During the show, the Gallery is open from Monday through Saturday, 10 am - 4pm.

With ribbons awarded for creativity and technique, work has been submitted in three categories – 2D, 3D and Graphics. Ribbons are awarded for creativity as well as technique.

This show is an important preview opportunity for those assembling a college application portfolio. Patricia Lyles, retired Brunswick County art teacher, has agreed to take on the challenging roll of judge for the show. Stop by and see what Brunswick County art students can create!

ASSOCIATED ARTIST OF SOUTHPORT SPRING SHOW

As the dreary winter fades into a new spring, it’s the perfect time to go enjoy some art. Franklin Square Gallery in Southport has just the ticket with two shows opening on March 1, one featuring students and another displaying the works of Associated Artis of Southport members. The members’ show will even include another of the gallery’s popular Mug Challenges!

What do artists do when cooped up at home during the pandemic? They try new media, paint big pictures, and create even more whimsical pottery. Stop by the Associated Artists of Southport’s Member Show at Franklin Square Gallery, March 1-May 8, and see what they’ve been up to.

Associated Artists of Southport (AAS) is located in the charming, historic building nestled under live oak trees behind Franklin Square Park three blocks from Southport’s waterfront at 130 E. West Street. Its large, high-ceilinged galleries allow space for social distancing. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 10 am- 4 pm.

With more than 100 exhibiting members, all who can contribute to this show, different perspectives on, “the new normal” are expected. Ricki Hiatt, co-chairperson for 2-D exhibits, sees this spring opening of the gallery as symbolic of the feelings of renewal, hope and joy. “Our artists will be sharing this message through the beauty of their paintings. Come see what we have to offer and revive our soul!” Hiatt said.

The pottery contingent is stepping up with their Easter/Spring Mug Challenge. Becky Cleary, co-chairperson for 3-D exhibits, reports, “I’ve been checking with the potters and they are enthusiastically working on their mugs. This Mug Challenge gives them something different to work on while “hunkering down” at home.” This portion of the show allows art lovers to vote for their favorite, and purchase them as well.

This show has no judge but the public, no awards but purchases, and no theme, just members of the cooperative working together to initiate the spring season in the gallery.

LCF LifeCare NoCost Grief Program

CONTRIBUTED BY AMANDA HUTCHESON, LCF LIFECARE

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare will offer a multi-week, no-cost virtual grief care program for those coping with the death of a parent on Tuesdays, Mar. 23 through Apr. 13.

The group will be held 3 – 4:30 pm. in a secure virtual environment. Pre-registration is required; to register, please call 1-800-379-4880 and leave a message with your name, phone number, and the name and date of the program you wish to attend. A grief counselor will contact you.

Most of us have loved and lost special people in our lives and we understand that coping with grief is a challenging process. If you or your friends and family are having difficulty dealing with the loss of a loved one, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare (formerly Lower Cape Fear Hospice) is here to help. Throughout the year, we offer compassionate care, educational and enrichment opportunities that support many types of loss in safe and familiar environments. Because of our generous donors, these caring, no cost groups, camps and workshops are available to all. Your donation is always appreciated.

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing access to the highest quality LifeCare, education, and supportive services to our patients, their families, and the communities we serve. For more information, visit lifecare.org.

community Another Bennie With The Jets

Tickets For Luna Sea & Dave’s Not Home At The Cape Fear Jet Port Available Now

Southport’s first drive-in concert was so nice, we’re doing it twice! Join us on the Jetport with the LunaSea Rockers and Dave’s Not Home.

STORY CONTRIBUTED

Load up your car and plan to take off with Up Your Arts during another Bennie With the Jets drive-in concert at the Cape Fear Regional Jetport on Saturday, April 24, from 2-5 pm.

Prepare for absolute lunacy with ... the LunaSea Rockers! You won’t find a more fun, more hardcharging, Big Band sound south of the Mason-Dixon Line! Local phenoms Dave’s Not Home, of the ever-expanding, hard-act-to-follow playlist, will open with Joann Duncan laying out the purest vocals you’ve ever heard.

So take your polka dots and boogie away outside at a comfortable, safe distance on a beautiful spring day with family and friends.

Tickets are $50 per vehicle. Food is sold separately with multiple food trucks serving up deliciousness all day. Proceeds benefit the Save the Hall, Y’all campaign to transform the old city hall building in the heart of downtown Southport into an arts center.

Gates open at 1 pm. The rain date is May 1, same time, same place.

Tickets available now at https:// bit.ly/3aPHExr

www.LelandMag.com / www.LelandMag.com /March 2021/ Leland Magazine 13