Project Grace finally breaks ground after years of planning

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — After more than 7 years of planning, a ground-breaking ceremony for Project Grace was held in downtown Wilmington Friday afternoon.

The New Hanover County Commissioners were joined by Wilmington City Council members and project developers for the ceremony.

“This place right here is going to transform the youth in our community for a lifetime to come,” County Commissioner Jonathan Barfield said.

A new building will be constructed on the lot along Grace Street, between 2nd and 3rd Streets.

The building will house the downtown Wilmington branch of the New Hanover County Library and the Cape Fear Museum.

“I mean its exciting cause we know it’s getting to happen,” Commissioner Chair Bill Rivenbark said. “But it’s been a lot to get here. It’s like climbing a mountain, getting halfway up, and getting knocked down. But we had the willpower to get back up and this is what we got for it.”

Cape Fear Development partner Mike Brown said it’s been great to see the project receive so much support from the people of Wilmington.

“I think generally, the community, I went to probably 35 to 40 meetings with the community and a vast majority of the feedback I got was very, very positive so I think the city of Wilmington and the community at large is very much in favor of the project.”

The Project Grace site will also house a museum dedicated to NBA legend Michael Jordan, which is currently still in the planning phase.

The building is expected to be completed by the fall of 2025, with books and exhibits then being moved from the old library to the new building.