DOT solution for busy intersection could cause headaches for some local residents

Tomorrow is the last day you can send suggestions and comments to the Department of Transportation regarding changes to the intersection at South College and Oleander.

Some people have already put forth what they think is a better solution.

Residents and business owners around South College and Oleander say DOT’s proposed plan is just going to cause more congestion, and require several residents and businesses to relocate.

For one Wilmington family, this section of Oleander Drive is truly Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood. Lucille Roger’s late husband Joe built his family business in the late forties. The family has lived above it ever since.

Alvin Rogers, owner of Roger’s Appliances said, “…born and raised, live and die if they let us.”

Lucille Rogers said, “Alvin says they are going to take part of this building, and I said ‘my lord I would hate to see that go cause daddy worked so hard to get it here.'”

As part of its plan to revamp the College and Oleander intersection, the DOT wants to purchase the Rogers’ appliance building, including Lucille’s upstairs apartment.

“I think they are trying to take my livelihood away from me,” said Lucille.

Alvin and his wife Sandy have been fairly vocal throughout this Oleander-College intersection debate. They have gathered nearly 500 signatures from community members who are against the proposed plan, some of who will also be displaced if it goes through.

Instead, they have come up with another suggestion.

“I think if they took that money and put it toward Kerr Avenue, making it one way and College the other, they would find a more permanent solution,” said Alvin Rogers.

Alvin said there are many one way streets in Raleigh, and believes the idea could work in Wilmington, too.

You can e-mail your comments to Jamille Robbins at jarobbins@ncdot.gov or mail them to Jamille Robbins, NCDOT Human Environmental Unit, 1583 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1583