Living Hope drops plans for Dock Street location after neighborhood concerns
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Living Hope Day Center says it will not move forward with plans to purchase a property at 10th and Dock streets in Wilmington, less than two weeks after nearby residents publicly raised concerns about the proposed location.
The organization announced the decision this week, saying it had received new information and feedback about the surrounding community and decided to change direction.
Living Hope had been considering relocating to the former Sorrow Drowner Tiki Bar on Dock Street as it prepares to leave its current location at First Baptist Church because of ongoing renovations.
The proposal drew opposition from several nearby residents during the Sept. 22 Wilmington City Council meeting.
At least a dozen residents who live near the property attended the meeting, with seven speaking during public comment against the proposed location.
Residents raised concerns about the building itself, how the day center would operate and the property’s proximity to nearby schools.
Questions included whether the former bar was appropriate for use as a day center, what the center’s operating hours would be, how people arriving before opening or remaining after closing would be handled and what safety measures would be in place.
New Hanover County Schools Superintendent Christopher Barnes also raised concerns at the meeting, saying the property was within walking distance of students attending three nearby schools.
“We are concerned as a school system that area is within the walking distance used by students attending three nearby schools: an elementary, a middle and a high school,” Barnes said.
City staff clarified following the public comment period that Wilmington City Council was not involved in deciding whether Living Hope could operate at the proposed location.
In announcing its decision not to purchase the property, Living Hope said the building initially appeared to meet nearly all of its needs because of its location along a largely commercial corridor, available space and infrastructure.
“What we did not fully understand at the time was the larger community surrounding that building,” the organization said. “We have learned from this experience.”
Living Hope also acknowledged the feedback it received from neighbors who attended meetings, called and wrote to the organization.
“We may not have agreed on everything, but we were listening, and we heard you,” Living Hope said.
The organization said it will take time to listen, seek guidance and evaluate what comes next rather than immediately pursuing another building.
“We don’t want to simply find another building,” Living Hope said. “We want to find the right place, the right model, and the right way forward for our Wilmington community as a whole.”
Living Hope said the decision does not change its mission or end its search for a permanent home, and the organization plans to continue its current work while determining its next step.
