Wrightsville Ave. historic house faced with fear of future sidewalks

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The City of Wilmington is trying to make one area more walkable by adding two-and-a-half miles of sidewalks along a busy road. But for one homeowner, it could come at a cost. 

Wilmington City Council will discuss a resolution on Tuesday night to move forward with eminent domain to acquire a couple’s property. 

“By replacing our beautiful gardens and trees, we’re replacing with cement which changes the whole feel and character of this house,” Wrightsville Ave. Homeowner, John Voet, said. 

The Page-Ward house sits along Wrightsville Ave. in Wilmington. The historic home was built in 1911. The house was even given its own plaque by the Historic Wilmington Foundation, recognizing its time totaled in the Port City. 

The Voets have lived here for more than 25 years and have recently been faced with keeping their property intact. 

The street is maintained by the N.C. Department of Transportation and plans for a sidewalk that’ll include removing numerous trees that run along the street, including in front of the Voets and other residents’ homes. 

“The bottom line is, the city council is considering condemning our property to take out all our trees, and our landscaping, and our hedge that we’ve maintained for decades from ourselves and the prior property owners of this historic home and replace it with concrete,” Voet said. 

Voet said he believes there is a solution that will satisfy the city and it’s residents that won’t include removing trees and other greenery. 

“We believe that the property here is in a situation for a win-win for the city, its sidewalk, and our property, and the beauty of Wrightsville Ave. with the fact that the sidewalk could be placed a few feet closer to Wrightsville Ave., creating the sidewalk and protecting the integrity of the home,” Voet said. 

WWAY has reached out to the City of Wilmington for more information. We have not yet received that statement. 

City council is set to vote on a resolution to move forward with eminent domain on the properties they have not been able to reach an agreement with. We’ll have the latest on this meeting on WWAY News at 10 and 11.