the Thursday | September 22, 2005SeahawkServing UNC Wilmington since 1948 Volume LVII | Number 4 Wilmington welcomes growth and change with Vision 2020 Plan All photos by Kristin Cheshire | THE SEAHAWK All photos by Kristin Cheshire | The river walk in historic downtown Wilmington (left), as well as the store fronts and resturaunts along Front and Water Streets (Roy's Riverboat Landing, right) are just a few of the more scenic places located downtown. The Vision 2020 plan aims to bring all of downtown Wilmington to the same standards. popular bars and clubs in the coun- is bursting with potential to be one understands that there are many currently underway. Some of the BEN WIMMER NEWS EDITOR try, Nashville, Tenn., has its country of the top cities on the east coast and parts of downtown that remain other goals listed by the City staff music scene, and Austin, Texas is also under- for Wilmington Every popular city in America is known for its popular nightlife as stands that the “The Vision 2020 Plan provides a clear roadmap to the Vision 2020 celebrated for a signature part of its well. Wilmington is bursting with city already development and redevelopment of our downtown area. Although include: con- downtown area, and Wilmington potential and by 2020 it could be put attracts a this is designed to be a guide rather than policy, it does give us a structing pub- intends to put this formula to use to good use. steady num- lic squares and through the Wilmington Vision The main goals of the 2020 ber of tour- vision to follow as we enjoy the increased vitality of downtown waterfront parks 2020 plan. Wilmington’s Vision plan include making downtown ists each year Wilmington.” downtown, uti- 2020 Plan will aim at perking up its the most desirable place to live in thanks to the -Wilmington Mayor Spence Broadhurst lizing the current already beautiful downtown area Wilmington regardless of a person’s U.S.S. North empty spaces while drawing extra attention to income, stressing the incorporation Carolina, various festivals and empty and intends to stimulate downtown, stimulating street level where downtown meets the Cape of the Cape Fear River into the events and most importantly three growth with new businesses and activity, improving economic devel- Fear River. Other large cities in the downtown area for tourists, busi- nearby beaches that are unspoiled renovation. opment downtown by increasing southeast- nesses and residents, and of course and that become heavily populated Wilmington Vision 2020 is a downtown jobs, finishing northern ern United making downtown the most attrac- between Memorial Day and Labor collaboration involving Wilmington downtown’s grid pattern, making States have tive part of Wilmington. The 2020 Day. Wilmington’s population is Downtown, Inc. and EDAW, Inc. Front Street a two-way street, widen- exclusive vision statement reads: “In the year also growing rapidly and pick- along with other public organiza- ing downtown sidewalks, increasing areas that 2020, the City of Wilmington, North ing up momentum as the years go tions. Wilmington Downtown, Inc. the number of special events down- attract tour- Carolina will be recognized as one by. According to the U.S. Census is a group of multiple committees town, extending the riverwalk from ists every of the eastern Bureau, Wilmington’s population and also the new name of the for- the Cape Fear Memorial bridge to year. New This dilapidated seaboard’s in 1990 was 55,530, in 2000 it was mer DARE, Inc. (Downtown Area the Holmes Bridge, promoting the Orleans has hotel is one of most livable 75,838, and the bureau estimates Revitalization Effort), EDAW, Inc. development of housing, providing its French several decrepit cities – a lead- that Wilmington’s 2003 population is a design firm that specializes in public spaces for civic and leisure Quarter, areas still visible ing jewel of the equaled 91,137. With Wilmington’s various design and planning efforts activities, preserving the historical Miami has downtown. mid-Atlantic population and tourism on the rise, including landscape architecture and natural areas of downtown and South Beach, region.” the city must also expand physi- and planning/urban design. The Atlanta is home to some of the most The plan realizes that Wilmington cally to accommodate. Vision 2020 plan was completed in 1997 and is see VISION 2020 page 5 2 the Seahawk | NEWS | September 22, 2005 UNCW welcomes Katrina evacuee students all just stuff...it can be replaced.” given any special treatment. didn’t require transcripts.” After several days in Houston and Dallas “Everybody, including the students we’ve “They’re wonderful young people,” Bell and hearing about the destruction of New met, is great to all of us,” Collins, the mechan- said “I’m glad we could do our small part to Orleans, Collins figured he’d better come up ical engineering major said. “We’ve all been help them.” with another plan for his junior year. “We made to feel incredibly welcome here.” The University of North Carolina Board figured we didn’t have a school to go, with “They’re a really great group of students,” of Governors will waive all tuition and fees Tulane right downtown.” said Anne Marie Bell, associate director for students uprooted by Hurricane Katrina. So, he headed home to Wilmington. “I of admissions. “They’re very enthusiastic. “The seven students won’t have to pay any- BARBARA J. TWIGG wasn’t sure exactly what I’d do, but once I They’ll do fine here.” thing to attend UNCW this year,” said Emily SENIOR STAFF WRITER got here things worked out Bliss, UNCW financial aid director. “Yes, great,” Collins said. “Incredible is the only way to describe it is unusual, but then we’ve never taken in Tulane University Junior Jeffrey Collins He is now one of seven hurricane displaced had only lived in his New Orleans ground students from universities how we’ve been treated. Everyone here students before.” level apartment two days when Hurricane in Louisiana enrolled at has bent over backwards for us. Every The campus book- Katrina roared up the Gulf Coast aimed at UNCW. He can’t say enough store is also offering Louisiana. good things about UNCW. administrator, every professor keep a helping hand. It is “We were told to evacuate,” said Collins. “Incredible is the only asking if there is anything they can do giving the new stu- “I’ve been through seven hurricanes down way to describe how we’ve dents their books and there, so I thought leaving was pretty good been treated,” Collins said. for us. It’s amazing.” supplies for free, if idea.” “Everyone here has bent -Tulane University Junior Jeffrey Collins they want them, said At midnight on Sunday, Aug. 28, just over backwards for us. Every (pictured right) store manager Tanya hours before Katrina made landfall, he and administrator, every profes- Szulak. “We’re glad to seven friends hastily packed up a few belong- sor keep asking if there is help,” Szulak said. ings and jumped into a couple of cars and anything they can do for us. It’s amazing.” The seven students from Tulane and the “That’s great,” said Collins, when told headed for Texas. Collins’ mother is Dr. Edna Collins, an University of New Orleans are registered at about the waived tuition and the bookstore “I grabbed some pictures, my computer, interim chair for the department of curricular UNCW as visiting students, meaning they’re offer. “I certainly didn’t expect anything like camera, clothes and left,” Collins said. “My studies in the education department. He read- not here to earn a degree, Bell said. “And due this…it’s a very nice surprise.” apartment is probably under water and my ily admits his transition here has been easier to these unusual circumstances, we tried to things are gone, but I’m okay with that. It’s than most students, but doesn’t think he’s been streamline the entry process. For instance we www.uncw.edu/hurricanerelief Those looking to assist with relief for Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans should check out www.uncw.edu/hurrica- nerelief. There, students can find a listing of relief events and more information of what can be done to help. UNCW students and organizations help with Katrina relief efforts AMANDA HUTCHESON STAFF WRITER room buildings. Students are encouraged to donate whatever they can. When Hurricane Katrina, just downgraded SGA will also be hosting a dance-a-thon from a category 5, hit the gulf coast last in October to raise money for Hurricane week, the devastation was enormous. Once Katrina relief with the help of other organi- levies broke in New Orleans, 80 percent of zations. There will be another fundraising the city was underwater. High poverty rates event in the spring. “We are waiting until meant many citizens did not have the means things calm down to host an event,” said to evacuate. The death toll is already in the Katie Gurgainus, VP of Organizations. “We hundreds. “This is going to be an issue that don’t want people to forget about this catas- is going to need our attention for months and trophe after just a few months. It is going to even years,” remarked Student Body President take years to rebuild and we should continue Bradley Ballou. to support these efforts well into the future.” So what are Seahawk students doing to Students can also go to the website http:// help with the relief effort? www.uncw.edu/hurricanerelief to find out SGA, along with other student organiza- what else is being done on campus.