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WALLACE — Signs of economic progress can be seen in many parts of Wallace, with new home neighborhoods and businesses popping up in several locations. That’s the good news. The challenge is that such growth now makes it more difficult to qualify for state funds to get certain types of projects done.
One such project is the demolition of the old C.W. Dobbins School building at 908 N Teachey Road. Following a brief public hearing Thursday night, the town council voted unanimously to move forward in requesting $556,400 in Community Development Block Grant funding for “slum and blight demolition” to remove the old school building and three abandoned homes that are situated within the boundaries of Farrior Park at Boney Mill Pond.
The grant request should completely cover the cost of the work, including the remediation of any hazardous materials like asbestos that may be found on the sites. No local tax dollars would be spent on the project.
Project Manager Chip Bartlett explained to the council in a presentation on the project that, while the work is needed, funding is going to be tight this year and there are no guarantees that the grants will be awarded.
“It’s a competitive year for grants,” Bartlett said. “Sometimes the Commerce Department funds every grant request they get, but that’s not going to be the case this year. I think this is a vital project and it stands a good chance, though.”
Many communities in the western part of North Carolina, which was hit hard by Hurricane Helene in 2024, will be competing for some of the same dollars.
Further complicating matters is the fact that Duplin County is now considered a Tier 2 county in the way the state defines areas of economic distress. As reported by the Duplin Journal last December, the state classifies all 100 counties each year, placing the 40 most economically distressed in Tier 1, the next 40 in Tier 2, and the 20 most prosperous in Tier 3. The shift to Tier 2 means Duplin County is now eligible for fewer funding opportunities than before.
If the grant is awarded, the town will be required to complete a redevelopment plan for the 3 1/2 -acre site where the school is currently sitting to benefit low to moderate-income households. Officials said the land could be used for low to moderate-income housing, but other uses could be acceptable.
Planning Director Rod Fritz said the town has already heard from some developers who would be interested in purchasing the property once it is ready.
If the grant is awarded later this year, Bartlett recommended that another public hearing be held as the process continues to make sure that citizens have some input in how this project moves forward. Fritz added that the town Planning Department is always open to accepting comments from the public, as well.
In other business, the council agreed to install a street light in hopes of improving safety at the intersection of Summerfield Drive and NC 11, at the entrance of the Summerfield subdivision.
Council also voted to set up public hearings for rezoning of several parcels during their scheduled meeting on Nov. 13. A former salvage yard on NC 41 in the Tin City area is proposed to be rezoned from RA20 to Highway Business; and property near the intersection of Old Wilmington Road and NC 11 is proposed to be rezoned from R6 to R6 MH, to allow a mobile home park to be placed on the property.
