Disposition of Redevelopment Parcels (First Avenue, Mechanic Street, Bloomfield Street, Sampson Street)
New Bern, NC
Summary
The commission was scheduled to consider bids for two city-owned lots in the redevelopment area — one requested by Torrance Chapman and one by Ed McGovern. Purchasing conditions attached to salable lots have been a sticking point, with buyers wanting faster turnaround to build homes.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 6
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 14, 2026.
Impact analysis
Sale proceeds return to the commission, and building homes on these vacant lots adds to the city's housing stock and tax base.
Buyers who want to build homes, plus neighbors of the vacant lots who gain new development.
Potentially nearby residents if sale conditions that protect quality of the built homes are loosened.
Mentions & discussions (6)
Redevelopment Commission - Oct 14, 2026
The Housing Authority wants to buy two vacant lots on First Avenue (721 and 703). If accepted, the land could be used for housing in the Greater Five Points area. It's unknown whether the offer was accepted.
Redevelopment Commission - Sep 9, 2026
The commission considered selling or transferring several vacant redevelopment parcels — including two to the New Bern Housing Authority and others to private requesters. What gets built on these lots shapes the future of the surrounding neighborhoods.
Redevelopment Commission - Aug 12, 2026
The commission was scheduled to decide whether to accept or reject an upset bid for 1213 Mechanic Street (Torrance Chapman request) and a bid for 606 White Street (Ed McGovern request). These decisions determine who acquires vacant lots and what gets built there.
Redevelopment Commission - Jun 10, 2026
The commission was scheduled to consider bids for two city-owned lots in the redevelopment area — one requested by Torrance Chapman and one by Ed McGovern. Purchasing conditions attached to salable lots have been a sticking point, with buyers wanting faster turnaround to build homes.
Redevelopment Commission - Feb 11, 2026
A longtime Duffyfield grocery family wants to buy a vacant lot next to their store for storage, parking, and yard space. The commission's statutory housing mission versus common-sense land assembly is now the central policy tension, and a fair 'matrix' for future sales is in the works.
Redevelopment Commission Retreat - Jan 24, 2026
The commission was scheduled to consider bids from two buyers for four vacant lots in the redevelopment area. Selling these parcels could put them back on the tax rolls and into productive use, but the outcome of the vote is unknown.
Related development
Torrance Chapman Property Request — 1213 Mechanic Street
If accepted, the bid would put a vacant redevelopment lot back into residential use.
New Bern Housing Authority Property Request — 721 and 703 First Avenue
If the sale goes through, the Housing Authority would gain two lots for potential future housing.
720 First Avenue Purchase
Acquiring 720 First Avenue would add another parcel to the commission's redevelopment holdings.
Bloomfield Property Purchase
The acquisition would add the Bloomfield Property to the commission's holdings, with future use to be determined.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for New Bern, NC
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.