NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC – New Hanover County will be partnering in the community to hold pop-up information sessions for the quarter-cent transportation sales tax that will be on the November ballot. These pop-up sessions will provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions and learn more about what the sales tax is and the initial trails and transit priorities it would help fund. All events are free to attend. Below are the current pop-up information sessions scheduled:
Senior Resource Center Ice Cream Social
- When: Thursday, September 29, 1-3 p.m.
- Where: Senior Resource Center, 2222 College Road
- What: Enjoy free ice cream, share feedback with the Senior Resource Center about the programs and activities offered, and learn about the quarter-cent transportation sales tax. Registration is not required.
Pine Valley Library Storytime
- When: Wednesday, October 5, 10-10:30 a.m.
- Where: Pine Valley Library, 3802 South College Road
- What: Families with kids 6 and under will enjoy a transportation-themed Storytime outside with Mr. Scooter, including books, music and activities, and learn about the proposed quarter-cent transportation sales tax. A Wave Transit trolley or van will also be in the parking lot for families to visit. Registration opens September 28 and can be found here.
Wave Transit Fall Festival
- When: Friday, October 14, 9 am-3 pm
- Where: Forden Station, 505 Cando Street
- What: Attendees can drop in any time during the event and enjoy kids’ activities, a farmer’s market, community resources, learn about the proposed quarter-cent transportation sales tax, and purchase lunch from CheezBoss food truck.
Northeast Library Storytime
- When: Thursday, October 20, 10:15-10:40 a.m.
- Where: Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Road
- What: Families will enjoy a transportation-themed Storytime with books, music and activities, and also learn about the proposed quarter-cent transportation sales tax. A Wave Transit trolley or van will also be in the parking lot for families to visit. Registration is not required. Learn more about Storytime here.
Northside Food Co-op Community Dinner
- When: Thursday, October 20, 6-8 p.m.
- Where: 1019 Princess Street
- What: Attendees can attend and enjoy the fellowship of the Co-op’s community dinner and learn about the proposed quarter-cent transportation sales tax. Registration is not required, but donations and volunteers (sign up here) are welcome. Call 910-260-4464 for more information about the community dinners or to help.
About the Transportation Sales Tax
The quarter-cent transportation sales tax on the November ballot could help expand trails and sidewalks, create safer intersections, modernize transit, and provide greater mobility for our community. For visitors, commuters, and residents, the sales tax would be 25 cents for every $100 spent in New Hanover County and would not apply to items like fuel, prescriptions, and most groceries.
If approved by voters, here are a few of the priorities that could be accomplished in the first five years:
- Bike/Ped: 10+ miles of new multi-use trails, 5 additional sidewalks and 9 improved intersections and crosswalks in the city and county, with opportunities in the beach communities as well.
- Transit: Longer and later hours for buses and microtransit services (extended by 16 hours each week), shorter waits for more than half of Wave Transit’s routes, free youth passes, improved bus stops with dozens more shelters and benches, live vehicle ETAs at the most-used stops, new technology for rider access, and newer, nicer, greener buses.
- Rail Realignment: Begin leveraging local funds to help relocate parts of the railroad track and make pedestrian improvements through the Rail Realignment Project.
Learn more, see initial priorities and projects, and view FAQs at TrailsTransitNHC.com.