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In Manteo, Cartwright Park is now slated for improvement.

In its mid-July meeting, Manteo’s commissioners agreed unanimously to hire Albemarle and Associates Ltd. to push forward with plans to stabilize and improve the 1865 chapel ruins, replace the existing restrooms and picnic shelter, add landscaping and make other park and site improvements.

Cartwright Park is dedicated to Andrew Cartwright, founder of AME Zion churches in the Albemarle area. The park is situated on the grounds of Cartwright’s first church, dating back to 1865.

Cartwright Park is located at the intersection of Sir Walter Raleigh St. and Bideford St., across from the Pea Island Cookhouse. The address for Cartwright Park is 303 Bideford St. The park anchors one curve of the Richard Etheridge traffic circle.

The town leases the property, which is just shy of an acre of land, from the AME Zion Church. The town and church renewed the lease agreement in December 2022 for a 25-year term.

In addition, the town owns an adjacent parcel with the Collis Gallop Playground along with a connected undeveloped parcel. Total square footage available for planning is 81,500 square feet.

Albemarle and Associates has assembled a team to work on the project. The team includes CLH design p.a., Beacon Architecture and Design PLLC, Seaboard Surveying and Planning, Inc. and Environmental Professionals, Inc.

Town staff will conduct public participation planning sessions for community input on the future design of the park. A steering committee will include citizens, representatives of the AME Zion Church and town officials.

Commissioners were elated to move forward with park planning. Commissioner Eddie Mann called the location, “the most important piece of land on Roanoke Island.” He said “I’m excited to see that getting the attention it deserves.”

The commissioners agreed to hire Timmons Group, Richmond, Va., for two projects:

– The Devon Street Project, which calls for replacing 670 feet of vitrified clay sewer line with eight-inch PVC sewer line. The clay sewer line has been in place since the 1940s. The contract is for $91,000.

– A three-phase dilution study that will take about 18 months. The study is required every five years. The study that will cost $91,000 is included in the 10-year capital improvement plan.

The board entered into a memorandum of understanding with Currituck County for Advanced Mobile Forensics Investigations. The expensive software will only be used in felony cases. The cost is $4,000 per year.

A budget amendment was adopted to adjust the town manager’s salary with fringes. Salary will increase by $8,000.

The board created a new entry level position, called community development coordinator, with a salary range from $40,739.20 to $70,764.36.

In public comments, Andrew Gluba Jr. approached the podium. He spoke of the inability of handicapped people to access the town. He knows. His son is in a wheelchair. He pushes his son around town. “It’s got to change.” He argued for ADA compliant sidewalks. “Bring it up to code,” he said.

During commissioner comments, Hannah Forslund and Betty Selby raised the issue.

Mayor Sherry Wickstrom said “I’m concerned about sidewalks.”

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