Two years ago, the City of Wilmington spent $3.7M on riverfront land and signed an agreement with developer Armada Hoffler to build a $52M convention center and hotel on the lot. Since then, the project has been held up by numerous redesigns, a lawsuit and, most recently, termination of its agreement with Armada Hoffler (after the developer said it was no longer “financially feasible” to build a full-service hotel on the site).

This has left city officials questioning whether the project should continue. Those in favor of the convention center believe it will fuel the downtown boom - making Wilmington a destination for conventioneers and a focal point for the entire region.

Critics argue that the new face of downtown (post PPD, etc) presents us with more choices than before and that Wilmington would benefit more from a public-private partnership such as a multi-use performing arts and civic center.

“We don’t need to close our eyes and pretend there’s not other options on the table,” said Councilman Jason Thompson.

For now, the city is hard at work trying to find a new developer and still plans to break ground late summer.

Let’s hear what Wilmington residents have to say! Are you for or against a new convention center?