Design and Construction Report staff writer
Wilmington City Council has awarded a $6.3 million construction contract to Monteith Construction for renovations to the Skyline Center.
The project includes moving the council chambers to the first floor and adding a customer service center with a planning and community development counter, cashier’s office, and space for the SafeLight program and CFPUA.
The third floor will be renovated to house the city clerk, fire marshal, Wilmington Police Department STING Center, and police administration. Additionally, council chambers will be established on the first floor.
Council members voted 6-1 in favor of the renovation, despite concerns from Luke Waddell who wanted to delay the vote until after budget meetings.
The city purchased the Skyline Center for $68 million in 2023 and construction funding will include $6 million in FEMA reimbursements for past hurricanes, $508,000 from the Wilmington Housing Authority, and $1.3 million from the Wilmington Convention Center fund.
When upgrades are completed, there will be additional leasable spaces available on the first floor.
Mayor Bill Saffo says the new office campus represents “a creative and cost-effective solution to growing demands on downtown parking and city operations.”
“This adds over 1,000 parking spaces near our very successful Riverfront Park and Live Oak Bank Pavilion, brings together multiple city operations into one building, and saves millions of dollars by allowing the city to sell off aging facilities. Our capacity to make such a major investment in the future without a tax increase speaks to the city’s historically strong financial position,” he said.
