New Bern Municipal Service District Advisory Committee Meeting October 27, 2026

The City of New Bern Municipal Service District Advisory Committee met on October 27, 2026. Members approved the prior meeting minutes and reviewed FY2027 financial reports: as of September 30, the committee reported total net position of $1,944,418, including $490,475 committed to projects. Staff reported no new MSD project proposals for the month. The main procurement-related update was the inner-core parking project: bid advertising was anticipated by the end of October, with a goal of seeking board approval of a construction contractor in December and starting phased construction in January 2027. Staff noted that the schedule and cost would depend on bids and contractor availability; no contract amount or award was presented. Parking would remain partly operational during construction, with temporary spaces planned at the Craven Terrace lot for current permit holders.

Other project updates included completed restroom work and riverwalk fencing, installation of six ordered benches planned for Bear Plaza, and consideration of a more durable thermoplastic material for future crosswalk markings, potentially beginning with a test intersection. Staff also discussed pedestrian signal improvements and sidewalks. The Tourism Development Authority described tourism-tax-funded initiatives, including a self-service kayak program at Creekside Park and a full-time convention-sales position, and said its grant program was paused for review. These were informational updates; the transcript records no new MSD contract award or procurement-related spending vote. Members approved February 23, 2027, as the next meeting date.