N 5th Ave Median Community Meeting December 15, 2025

The City of Wilmington held a community meeting on December 15, 2025, to discuss the maintenance and upkeep of the median on North Fifth Avenue, specifically between Bladen Street and Handover Street. City officials from Parks and Recreation and Engineering presented the current challenges with vegetation in the median, including safety concerns related to sight lines and maintenance difficulties. They introduced a pilot program modeled after the city's community garden policy, inviting organized groups such as nonprofits or homeowners associations to propose beautification projects for the median. These groups would be responsible for installation, maintenance, and funding, as the city currently lacks budget for enhanced landscaping beyond standard turf and tree care. The meeting also addressed recent capital projects on South Fifth Avenue involving utility upgrades and landscaping, which included a contractor-maintained warranty period. Attendees discussed the process for group proposals, maintenance responsibilities, and the potential for grant funding to support plant acquisition. The city emphasized safety and code compliance, noting that permanent structures in medians would be evaluated carefully to avoid setting precedents. No direct contract awards or procurement decisions were made during the meeting, but the discussion outlined future opportunities for community partnerships and potential contracting for landscape maintenance after warranty periods expire.