Good Afternoon Residents,
At last, we are dry after ten inches of rain this week! I hope everyone has an opportunity to stop by Porches tonight and enjoy the Baby Boomers. In addition to the group that played last Sunday, we are adding another band to the rotation on August 6th. More on that below.
Development Updates
Weather permitting, Monday should bring some increased construction activity on White Cliffs. The site contractor had their pre-construction meeting with the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority this week, and they have been staging equipment and material this week in anticipation of getting started. As I have indicated before, all of White Cliffs will be a construction zone, including access to the boat ramp and I would urge you not to enter that area during business hours while work is going on. If you go in after hours, please be careful and keep in mind that the work areas are not designed for pedestrian (or vehicular) passage. Once the utilities are set, the roadway surface will be prepped, and the paving will ultimately go all the way to the boat ramp area and the parking area and turn around for the ramp will be done at that time as well.
Traffic picked back up this week, and I’m sure you’ve seen the progress that JMP is making on Lot 38 with the foundation going in. Vahue Building is submitting their building permit first of next week for Lot 70. Today, we put the Oleander (by Herrington) on Lot 45 under contract with a closing scheduled for the end of this month. There are several closings scheduled for July and August, so you will see several homes starting in the next six weeks.
Amenities Update
Not a great deal was accomplished this week at the Boat/RV area given the three days of heavy rain. As I indicated last week, the permit for the completion of the Riverwalk and Marina is under review, and because of that, we are prohibited from making any improvements to any of the areas around the ramp right now. You will notice some sandbags by the ramp that we had to install around the transition area between the steps and the Riverwalk that was concrete. We are prohibited from replacing that with wood until the permit is approved and the recent heavy rains created some washout that the sandbags will prevent.
We are still collecting estimates for the upfit of the multi-use room at the fitness center, and that has proven to be a slow process given how busy contractors are right now. I am meeting with one on Monday, and we hope to get the others in next week as well.
Thanks to Ritt Schiano’s efforts, the development company will be installing a flagpole in front of the Mail Center very soon. It is supposed to be delivered next week, and in addition to the US flag, we will display small state flags representing the states that our residents have relocated from. It will be a great addition to Davis Square.
Neighborhood Safety
I’m sure you have all seen the recent posts regarding the progress of the Neighborhood Watch group and the deputy from the Sheriff’s Department will be returning to meet again and also tour the property at night to provide some suggestions. A reminder that Tyler Smith will be working all night on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and you may see him in the community on a golf cart.
Last week I mentioned the importance of calling 911 if you see something that doesn’t seem right and I also provided the non-emergency numbers for the Sheriff’s Department. This week I want to provide you with the number for the Greeter Station, 910-675-2183. There is a phone line there now, and they may also be reached via e-mail at greeter@riverbluffsliving.com. If the circumstances allow for it, it is a good idea to contact the Greeters once you’ve called 911 as they can help coordinate the response and direct emergency personnel to the location more quickly. Historically emergency personnel will not stop at the gate, so this is a good way to let us know if additional resources need to be deployed.
Thanks to Bob Conger, there are now signs posted in the fitness center, Porches, the Sales office and at the pool that will guide you to the community’s AED machine. This defibrillator is located in the rear of the fitness center building, and there will be a future meeting (after hours) to familiarize people with the machine and how to use it. All of the River Bluffs Sales and office staff have received training on the use of it.
Community Activities
We had a great turnout for last Saturday’s resident gathering and a special thanks to Otis White for his informative presentation on the history of some of the ships for which many of our neighborhood’s streets are named. We will plan another gathering for late in the fall when the temperature cools down.
Live Music – The Baby Boomers will be playing this evening at Porches and Overtyme was apparently a big hit last Sunday afternoon. We plan to have them back. On Sunday, August 6th from 4:00-7:00 the band “Moto’s†will be playing at Porches and they play a similar set to Overtyme.
Special Wilmington Water Tours Boat Ride – Thus far we have had 15 residents sign up for the Monday, July 31st “Dinner and a Boat Ride†event. Residents will be picked up at the River Bluffs Marina at 5:30 on Monday evening and enjoy a peaceful ride downtown to the Port City Marina to dine at Black Fin restaurant. The cost is $27.00 per person for the round trip boat ride, and we need 30 people to make the trip. The cost of dinner is additional. Reservations can be made by calling 910-338-3134. As I indicated last week, we hope to expand such events in the future which should allow the reduction of cost and the increase of frequency.
Operation Hope Front – Don’t forget it’s not too late to volunteer to help out with this neighborhood-led event that will provide a much-needed break for the spouses and children of soldiers deployed away from home. If you are interested in helping you can contact our own Tina Chadwick at 301-751-4790 or e-mail her at tinachadwick@outlook.com.
Farmer Market – Don’t forget that Stephen Douglass, our River Bluffs farmer, will be holding a market tomorrow on the porch of Porches from 11:00-2:00. He will have products from both our farm and his location in Teachey, NC. Please stop by and introduce yourself as he is anxious to get to know all of you.
Have a great weekend and enjoy the sunshine. As always, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
John Lennon