On June 16, 2006, the Cameron family and their partners sold a 1,330-acre parcel to Newland Communities. This land, which will soon be the community of River Road, was originally bought by the Cameron family after plans to build a factory failed. Then, in 1999, the New Hanover County Commissioners rezoned it from industrial to residential use.

By closely working with the county and current River Road residents, Newland crafted a new proposal that reduces the overall impact and burden on the county. We also conducted environmental and traffic impact studies. Benefits of the new proposal include:

  1. Overall reduction in the number of single-family homes and townhomes from 3,366 to 2,290 (30% reduction)
  2. Reduction in the number of dedicated commercial acres from 29 to 22 acres (24% reduction)
  3. Open space from 494 to nearly 700 acres
  4. Increase in the number of dedicated park acres from 15 to 19 acres, including four acres of river front (21% increase)
  5. Placement of River Road to increase the protection of the sand ridges and better preserve the wetland areas near the river
  6. Addition of a public boardwalk along the river with public access to the dock

Newland continues to have ongoing communication with both the Arrowhead and Silva Terra communities since the planning of the River Road relocation began. During the clearing of the road, we engaged four land architects to propose different options for the buffer that will create both an aesthetic and sound barrier between the two communities and the road.

Newland presented those options on Monday, November 26, 2007. Members from the community homeowner associations were invited to give their feedback. The members were also given plans to take back to other board members of the homeowner associations to gain their feedback for final input to Newland so a design can be determined in early 2008.

Construction on the buffer is slated to begin summer 2008 and will be completed before the road is open to the public.

Development Guidelines

Our Vision and Guiding Principles for River Road
The guiding principles for River Road are as follows:

1. Strong relationship to water and outdoors
The defining amenity is direct access and frontage on the Cape Fear River. The community will have several docks along the three-mile-long Riverwalk which will provide water access to the Marina Village and later on the Village Center. A 27-acre freshwater lake will be surrounded by the extensive trail system and Newland will work with local partners to ensure the health and stability of all marine and plant life at the future lake.

2. Village core to act as the hub of the community—heart and soul
The village center is envisioned as a thriving hub incorporating boutique-style retail shops, along with those that address day-to-day needs and wants such as a village grocer, a coffeehouse, a newsstand and bookstore, the village launderer, a post office and more. In addition, there will be a mix of restaurants to sample, along with programmed activities such as art shows, wine tastings and perhaps a jazz band or the local symphony on special evenings. The village center will be open to the public and will be sure to be the heartbeat that creates vibrancy throughout the community.

3. Architectural variety and authenticity to Wilmington vernacular
The community is planned to include distinctive neighborhoods of single-family and attached homes reflecting area architecture, so named "low country meets shingle style". In particular and where applicable, true harvested river wood from the Cape Fear River will be used throughout the community.

4. Create community interaction through neighborhood and community design
As with any thoughtfully planned community, the lifestyle will truly be the defining factor. River Road is being planned as a soulful community that will give its residents the opportunity to live life at their very best-connected to water, nature, spirituality, healthy living systems, cultural activities with immediate access to a thriving historical town and beautiful beaches and possibilities for continuing education and bettering oneself, as well as offer connectivity to others.