Transformational projects led by New Hanover County are expected to make progress this year, including Project Grace, The Healing Place and the redevelopment of the county government complex.

Project Grace refers to the redevelopment of a county-owned downtown block to include a new main branch of the county’s public library and a new Cape Fear Museum. The mixed-use development, which is still in design phases, is a public-private partnership between the county and Wilmington-based Zimmer Development Co.

Construction for The Healing Place, a peer-led residential drug and alcohol recovery facility on Medical Center Drive, began in early 2021.

Another public-private partnership, the transformation of the county government complex to include new county facilities and private development, is also currently underway with GHK Cape Fear Development.

Joining WilmingtonBiz Talk are County Manager Chris Coudriet and Sara Warmuth, the county’s chief facilities officer, to discuss the status of the planned structures and those under construction.

The panel:

Chris Coudriet, New Hanover County Manager

Chris Coudriet serves as chief administrator of the county government and maintains responsibility for administering all departments under the general control of the five-member board of commissioners. He has been county manager since 2012.

Sara Warmuth, New Hanover County Chief Facilities Officer

Sara Warmuth is New Hanover County’s chief facilities officer and has served with the county since July 2018. She oversees the county’s fleet management, custodial work, maintenance of all county buildings and management of the county’s construction and renovation projects.

WilmingtonBiz Talk is a weekly interview program on Facebook Live, which is rebroadcast on YouTube and numerous podcasting platforms. The Business Journal newsroom selects guests based on current events so our community can hear directly from newsmakers.