Morehead City officials are reviewing a proposal known as Project Grander, which may involve a new public park along the downtown waterfront.
Morehead is in Carteret County, north of Camp Lejeune. The project has drawn public attention after social media posts by Mayor Jerry Jones and council member Lee Stiles, who is also a candidate in an upcoming mayoral runoff.
Stiles suggested in one post that the park could be built near Big Rock Landing and might involve the use of eminent domain. However, city officials have not confirmed a specific location.
According to Morehead City public information officer Anna Smith, in February 2023, the City Council directed staff to research an economic development project focused on expanding public waterfront spaces. Smith said staff have provided updates to the council during closed sessions permitted by state law, as well as during subcommittee meetings and a strategic retreat in December.
Smith said up to four other public properties could be sold to help fund the proposed park, though no official decisions have been made. Any vote would require public input and formal discussion.
An update on the project is scheduled for the Jan. 13 City Council meeting at 5:30 p.m.
A 141-page strategic document adopted by the city in 2023 recommended two to three new parks in residential areas but did not reference a waterfront park.
City officials released a full statement and an audio recording of the December retreat. The discussion comes less than two months before the mayoral runoff between Jones and Stiles.
News 12 plans to attend the upcoming council meeting to monitor further developments.
