A downtown Wilmington community center is set to undergo renovations. Here's what to expect.

Megan Pociask, Wilmington StarNews
·2 min read
The Martin Luther King Community Center at 401 S. 8th St. In Wilmington, N.C. The city has approved funding to update a commercial gym, kitchen and lobby. KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS
The Martin Luther King Community Center at 401 S. 8th St. In Wilmington, N.C. The city has approved funding to update a commercial gym, kitchen and lobby. KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS

On any given day at Wilmington's MLK Community Center, you might find kids playing basketball, teens participating in mentoring or adults creating crafts. These are just a few of the activities offered at the center, which is now set to undergo a major renovation.

The center, at 401 S. Eighth St., has become a vital part of the downtown community. It began in the 1070s primarily for organizations to conduct public services like health clinics. Since then, it has evolved into a city institution that offers a multitude of programs to the community.

“We are excited for all efforts to improve downtown as a place to work and live. Enhancing resources like the MLK Center will add to the quality of life for the entire community,” said Kelli Jones, president of the Downtown Business Alliance.

The center has undergone small upgrades in the past, like ensuring ADA compliance and modernizing its amenities. Now, upgrades to the center will include new restrooms, a lobby, office space, a high school regulation sized gym and a commercial kitchen for a total increase of 11,275 square feet in renovations.

The city of Wilmington has set aside nearly $5.7 million for the project.

Tennis Courts at the Martin Luther King Community Center at 401 S. 8th St. In Wilmington, N.C. The city has approved funding to update a commercial gym, kitchen and lobby. KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS
Tennis Courts at the Martin Luther King Community Center at 401 S. 8th St. In Wilmington, N.C. The city has approved funding to update a commercial gym, kitchen and lobby. KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS

Find More: Plans for developing a prime piece of property could change the look of Castle Street

“This amount includes additional funding needed for the construction contract award, a 5% construction contingency, construction administration services, special inspection services and construction material testing services,” according to city staff.

The funding for the community center comes in part from the Wilmington Parks Bond Referendum that was passed in late 2016, as well as from the city’s allocated funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.

“The need for the public indoor gym addition is due to the public growth in athletic programs, the increase in the number of facility rentals and the use of the community center by various organizations for their programs and meetings,” city staff wrote in an email. “The kitchen upgrades were identified by MLK Community Center staff along with nonprofit partner, Community Enrichment Initiatives, Inc.”

The kitchen upgrade will provide hands-on learning with nutrition-based education and job development opportunities for the community.

The public can expect upgrades to begin during the first quarter of 2024 and the project is anticipated to be completed during the first or second quarter of 2025.

The center is not expected to shut down during construction.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington's MLK Community Center to see upgrades, renovations