There's a road in Wilmington that shows off live oaks, historic estates, popular local restaurants and the Intracoastal Waterway.
When a 10-story hotel was proposed there, it didn't take long for people to chime in against the project.
According to a story in the Sept. 20, 1982, Wilmington Morning Star, more than 100 residents, neighbors and admirers of Airlie Road turned out for a "Save Airlie Road" meeting at Dr. Donald Getz's Edgewater estate.
The meeting was called to oppose a 10-story hotel project proposed for the Airlie waterfront. Getz also wanted to lobby for new zoning and building ordinances to prohibit similar projects.
Getz offered several options, including making the
road protected as a state historic site. To get the word out, Getz wanted bumper stickers sold throughout New Hanover County and "use the money to hire the people we need."
While the stretch has seen some residential growth in recent decades, Airlie Road does not have a 10-story hotel and is now a state scenic byway.
"I think we can save Airlie Road," Getz said. "Maybe not the way those of you who grew up here remember it, but in some semblance of its present state."
Owen Hassell is the local news editor for the StarNews. You can reach him at ohassell@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: From the archives: An effort to 'save' a scenic Wilmington road
