Staff Reports
State and city crews this week moved from debate to action. North Carolina Department of Transportation crews retrieved two dozen unauthorized benches from state rights‑of‑way, and the City of Wilmington removed and put the rest into storage while officials and the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) haggle over whether the makeshift seats can stay. What started as a feel‑good, activist stunt quickly turned into a lesson about public rules, safety standards, and who gets to decide what sits on our sidewalks.
Why officials pulled the benches
The civic case is simple: rights‑of‑way are governed by rules. State lanes require encroachment permits, benches must meet engineering and ADA standards, and transit officials say they need to control maintenance and liability. NCDOT officials called the DSA benches a safety hazard and removed 24 of them from state property; the city collected the remaining handful and stored them while it works toward a temporary‑use arrangement. WAVE, the local transit agency, told residents the benches were put in place without following permitting and may not meet wind‑load, mounting or accessibility requirements. Public safety and clear rules matter — even when the culprit is wearing a “solidarity” sticker.
Activism or illegal vending of political propaganda?
The DSA says it was filling a gap: adding cheap, hand‑built benches where the transit authority hasn’t yet installed official seating. Fine — until those benches carry political slogans and ignore the law. Some of the boards were painted with messages promoting socialism and group logos, and one bench became the scene of a vandalism spat when an opposing group claimed credit for repainting it. Grassroots energy can help communities, but mutual aid doesn’t come with a get‑out‑of‑rules‑free card. You don’t get to convert public rights‑of‑way into campaign property just because you glued a plank together.
Fix the problem, don’t play politics with taxpayers
There’s a side to this story people on both sides ignore: Wilmington’s transit system manages about 400 stops, but only roughly 98 have benches or shelters, and WAVE has a planned project to add amenities to about 38 stops on a timeline measured in months to a year and with a price tag in the hundreds of thousands. That’s bureaucratic reality — and it’s fair game for criticism. But the right answer isn’t lawless DIY. If activists want to help, they should work within a program that ensures designs meet ADA and safety standards and protects taxpayers from maintenance and liability costs. New Hanover County Commissioner Dane Scalise has pushed back, asking the state to review any apparent partnership. Local leaders should insist on standards, not stunt theatre.
Bottom line
Good intentions don’t trump the rule of law. If the DSA wants benches in public places, build them to code, follow permitting, and give WAVE and the city the specs and warranties they need. If the city wants temporary help, create a formal donation or approval process so citizens can contribute without creating hazards or political billboards on public property. Public space should be for public use — not performance art or propaganda. The benches are now in storage; let’s hope common sense gets a seat at the table before anyone nails another plank to a curb.
