1. The Upper Albemarle will become A Compelling Family Travel Destination

2. Sandy Point unlocks the magic
Sandy Point’s proximity to Edenton and its central location in the Upper Albemarle will permit the New Urban Waterfront Resort Village to serve as the locus of Upper Albemarle Tourism –
The place where tourism resources are marshaled,
The central coordinating venue, the launch site, and
The primary transient lodging venue.
Upper Albemarle residents and visitors alike marvel at the region’s natural beauty, historical significance and range of cultural amenities.
But … no matter how extraordinary the promise, without Sandy Point, the Upper Albemarle cannot compete effectively as a family travel destination.
Visitors in large numbers have nowhere to stay, as the area offers only the slimmest of holiday or vacation lodging alternatives;
Visitors have only limited – in the sense of inflexible and time constrained – access to the region’s truly remarkable historical resources;
Visitors have inconsistent access to the Upper Albemarle’s superb cultural resources; and
Visitors have virtually no access to the Upper Albemarle’s amazing natural resources. 
March 2012
Destination Upper Albemarle

3. Destination: Upper Albemarle
The Recreational, Historical and Cultural pursuits that make the Upper Albemarle special will each have a place at Sandy Point.
History. From Sandy Point, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in American Colonial, Revolutionary and Civil War history throughout the Upper Albemarle and to explore pre-Columbian settlement patterns.
Nature. Nature abounds in maritime forest and in the waters of Albemarle Sound and the rivers, streams and swamps that feed the Sound.
There will be abundant and varied opportunities for visitors to experience nature on foot, by kayak or in the comfort of a tour boat.
Meandering through the Coastal plain from southwestern Virginia to Albemarle Sound and on to the Atlantic Ocean, “the Roanoke River spreads out through the largest intact bottomland hardwood swamp forest east of the Mississippi. Mistletoe and Spanish moss decorate majestic cypress trees and towering tupelos. Blossoms of cardinal flowers blaze in shafts of sunlight underneath.  The area is home to black bear, river otter, white-tail deer, bobcat, beaver and mink. Over 200 bird species have been identified including bald eagles, barred owl, osprey, and anhinga. Coupled with the hundreds of great egrets and great blue herons nesting in the region, it is a birdwatcher's paradise. The River is renowned for its abundance of striped bass, largemouth bass, black crappie, catfish, gar and bowfin. Just above the waterline, turtles sun on logs near the banks.”
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Destination Upper Albemarle

4. Destination: Upper Albemarle
Fishing. There is commercial and recreational fishing in Albemarle Sound for, e.g., Rockfish or Striped Bass, Flounder and Blue Crab.
Anglers can pursue trophy Largemouth Bass up the Chowan and Roanoke Rivers, and the hardiest can chase billfish off the nearby Outer Banks, through Oregon Inlet and from Ocracoke and Hatteras Islands.
Field Sports. Field sports are actively pursued throughout northeastern North Carolina.
There will be trap houses and archery facilities at Sandy Point and guides to take shooters after winged prey, e.g., ducks, geese, dove and turkey.
Hunters can stalk an abundance of deer, and the most aggressive can chase black bear through the swamps and maritime forests.
Boating. Sailing, cruising, canoeing and kayaking will be available at Sandy Point, throughout the Upper Albemarle and beyond.
Cruisers traveling the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway will be welcomed at Sandy Point and in other Upper Albemarle waterfront communities.
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Destination Upper Albemarle

5. Destination: Upper Albemarle
Cycling. Bicycle touring is a recurring Upper Albemarle attraction. Tours explore country roads and trace the rivers and sounds to the Outer Banks.
There is room for a Velodrome at Sandy Point and the opportunity to stage two-wheel competition in the Upper Albemarle.
Equestrian Sports. Equestrian sports, from dressage to polo, will be enjoyed at Sandy Point, where there will be bridle paths and where paddocks and riding rings can be constructed.
Golf. Sandy Point abuts the Chowan Golf & Country Club, and there are two fine private golf courses twenty minute from Sandy Point by vehicle or by water-taxi.
Golfers can enjoy a cocktail on the fantail of their launch while returning to the Sandy Point Wharf from a round of golf with friends.
The Chowan Golf & Country Club is a member-owned club eager for new members that will benefit from reuse water from the Sandy Point wastewater treatment facility for irrigation.
March 2012
Destination Upper Albemarle

6. Festivals, Competitions and Events
From the outset, Resort Development at Sandy Point will inexorably create
waterfront and other appropriate spaces for markets and festivals,
the opportunity to host competitions (e.g., sailing regattas, fishing tournaments, soccer matches, field trials, bicycle rallies) and
the wherewithal to stage all manner of marketing events.
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Destination Upper Albemarle

7. Destination Upper Albemarle
Marketing
Sandy Point’s Marketing will leverage the Upper Albemarle vision, its singular, New Urban Waterfront land plan, its architecture and those with a role in its development, e.g.,
Andrés Duany, whose following is considerable,
CNU, other architects, designers, policy contributors,
NC State University, for the University’s agricultural contribution,
Edenton, the ‘South’s prettiest small town,’
Other Institutions….
Sandy Point will exploit Digital Marketing, Social Media, etc. , but Gorilla Marketing techniques (e.g., face-to-face promotion and niche targeting) will be pursued
Sandy Point will cooperate with other Upper Albemarle Communities
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Destination Upper Albemarle

8. Build on the Foundation
Resort development at Sandy Point will ignite Upper Albemarle tourism and create escalating levels of opportunity in the Upper Albemarle.
Tourism resources in Edenton, at the Airport, at Mackey’s Ferry, in Plymouth, in Columbia, in Hertford and throughout the Upper Albemarle can be profitably expanded and enhanced.
And everyone benefits, as any improvement to the resources of one Upper Albemarle community will enhance the value of the resources in all other Upper Albemarle communities.
Seaside changed the character of its surrounding area from the 'Redneck Riviera' to the 'Hamptons of the Southeast' over 15 years and had a commensurate effect on real estate values.
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Destination Upper Albemarle

9. Hotel Edenton, East King Street
The mid-Century Hotel was converted into a County Office Building, then vacated when new County Facilities were constructed.
1767 Courthouse is situated immediately to the right of the Hotel
The Courthouse Green is diagonally across King Street from the Hotel
There is amble parking behind the Hotel
Hotel Edenton, in the heart of Edenton’s Historic District, is available for redevelopment
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Destination Upper Albemarle

10. Destination Upper Albemarle
Hotel Redevelopment
Chowan County, which owns the building, is eager to surrender the former hotel property to a capable developer with an appropriate redevelopment plan.
Such a plan will likely entail Ground Floor Retail and Sixty Hotel Rooms over three floors.
March 2012
Destination Upper Albemarle

11. Pembroke Hall, West King Street
The Grandest old Mansion in Edenton
Pembroke Hall is an 1850 Greek Revival Mansion so admired in Edenton that civic minded residents acquired the National Register property in 2010 to preserve it. Now restored, Pembroke Hall is offered for sale at $1.4 million to ‘someone prepared to care for the 5,500 square foot home’ on two acres in the heart of Edenton’s Historic District and overlooking Edenton Bay.
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Destination Upper Albemarle

12. Destination Upper Albemarle
Pembroke Hall would be a marvelous venue for Upper Albemarle visitors to enjoy High Tea with Colonial Dames in period costumes
Grand front-to-back center halls, both upstairs and down, open to double-tiered porticoes offering picturesque views of other significant historic homes on King Street to the north and of Edenton Bay to the south.
The gracious, stately home features exquisite carved moldings and plasterwork, handsome woodwork, floor to ceiling windows, marble mantels, eight fireplaces, plus a full basement with four additional fireplaces and a wine cellar.
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Destination Upper Albemarle

13. Edenton Municipal Airport
Edenton Municipal Airport can play an important role in the development of Upper Albemarle tourism.
To ensure that the Airport is always ready and capable, Sandy Point’s developer/s will want to serve or to attract others to serve as the Airport’s Fixed Base Operator.
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Destination Upper Albemarle

14. Destination Upper Albemarle
Fixed Base Operator
A Fixed Base Operator (FBO), under contract to the Town of Edenton, would be responsibility for airport operations and would compensate (i.e., revenue share with) the Town.
In direct support of Upper Albemarle tourism, the FBO would ensure that the airport is ready to accept holiday flights from Europe, South America and throughout North American.
The Airport can be linked to the Sandy Point Resort Village and to Edenton for Pedestrian, Bicycle and Electric Vehicle traffic by a cart path.
There will be opportunity to develop resort-related facilities (including transient lodging) at the Airport.
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Destination Upper Albemarle

15. Chowan Golf & Country Club
The Chowan Golf and Country Club is eager for new members and will benefit from reuse water for irrigation from Sandy Point’s wastewater treatment facility. The Club’s fourteenth fairway abuts the Sandy Point property.
Sandy Point’s principals were asked to assume control of the Club but declined, concluding that it would be more appropriate to simply support the Club. That decision can be reconsidered.
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Destination Upper Albemarle

16. Water Taxis and Ferries
The Range Boat 39, at left, is a luxurious waterborne limousine that can transport six-plus passengers (and, e.g., their golf clubs or picnic supplies) throughout the Upper Albemarle in style.
Served by a crew of two and with such conveniences as a toilet and snack bar, the 45-foot aluminum Catamaran (above/below) can comfortably ferry 49 passengers at twenty knots (23 mph).
Water Taxis and Ferries are ideal transportation for residents and visitors traveling between and among Upper Albemarle communities.
A Ferry service should be established between Sandy Point’s Wharf and Edenton’s Municipal Pier.
Swift monohulls can transport private groups to and from neighboring golf courses, on fishing expeditions or sightseeing excursions, to island picnic venues and for sundry other adventures.
March 2012
Destination Upper Albemarle

17. Inland Waterway Cruise Ship
The Upper Albemarle is an ideal venue from which to originate Inland Waterway Cruises.
A vessel comparable to that pictured may be home- ported at the Sandy Point Wharf or Edenton’s Municipal Docks, from which it can embark passengers for adventures near and far.
Cruise itineraries might include:
Overnight excursions to Roanoke Island to tour the Elizabethan Gardens and enjoy the Lost Colony Pageant
Natural history cruises through North Carolina’s inland waterways (e.g., exploring Ocracoke and Hatteras Islands and searching for Blackbeard’s lair) or through the Dismal Swamp Canal into Chesapeake Bay
Three-day cruises to Washington, DC, for cultural, political or sporting events
Coastal golf cruises, north to Baltimore and Philadelphia or south to Charleston and Savannah
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Destination Upper Albemarle

18. Regional Market Position
The Upper Albemarle may be seen at the outset as an alternative to the Outer Banks, (a) where quality lodging is perceived as prohibitively expensive, (b) where there are virtually no walkable communities and (c) where development has long since outstripped the capacity of the land: “From Kitty Hawk south through Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and South Nags Head,” reports the National Geographic Traveler (2003), “each colorful name identified no distinguishable town – just notches along a belt of beach-burb. Kitty Snag, I call it.” In fact, families may well conclude that the Upper Albemarle is the better alternative and the best place from which to visit the Outer Banks for a day.
National Geographic Traveler, July 18, More recently (March 30, 2006), Catherine Kozak, The Virginian-Pilot, reported, “National Geographic expert warns of losing unique flavor on Outer Banks.”
March 2012
Destination Upper Albemarle