The two-acre tract of prime waterfront property between Union Point Park and the urban renewal site, owned by the Texaco Corporation, housed a vacant gas station and unused bulk storage tanks.

In the early '80's, when the city voiced an interest in purchasing the Texaco site, Swiss Bear contacted Texaco corporate officials and lobbied for the property. Community leaders and public officials shared revitalization and waterfront development plans with Texaco officials during their visit to New Bern. This led to the donation of 1.2 acres of property to the city and sale of .8 acres to Swiss Bear. Upon removal of the fuel storage tanks and demolition of the gas station, the land was annexed and used to expand Union Point Park. In the late '90's, Swiss Bear coordinated the Put Your Mark on the Park campaign raising $350,000 to assist the city with funding for major improvements to Union Point Park that included a new bulkhead, promenade, railing, and restrooms.