@Mark - An Austin, TX investor bought up those duplexes along S. side of New Bern you were talking about. TBJ has an article about it but it’s behind a paywall. Providing link for those who have an account or know the tricks for getting past.
Looking at Wake County IMaps “New Bern Poole LLC” purchased “Longview Gardens” on 11/14/2017 (6.97 acres) for $4,655,700.
They also purchased properties on other side of Hawkins St., (2.13 acres) for $1,498,700 along with another small lot (0.36ac) for $305,600.