History with ‘Hud’: The decades-long construction of Wilmington’s iconic riverwalk
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — It’s hard to imagine Wilmington without its iconic Riverwalk, which regularly ranks by USA Today as one of the top ten riverwalks in the country. But just a few decades ago the waterfront was a far more untamed shoreline.
When major retailers moved out of downtown in the 1960s and 1970s as a result of urban sprawl, the streets became dominated by adult entertainment stores and topless bars. But that began to change along with the overall vision for the city with the inaugural Riverfest in 1979.
Construction on the initial phase of the riverwalk kicked off the next year in 1980. The first portion started at the foot of Market Street, with a visitors’ center aimed to enhance pedestrian amenities.
More work continued through the late 1980s as the city continued to snatch up pieces of property for the riverwalk as opportunities presented themselves.
By 1989 the riverwalk was expanding further, to include the space in front of the Hilton (now the Hotel Ballast) with a new bulkhead and boardwalk.
The first of the linear riverwalk projects kicked off in 2003 with the turn of the century, between Nun and Dock streets, which is a very popular tourist destination today.
By the end of the decade the northern-most section was completed in 2010. But it wasn’t until November 18, 2017 when Mayor Bill Saffo announced Riverwalk Day, signifying the completion of the riverwalk project, totaling more than $33 million at the time.
The completed riverwalk extends 1.75 miles along the Cape Fear River from Nun Street to the Isabel Holmes Bridge, providing great views of the bustling river. It also includes certain attractions along the walk, including a 15-foot Venus flytrap sculpture and historic buildings. There are also a lot of restaurants and shops, especially on the southern end.
Although the riverwalk was completed years ago, maintenance remains an ongoing effort. The city dedicates more than $200,000 annually as part of its Capital Improvement Program. There is also a $25,000 annual budget for pop-up repairs.
Most recently the city has begun a board replacement project, having done more than 1,000 feet of work. Officials have paused for the busy summer tourist season, but more work is planned in future phases.
With it being such a popular spot for tourists and visitors alike to enjoy a stroll along the water, the riverwalk should remain a must-see attraction for decades to come.
Meteorologist Matthew Huddleston (‘Hud’) has always had two major loves – weather and history. While you can watch him talk about weather each morning on WWAY, he looks forward to bringing you a little piece of history each Thursday on WWAY’s website.
To read other History with ‘Hud’ segments, click HERE.
