Wilmington group proposes plan to expand outdoor dining and shopping on Front Street

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Downtown is the main reason Brina Carrier and her husband say they moved to Wilmington, and she likes ideas that can build on and improve the area’s sense of community.

“I think it would be really interesting to host events in that style and to like bring people together and sort of like, I guess, create a sense of solidarity in getting to know everybody,” Carrier said.

And helping businesses thrive and attract more people like her is the focus of a new proposal from Wilmington Downtown Inc.

During a meeting on Wednesday at Front Street Brewery, a WDI official shared more about two models that aim to support brick-and-mortar businesses.

One option involves closing a section of Front Street to parking and allowing restaurants to expand their seating into designated on-street parking spaces.

The second option closes specific blocks to vehicular traffic between Dock and Princess streets.

Think of it as a pedestrian plaza with outdoor dining and retail, and perhaps concerts in some spots.

Cilmington Downtown Incorporated President and CEO Christina Haley said it could give a much-needed boost to help out many businesses in the area.

“I believe it would improve perceptions around downtown, create a more vibrant district for our community and offer something special and unique here in the downtown core,” Haley said.

For now, they’re looking at doing it during what’s called the “shoulder seasons”, which are fall and spring.

Jason Henderson is a co-owner of Tarantelli’s at the corner of 2nd and Dock streets.

Closing off entire streets, he said, would negatively impact his business.

“Basing my experience on when streets are closed off and even if its just for the art festival that happens on Dock Street, which is right in front of our place of business, the number of guests that we host on those days goes down,” Henderson said.

Other owners, like Eli Ellsworth of Barbary Coast, shared similar concerns.

Chap Wallace owns Port City Cheesesteak.

He said people who live here and visitors have so many options to choose from in Wilmington.

That’s why, Wallace says, new ideas need to be considered and tried to help downtown.

“Add vibrancy, to add new ideas, to add things to it. if you do not, with all of the new options that the people in the area have, then you will become the dinosaur,” Wallace said.

Haly said a survey sent to the community has received more than 150 responses, with the overwhelming majority in favor of the proposed idea.

She added that more feedback is needed before this can be brought to the City Council.