Business owners express excitement, concern on Riverfront Park project

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) –Improvements to a section of Water Street will shut down traffic starting September 21.

It’s phase one of a $6.3 million overhaul of the Riverfront Park and Water Street. The improvements include repairs and updates to the Riverwalk area, but some businesses are concerned about the immediate impact. The block of Water Street from Market to Princess streets will shut down to traffic when the repairs begin. That’s just fine to business owner Jim Bitto.

“Everything over there is a trip hazzard, it’s almost dangerous to walk over there,” Bitto said. “We’ve been looking to something being done for a long time.”

His neighbor, long time owner of Imago Hair Studio Chad Bean, is excited too but also a little worried about how the road closure could affect traffic.

“Change is good, but it’s also difficult at times,” Chad Bean said. “I’ve been downtown for 15 years. I’ve seen it on Front Street, and eventually it’s going to have to happen down here.  I’m really excited to see Riverfront Park improvements, but not looking forward to the street closure.”

The closure is for Riverwalk improvements that include water and sewer updates. That location is also where Riverfest is held in October.

“We’re going to lose the real estate between Princess and Market on Water which is going to shift over the festival down about a block, but that’s the only affect the construction will have on Riverfest,” festival chair Chris Snowden said.

Two public information meetings are happening next week. One is Monday night at City Council chambers at 5:30 p.m. The second will be Wednesday on the Federal Courthouse steps at 10 a.m.