Businesses struggling as Wilmington riverfront project is delayed

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The downtown Wilmington riverfront is going to be blocked off for a little while longer and it is affecting businesses in the area.

A city spokesman said the Riverfront Park improvement project on Water Street was supposed to be done this month, but Hurricane Matthew caused some delays.

“They’ve forgotten about the heart and soul of downtown,” Former Wilmington Mayor Harper Peterson said.

At the corner of Market and Water Streets, you will find a slew of shops and restaurants on one side. On the other side, you can see the number one riverfront in America, but for the last year, that has all been blocked.

“Businesses are barely hanging on, about to go out of business,” Peterson said.

Former Wilmington Mayor Harper Peterson owns several properties impacted and said the project is taking a huge toll on local businesses.

“The city really hasn’t communicated to the merchants here,” Harper Peterson said. “We’re the number one riverfront in America and this is what we have to show for it? Large signs that say the road is closed. It’s intimidating, daunting to pedestrians and visitors to come downtown.”

Executive Chef of Kabob Shabber Chowdhury said they have lost about 70 percent of their business.

“You can see the whole place is empty,” Chowdhury said.

Once this project is complete, the street will have much needed sewer and stormwater drain improvements and streetscaping making the riverfront even more appealing.

A city spokesman said the project will be complete and the road back open in January. Meanwhile, the businesses on that corner are anxiously waiting to finally see the other side again.

“We don’t have any other choice except to keep our fingers crossed,” Chowdhury said.