Wilmington adding more downtown restrooms

The need for more public restrooms in downtown Wilmington is something locals, visitors, and city leaders all recognize.

There are currently two restrooms along the riverfront, at the base of Market Street. There is one female stall and male stall. Downtown resident Wade Griffis said, “I have seen six or eight people lined up.”

In the month of July alone, more than 15,000 visitors stopped by the information booth, which is located next to the restrooms. Then there are the tourists who come by way of water. The city reports its dock usage has increased more than 100% since 2001.

Wilmington Mayor Pro Tem Jim Quinn said, “The boats, even though they have facilities on them, are not necessarily the most commodious.”

The city is using a $51,000 state grant to build new facilities next to the current restrooms. Two showers and two restrooms will only be for boaters who pay docking fees. Quinn said the additions will make Wilmington more competitive with other cities and increase tourism.

Boat owner Thurman Burgess said, “I think it will sort of increase the boat traffic along the river here and that’s good for business, that’s good for downtown.”

Two public restrooms will also be added to the current facility, for a total of four public restrooms downtown. “We need more. This is by no means the answer,” said Quinn. But many agree it is a start.

Griffis has been waiting for more public restrooms downtown for nearly a decade. He said, “I’m happy they’re doing that, it’s better than what we have, but it’s still not adequate.”

Construction is expected to start on the new facilities within three to six months. In response to all the waterfront activity, the city hired a security guard to patrol the docks five nights a week.