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Progress toward a dramatically revamped North Water Street in downtown Wilmington continues with a newly amended design contract.
While most of the city’s recent momentum has been on the first block of North Water–“phase one,” with plans to modernize the roadway and Riverfront Park space between Market and Princess streets–the updated contract’s focus is a second phase reaching roughly another four blocks north.
“This second phase will include streetscape improvements, road resurfacing and storm drain repairs from the north side of [Water Street’s] Princess Street intersection to approximately mid-block between Walnut and Red Cross Street,” a narrative from the city explained.
The estimated cost is $2.8 million and work could begin in fall 2015, the city said. Its funding source would be the Five Year Capital Improvement Plan, a property-tax-supported program of infrastructural upgrades around the city.
Wilmington City Council on Tuesday awarded a $331,000 amendment in a contract with Andrew Consulting Engineers, of Wilmington, for the phase-two design work. Andrew is handling the phase-one design as well.
The amended contract notes a plan to install “curb bump outs” where Water Street intersects Chestnut, Grace and Walnut streets.
(While Chestnut currently dead-ends a block east on Front Street, the city plans to extend it to Water Street in conjunction with a separate planned development there–related story.)
“Bump outs” are brief extensions of sidewalk that bulb into the roadway, favoring pedestrians and shortening crosswalk distance.
“Amenities including benches, trash receptacles, bike racks, newspaper stands, and landscape materials will be designed for the curb bump out locations,” the contract says, noting they’ll be consistent with what’s on Front Street and Third Street today.
The curb line–concrete, presently–would be replaced with granite.
And that stretch of Water Street itself–pocked with holes and lumpy with patches–would take on a smooth, new layer of asphalt.
“Tree grates will be installed throughout the project limits. Cross walks will be provided with brick pavers and concrete edge bands with reflective markings,” the scope continued.
Story: Redevelopments imagined for Chestnut, Grace streets
The project would maintain all on-street parking spaces.
Andrew Consulting Engineers plans to prepare conceptual drawings to depict what’s envisioned.
In January, the city applied for $225,000 from the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund–a state grant source that draws a lot of competing applications–to aid phase-one of the overall revamp.
The city would have to match the funds fully if awarded. It would offset the then-estimate of $2.88 million for a redeveloped Riverfront Park and Water Street on that first block, across from the Alton Lennon Federal Building.
The scope has included removal of the old, wooden walkway at the foot of Market Street overlooking the Cape Fear River. In its place, as discussed, would be a single-level walking surface. (Imagine driving west on Market Street toward the riverfront and having a less-obstructed view of the Cape Fear.)
Designs presented to the city council have also included a pergola, swings and other relaxation and observation features.
Andrew received that design contract for $352,000, awarded in March 2013.
In May, in a project not affiliated with Andrew, the city council heard a presentation for a new, azalea-shaped fountain to replace the long-dry fountain pit occupying the park now.
Overall, it would be the area’s first major re-do since the 1980s.
“A public input option has been included in the current proposal,” the narrative said Tuesday, “and can be used if additional public input is required to complete the project.”
Ben Brown is a news reporter at Port City Daily. Reach him at [email protected] or (910) 772-6335. On Twitter:@benbrownmedia
