WILMINGTON — To ease the burden small businesses have faced during construction of the North Front Street Streetscape project, the city is waiting until after the holidays to re-install parking meters on the north end of Front Street.
The parking meters had to come down earlier in the spring when construction got underway for the two-phase, $3.5-million project, a collaboration with Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, after months of delays. The 200 North Front block was first affected as crews poured new sidewalks, installed granite curbing, and improved lighting and landscaping. It was completed by mid-October before construction moved into the 300 block.
READ MORE: North Front Street block opens with free parking … for now
The city emailed impacted businesses that the 200 block road would open to vehicular traffic and parking and the meters would be installed “in the near future.”
During November’s Municipal Service District committee meeting, city parking manager Chance Dunbar told the group parking meters will not be re-installed for either section until after the holidays.
City spokesperson Dylan Lee confirmed the news to Port City Daily Wednesday.
“They will go up early in the upcoming year,” he wrote in an email, though the exact date and sequence has yet to be determined. “This is to help the affected businesses during this busy season.”
Lee noted there is still a strict two-hour parking limit on the 26 marked spaces between 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Dunbar said during the MSD committee meeting, when the street first re-opened, the time limits were being “softly enforced.” By the beginning of November, the city started issuing warning citations.
“We’re still doing the one-strike rule,” he told committee members. “If it’s a second or third offense, it’s a $25 citation.
Construction is supposed to be completed in the 300 block of North Front Street by December — specifically, Dec. 11, Dunbar said during the meeting. The City of Wilmington’s holiday parade takes place that Sunday at dusk.
“After the parade, there will still be some streetscaping and landscaping items to finish up,” he added.
Have comments or tips? Email [email protected]
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
