Swansboro to receive 319 grant
Swansboro will add dozens of public parking spaces within easy walking distance of downtown and reduce the amount of untreated storm-water runoff reaching the nearby White Oak River. Making the project even sweeter is the fact that the town will be getting financial assistance in the form of a Section 319 grant, federal funds distributed by the N.C. Division of Environmental Quality. “We’ve just received word that we’ve been awarded the grant,” Scott Chase, town manager, said the last week of July. The project will add 70 parking spaces and retrofit the town hall campus for better storm-water treatment. It is estimated to cost $284,130. The town was awarded $172,397 in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funds.
Plans to make Greensboro more bicycle-friendly
Intersections and roads across Greensboro are getting a makeover. Take Hamburger Square -- the intersection sandwiched between McGee Street, Davie Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. It's one of the most confusing intersections in downtown Greensboro. "To make it safer, you can see those bright green dedicated bike lanes there," said Hillary Meredith, with Action Greensboro. The goal is to create a more bikeable, walkable downtown and city.
Jacksonville project receives go-ahead for expansion project
Jacksonville’s Sturgeon City expansion now has the go ahead to start construction. The expansion also offers new opportunities for growing tourism and bringing folks to the downtown Jacksonville area. “It’s going to provide us with so much programming space as well as being available for other rentals and other community events and programs,” Paula Farnell, Sturgeon City’s director, said. “It’s really needed.”
Improvements to Wilmington’s Riverwalk rolling out
Several projects along the downtown attraction are nearly complete. Sightseers in downtown Wilmington can soon enjoy a longer, smoother trek on the Riverwalk thanks to a handful of improvements. After five months of repair work, the Riverfront Park Visitors Center is expected to fully reopen next week. A $70,000 project to repair the roof and exteriors, upgrade bathrooms and add fresh paint started in March.
