Kinston and Lenoir County will have the Riverwalk community leaders have been looking for, but it’s going to take a while before the project is completed.
Bill Ellis, director of the Kinston/Lenoir County Parks and Recreation Department, said there have been plans initiated to start the process for the 2.4-mile path, which would help in the economic development of the area.
“The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Pedestrian/Bicycle Division has a consultant right now working on the design of the trail and we’re working on figuring out the route,” Ellis said. “We should be done within the next 90 to 120 days.”
The trail will go from Pearson Park, down to the Neuse River and the Woodmen Community Center.
“We’re connecting two state historic sites, with the Neuse side and Caswell side,” Ellis said. “Also, it connects the Woodmen Center to downtown, and we can improve the water access to Pearson Park.”
Construction of the project will begin before June 2015. Ellis said there is enough money to start the Riverwalk, but grants and investments will be needed to fund the rest.
“The estimated cost of the project will be around $2 million,” Ellis said. “We have $300,000 right now, and we’ll be applying for grants, so we can get this project going. We hope to have it fully completed by mid-2016, but realistically, I believe it will be 2018.”
Kinston mayor B.J. Murphy said the benefits of the Riverwalk will be worth it for the region.
“The Riverwalk could be a catalyst for healthy living, quality of life and connecting commerce in Kinston and Lenoir County,” Murphy said. “It would give us the opportunity to accentuate the river, our communities, natural assets we already have and increase tourism dollars.”
Tony Sears, city manager of Kinston, said the project would be great for the city and county.
“This project will give citizens an area to walk and exercise, as well as provide alternative transportation for bicyclers and pedestrians,” Sears said. “We hope it increases tourism and increases interest to private businesses to relocate along the corridor, helping our downtown development.”
Sears said he doubts taxpayers will have to give to the project.
“I would be absolutely stunned if taxes go up because of the Riverwalk,” Sears said.
Lenoir County Economic Development Director Mark Pope said the Riverwalk is off to a good start with the initial plans already set.
“I think it’s a great project with a lot of economic benefits as well as something for all citizens to use,” Pope said. “We’ve laid out the first leg, bringing in people from DOT and leaders in the community who would be involved with the project. Once everything is put together, we can see where it will fall out.”
Lenoir County Commissioner Eric Rouse says he sees positives in the Riverwalk, but had a few inquiries about the process and costs.
“My only concerns about the project are the cost and whether it is a city or county project,” Rouse said. “It would be great if we get the funding and get it in place, but I would like to know about costs over the long haul. Also, the project must be policed, because we can’t have it open like that without security during the construction process.
“I see benefits in the community but other stuff has to be established, maintenance and upkeep being high on the priority list.”
Craig Hill, who was recently elected as the chairman of Lenoir County, said the Riverwalk is another way of the city and county working together on an endeavor.
“We welcome it in the community,” Hill said. “This is a way to let people know the city and county are working very closely on it, and if we were to go forward, it would require private citizens, as well as city, county and state entities working together. This can’t be done in a vacuum; more than one person or group needs to be involved.”
Hill said there will be plenty of conversation between the city, county and state about the project.
“All parties will have involvement, listening together and showing a united front,” Hill said.
Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.