WESTBROOK – One of the first steps toward the extension of the Westbrook Riverwalk will occur this weekend when city officials host a neighborhood meeting to discuss the eventual “Riverwalk North” project.

The meeting, Saturday, Nov. 15, at 10 a.m., at St. Hyacinth’s Church, is the first in a series that will explore expanding the riverwalk to the northerly side of the river, where it is proposed to run from Bridge Street to what’s known as the black bridge.

An email and letter from city officials to area residents last week outlined the purpose of the meeting, which will begin inside to discuss details, and then move outside to walk the proposed area.

“All are welcome to attend the first neighborhood meeting to discuss the location and design of the Riverwalk North, an off-street bike and pedestrian route on the north side of the Presumpscot River that has been envisioned for years,” the email said.

City Planner Molly Just said Monday that the entire riverwalk project concept was designed in 2000, to benefit economic development by creating a tourist attraction in the form of a bicycle and pedestrian path.

She said that while the south-side riverwalk was the first priority for more “visitor traffic to the core of the downtown,” the city has developed the north side since 2000, with the parking garage and One Riverfront Plaza building.

“We want to hear from everyone directly involved and those interested,” Just said. “This is our very first public outreach effort and we are in the information gathering stage. Nothing has been designed and no exact path determined. Everyone should come out and share their ideas and views.”

The project could coincide with the completion of a new pedestrian bridge across the river, which will be constructed during the overhaul of the Bridge Street bridge, slated to begin this winter.

“With the rebuild of the Bridge Street bridge, and using the existing bridge alignment for a bicycle pedestrian bridge, now is the opportunity to design the Riverwalk North,” she said.

The meeting will take place in the mezzanine meeting room of the church.

A CLOSER LOOK

The Riverwalk North meeting and site walk will be held Saturday, Nov. 15, starting at 10 a.m., at St. Hyacinth’s Church, 268 Brown St. For more information, email Molly Just, city planner, at mjust@westbrook.me.us.