There were mixed emotions last week during the final design meeting for Westbrook’s Riverwalk North project, which looks to extend the city’s pedestrian path to the northern side of the Presumpscot River.

The extension would create a continuous pedestrian loop in the community, which supporters say would promote recreation and lead to increased economic activity. Abutters, however, have a range of concerns for a new path behind their properties.

The meeting, held on Aug. 27 and attended by some 25 people, was called by City Planner Molly Just and landscape architect Kylie Mason, who asked for one more round of feedback on the final design for the project.

While the design will be complete, and will soon go before the Westbrook Planning Board, Just said there is “no timeline and no funding” for the project.

“This creates a shovel-ready project,” Mason said.

The north section of the riverwalk would stem from Bridge Street and run along land owned by Sappi Fine Paper next to One Riverfront Plaza, spiraling along the riverbank and continuing down to what’s known as the black bridge.

The plan originally called for the path to traverse the bridge to complete the loop, but has since been altered to include streetscape improvements to Brown Street, which would extend the riverwalk all the way to Cumberland Street.

While many expressed full support for the project, a core of neighbors questioned it.

“Why do we want this boardwalk?” one resident asked, also questioning what economic impact the existing riverwalk has had on the downtown.

“I think generally this is a popular and community-supported initiative,” Mason said.

Just said the northern portion of the riverwalk has been envisioned since the late 1990s, when the original riverwalk plan was created.

“This all really started with a study for the revitalization of the entire downtown,” she said.

Just said that funding for the project would most likely come from a variety of grants and city sources, and would be constructed in phases.

Some residents at the meeting, including former Westbrook state Rep. Ann Peoples, commented that an additional bridge connecting the two sides of the river would be beneficial, but Mason noted that the cost would be higher than the entire riverwalk project.

Peoples, who lives in the Brown Street neighborhood, said she has supported the project for a long time, but also “can understand that for people, particularly those who live at the river’s edge, this is going to be a challenge.”

One abutter said safety is his chief concern, especially as the neighborhood has a reputation for drug activity and other issues. Other questions from residents ranged from wildlife impacts to more project specifics, such as lighting.

“What financial benefit has the riverwalk had?” a resident asked. “What is there to do downtown?”

One supporter of the extension said a full loop would lead to more community events like 5K races downtown.

“A lot of road races are becoming very popular in the area,” he said. “Adding a 2.2-mile loop around Westbrook would bring those in. It’s good for everybody.”

“Now I have a road race in my back yard?” one woman responded.

Peter Burke, a member of Westbrook’s Recreation & Conservation Committee, who also lives in the neighborhood, said he “loves the plan.”

“It attracts people to Westbrook, and we’re banking on this,” he said, referring to his family often using the existing riverwalk. “We feel very strongly that this will improve this side of the river.”

Burke said a recent example of boosted activity on the river is the use of two ramps and floats that were installed along the riverwalk. He said he now sees kids using city parks that they weren’t previously.

The most up-to-date concept plan shows the riverwalk north as a series of at-grade trail mixed with cantilevered boardwalk, which would be constructed over the wetland areas.

The improvements to the end of Brown Street include reducing the roadway width, creating an 8-foot multi-use path, moving vehicle parking to the north side of the street, and enhancing green space. Some residents said they didn’t believe residents would use that end of the path due to traffic on Cumberland Street.

Just said she would like to be “ambitious” with the first phase of construction because funding sources are unknown.

Local business owner Rob Mitchell, a proponent of the project, said that while he fully supports the extended riverwalk, he’s concerned for the upkeep at the existing southern riverwalk.

“The maintenance has really been minimal, and its overgrown,” he said. “Being able to take care of it is important to make that presentation. On the south side the example is not what it should be.”

Just said the city has a “new eye” toward maintenance and upkeep, especially as the Bridge Street bridge and pedestrian walkway construction nears completion.

“Hopefully, that will be a teaser that will get you excited about the Riverwalk North,” she said.

A concept design depicting enhancements to Brown Street was shared last week during a public meeting on the Riverwalk North project. The riverwalk would extend along the northern edge of the Presumpscot River until it winds to Brown Street. Enhancements there include reducing the street width to allow for a multi-use path and further greenspace. Courtesy image