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Waterfront project takes shape
Virginia Business
March 2005
YORKTOWN
A $10 million waterfront redevelopment project in historic
Yorktown plans to open by late May, in time for summer
tourists. Riverwalk Landing will offer shopping, dining
and a place to watch ships from a prime location alongside
the York River.
Situated
on seven acres, Riverwalk Landing will include 21,000
square feet of retail space, two floating piers and
a restored freight shed. Anchoring the retail area is
Nick’s Waterfront Restaurant, a 275-seat restaurant
leased to Tom Austin, who currently operates Berret’s
Restaurant in Williamsburg and River’s Inn in
Gloucester. In addition, 10 to 12 small businesses and
shops will be nearby.
Another key part of the renovation are the floating
piers — a 395-foot pier for medium-to large vessels
including Navy vessels and visiting tall ships and a
smaller pier for watercraft used by day-trippers and
pleasure boaters.
An existing freight shed built in 1935 by the National
Park Service after a tropical storm destroyed much of
the waterfront is also being spruced up and will house
exhibits and visitor information. Developed by York
County, Riverwalk Landing is taking shape through funds
from low-interest bonds and historic tax credits and
grants. It’s the centerpiece of a larger $25 million
Yorktown project that includes a scenic river walk,
connecting the National Park Service Museum to the Yorktown
Victory Center. All the work is scheduled for completion
by the end of 2005, in time for the 225th anniversary
of the Battle of Yorktown in 2006 — a tribute
to the city’s renowned revolutionary battlefield
— and the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown Settlement
in 2007.
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