WILMINGTON, N.C. -- There is a new buzz among local businesses on the north end of downtown Wilmington. The North Waterfront Park is closer to becoming a reality.

• The city has decided to use higher quality, more expensive materials in the park that will last longer and require less maintenance.
• City council decided not to change any of the attractions that were in the master plan.
• The park will include gardens, lawns, a children's play area, splash feature and of course the performance feature to hold concerts.

That reality is now coming with a price hike. The city has decided to use higher quality, more expensive materials in the park that will last longer and require less maintenance. The City Community Services Director, Amy Beatty, says because they need an addition $3 to $4 million, they are seeking additional private funding.

"It can be very small from an individual donor who wants to support a park, purchasing a bike rack or a bench. All the way at the other end of the spectrum, there are opportunities for naming rights or businesses, so cooperations that want to sponsor the park and in turn, get marketing out of the deal," said Beatty.

City council decided not to change any of the attractions that were in the master plan. Beatty says that was very important because the public had a lot of input in the planning process. The park will include gardens, lawns, a children's play area, splash feature and of course the performance feature to hold concerts.

With the new park to be located on the riverfront in Wilmington, many shops and restaurants are excited to see what kind of business it will bring to downtown. Bryan Archibald, the General Manager of Marina Grill, also located on the riverfront, will be neighbors to the new park, and is looking forward to it.

"We are excited. Obviously this area down here is underdeveloped for its time, so anything that comes this way is only going to bring more opportunity for more places, and quite frankly, it is going to give a better feel for this area of downtown," said Archibald.

The city staff has started looking into sponsorship opportunities and will report back to city council in early 2019.

If you would like to be a sponsor of the park, visit here to fill out an application.