CRAVEN COUNTY, N.C. -- It will be months before the Riverfront Convention Center in downtown New Bern is entertaining guests of receptions and events again.
- After Hurricane Florence's flood waters ravaged the floors of the Convention Center, officials at the county manager's office decided now is the time to fix the concrete slab as well as other damages from the storm
- Local bed and breakfasts count on event guests to stay in their rooms, especially during the peak summer months
- Knowing the facility will be closed until September, business owners are working together to keep visitors coming
Gene Hodges, Craven County Assistant Manager, says the building's foundation received a short-term fix six years ago, knowing in 2020, crews would have to go back in for a permanent fix.
After Hurricane Florence's flood waters ravaged the floors of the Convention Center, officials at the county manager's office decided now is the time to fix the concrete slab as well as other damages from the storm.
“If the carpet is now up, then the time to make repairs is now. That way we don’t have to pay for carpet twice," said Hodges.
Local bed and breakfasts count on event guests to stay in their rooms, especially during the peak summer months.
Knowing the facility will be closed until September, business owners are working together to keep visitors coming.
“We sit at a round table each month and talk about what we’re seeing as far as traffic wise, and how we can drive more traffic to come down here. What can we do to get more people,” said Denise Gleason, co-owner of The Jarvis at 220.
Hodges says despite knowing it will be months before the convention center reopens, anyone looking for a venue can still make bookings for 2020.
In the meantime, owners of The Jarvis at 220 say there are smaller venues downtown that may be able to help.
