Businesses in downtown New Port Richey remain open amid makeover

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Construction has begun on a popular area within downtown New Port Richey.

It’s part of the Railroad Square Improvement Project, which will redesign portions of Nebraska Avenue in downtown. As construction takes shape, access to a few local businesses is limited. But business owners want people to know that they are still open.

Down the neatly organized aisles of Wright’s Natural Market, owner Jeff Wright is doing what he loves best.

“We are New Port Richey’s neighborhood grocery store,” says Wright.

For more than 30 years, Wright’s Natural Market has been a staple of New Port Richey.

“We were out on US-19 for 23 years, and so when the opportunity came, we wanted to be downtown with more foot traffic,” said Wright. “So we think this is a great location.”

The market backs up to Nebraska Avenue, which is going through a bit of a makeover.

“I think it’s just another step in the revitalization that the city has been working on that started with Sims Park and down Grand, where the new fire station is going,” said Wright. “I think that it’s just another step … to make it more pedestrian friendly and more event friendly.”

Railroad Square is a $4.2 million investment, part of the city’s Community Redevelopment Authority. But the project is making it a little tight for people trying to get to nearby businesses.

“You can see it makes it difficult for pedestrians to get to some of the businesses and to walk down the street,” said Wright, while pointing out some of the more restricted areas. “We just need people to have some patience, work together and make room for each other.”

Part of the project will see overhead service lines go underground. Along with improvements to both hardscape and landscape, it will make for a more attractive space for visitors.

“It sets a new standard for New Port Richey in terms of the amenities that we’ll be offering,” said City Manager Debbie Manns. “People have started to notice our downtown, but it isn’t a place as much as it should be that people just go to on their own.”

Shining a brighter light on the city’s businesses in time.

“I think it’s going to be very good in the long term,” said Wright. “It’s going to help activate the space and going to benefit all of the businesses that are on this block, as well as others and nonprofits that want to do events or put on events downtown. It gives them more space to do that.”

The Railroad Square Improvement Project is currently in phase one of construction. Total construction is expected to be completed by March of next year.