Brunswick County Visitor Center to reopen this spring

SHALLOTTE, NC (WWAY) — The Brunswick County Visitor Center in Shallotte is set to reopen soon after being closed for more than a year. 

The rest stop along US 17 closed back in the fall of 2023, with construction starting in January 2024. 

A $981,000 contract was awarded to Kowen General Contractors to renovate restrooms, upgrade water lines, and improve drainage. 

The project was later delayed, with a current total cost reaching $1,352,000. The maximum allotted funds for the project was $1.5 million. 

NCDOT Resident Engineer David Sawyer said the project was delayed because of additional work that was added, including replacing sidewalks, fire hydrants, and updated ADA Access. Sawyer added this is the first time Kowen General Contractors has worked with the NCDOT, which lead to paperwork being completed slower. 

“Right now we are basically at 99% completion,” Sawyer said. “You never know what you might run into going through some of these checks but for the most part we’re right there at the end.” 

Sawyer said construction should wrap up this month, with the new rest stop opening to the public between March and April.