If you live in Southport or you’ve been eyeing a home there, you’ll notice crews around town this month. The City of Southport starts a new sidewalk installation project on Monday, Nov. 9, and it overlaps with stormwater work on West Brown Street and power line tree trimming that runs through Thanksgiving week. None of it is glamorous, but this kind of work shapes how a small coastal town feels day to day, and it’s useful context whether you own a home here or plan to buy one. Here’s what’s happening, where, and what it means for you.
Where Southport’s New Sidewalks Are Going
According to the City of Southport’s project notice, also reported by WWAY on Nov. 3, 2026, contractors are scheduled to begin on Nov. 9. The work includes:
- North Rhett Street: new sidewalk installation.
- East Brown Street: new sidewalk that connects into Lowe-White Park.
- East West Street: a pedestrian path along the side of the City Gym, around the basketball court, and into the Franklin Square parking lot.
- North Caswell Avenue: new sidewalk from West St. George Street to West Owens Street, improving the walk to Caviness Park.
- Downtown: replacement of several existing sidewalk sections.
Timing and what to expect
The city says the project should take several weeks, but it hasn’t announced a firm completion date. Expect temporary impacts to pedestrian access right around the work zones. Public Works plans to contact property owners who will be directly affected the week before work begins, so if your home fronts one of these streets, watch for that outreach.
Other Street Work Happening This Month
Stormwater work at West Brown Street and Clarendon Avenue
WWAY reported on Nov. 3 that the intersection of West Brown Street and Clarendon Avenue is partially closed while crews continue installing stormwater infrastructure. No reopening date has been announced. Stormwater upgrades rarely make headlines, but in a low-lying coastal town they matter for how streets handle heavy rain.
Power line tree trimming through Nov. 27
The city has also posted that crews will be trimming limbs near power lines from Nov. 2 through Nov. 27. If you have trees along the street, you may see crews nearby. The city’s capital projects page also lists an ongoing, multi-year effort to move overhead electric lines underground and to segment the system to limit outages.
Why Walkability Matters in Southport
Much of Southport’s appeal is that you can park the car. Buyers who choose a home near downtown often do it so they can walk to the waterfront, local shops, restaurants, and parks like Franklin Square. New sidewalks that tie neighborhoods to Lowe-White Park, Caviness Park, and the City Gym make those everyday walks safer, especially for families with strollers, kids heading to the courts, and retirees who walk daily. When you’re comparing homes, a safe walking route to the places you’ll actually use is worth weighing alongside square footage and lot size.
Know the Right-of-Way Rules Before You Buy or Improve
Sidewalk work is a good reminder that the strip between many Southport yards and the street is often city right-of-way, not private yard. The city’s Rights-of-Way Ordinance page explains updates the Board of Aldermen adopted on Dec. 12, 2024:
- Hardened structures in the right-of-way, such as fences, walls, planter boxes, trellises, and parking delineators more than 2 inches above grade, had to be removed by June 12, 2025.
- New vegetative and parking encroachments that meet the ordinance’s standards may be allowed case by case through a right-of-way permit.
- Walls and fences built on or before Dec. 31, 1980, can remain if they contribute to the historic character of the National Register or local historic district.
If you’re buying, ask whether any fence, planter, or parking pad near the street sits in the right-of-way, and whether it was permitted. A survey can help. If you’re planning landscaping or a parking pad after closing, check with the city’s Planning Services office first.
A Quick Note on Southport’s Historic Rules
Buyers sometimes ask whether a historic home in Southport comes with mandatory design review. Here’s the current picture. As WECT reported on July 3, 2026, Senate Bill 876 abolished the Southport Historic Preservation Commission and bars the city from creating or expanding historic districts or overlay districts. The city’s own page confirms the commission was abolished effective July 1, 2026, and that any historic district already in effect remains but can’t be expanded. Port City Daily reported on July 7 that the city planned an advisory appearance commission whose recommendations would be non-binding. Before you renovate, confirm with the city which rules apply to your specific property.
What This Means for You
If you own a home in Southport
Keep an eye out for Public Works outreach if you live on North Rhett, East Brown, East West, or North Caswell, and plan around short-term access changes. The city is also running a Parks & Recreation survey open through Nov. 21, a simple way to weigh in on the parks these new sidewalks connect to.
If you’re buying
Touring during construction is fine. Just look past the cones and picture the finished street. Ask about right-of-way encroachments, and check how a home’s block handles drainage.
If you’re selling
A new sidewalk connection to a park is a real, verifiable feature. Mention it accurately in your listing once it’s finished, and time your listing photos for after crews have cleared out.
FAQ
When does Southport’s sidewalk project start?
Contractors are scheduled to begin Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. The city expects the work to take several weeks.
Will I be notified if my property is affected?
Yes. The city says Public Works will contact directly affected property owners before work begins.
Can I put a fence or planter by the street?
Not in the city right-of-way without meeting the ordinance. Some vegetative and parking encroachments may be allowed with a right-of-way permit.
Does Southport still require historic design approval?
The Historic Preservation Commission was abolished July 1, 2026. Existing historic districts remain, so check with the city about your property before planning exterior changes.
Talk With a Local Team
Thinking about buying or selling in Southport, Oak Island, or anywhere in Brunswick County? We track the town-level changes that affect daily life and home values, so you can make your move with clear information. Connect with Aspyre Collective and we’ll help you find the right fit. For more on the town, see our Southport relocation guide and our post on the waterfront shoreline project.
