Where is East Campen Row?
The East Campen Row area in downtown Wendell transformed an unassuming back-of-house zone for a block of small businesses into a flexible event and parking space where people are excited to congregate.
The flagship businesses on East Campen Row are the Bearded Bee Brewery, a small dance studio, and Perry’s Gun Shop. The site is unusual; one half of the property is owned by Perry’s Gun Shop and the other half is railroad right-of-way. The Town of Wendell has a long-term lease on both areas and invested in improvements.
What changed in downtown Wendell?
At the start of the project, East Campen Street only had places to park and to load and unload delivery vehicles. It was not designed for people to pass through, which meant it lacked safety and accessibility features for people who did. These deficiencies were exacerbated by significant drainage and erosion problems stemming from inadequate stormwater management.
The Wendell Comprehensive Plan identified this area as the site of a future pedestrian connection. In addition, the Town wanted a public space to host events like concerts, food truck rodeos, and farmer’s markets. The site design needed to be ADA accessible accommodations while still allowing businesses to operate.
WithersRavenel designed a wide streetscape across the front of the Bearded Bee Brewery where it was previously gravel. A sidewalk to the south meets the plan for pedestrian access. It allows visitors of all abilities to enjoy the area. The entrances to East Campen Row can be closed off easily. This creates a safe space for events. Benches, bike racks, and trash cans help keep the area tidy and comfortable.
East Campen Row Parking
Parking is available for food trucks, golf carts, electric vehicles, and standard vehicles throughout the week when events are not taking place. Spaces designed for dumpsters and loading bays have been reinforced with heavy-duty pavement that will withstand the effects of hard use. Green space and street trees provide shade and reduce the heat island effect on parking areas.
Artist Matthew Wiley, from the Good of the Hive project, painted a mural on the back wall of Perry’s. The honeybees in the artwork are a nod to the Bearded Bee Brewery. It will become part of Wiley’s quest to add 50,000 honeybees to installations around the world.
The small businesses of East Campen Row are already seeing the benefits of this improved space. The community looks forward to converting a nearby abandoned building into an open-air market in the future. This project sparked revitalization in downtown Wendell, and it has attracted people from all walks of life. If you drop into the Bearded Bee on a Saturday night, don’t be surprised to run into the mayor herself!
