Have you seen the scaffolding around 3-9 Steeple Street?
Not to worry, New Rivers and 3 Steeple Street restaurants are still open and serving.

It will be business as usual while the industrial building is restored and renovated by owners Capital Properties. They purchased the building in late 2007 and have committed to a complete historical restoration of the exterior of the building and will provide handicap access with an elevator to the currently inaccessible building.

What does that mean for Bruce Tillinghast's New Rivers. He told me that the corner space where the small, cozy bar is now located is where the wheelchair access for the building will soon be. In return for taking that space, the owners are giving Tillinghast adjoining space at 9 Steeple Street for his new bar.

"It will be connected," he assured.

As for 3 Steeple Street Restaurant, it will have a new welcome entrance on Canal Street, restoring a once attractive 2-entrance storefront, according to Capital Properties.

The remaining portions of the building will be used for office and/or retail space, but there are no developments currently planned.

Restoration is estimated to be completed by December.