But the city has spent a considerable amount of time, effort and money working with designers and engineers on the project and to change it at this point, he said, "would be terribly expensive, because you'd have to redesign the thing."

Not to mention the fact that the deadline could run out on the various grants the city has received, he said.

"I don't want the city to have to spend any more money," Seiple said, "but whatever decisions are made right now are going to affect the city for 100 years. ... I think it was unfair that nobody listened (to the residents' concerns) along the line."

Seiple, a Northumberland resident, made it clear he supports riverfront development -- "I see just good with that" -- but strongly opposes opening the wall.

"This isn't a selfish effort," he said. "I was born and raised in this town. I lived through some floods."

Asked how the city could provide access to the riverfront without opening the flood wall, Seiple responded, "That's up to the designers. (The city is) paying them $1.5 million to do this. I'm trying to be fair about this thing. I just want them to think this out."

n E-mail comments to rscott@dailyitem.com.