Riverwalk
Madison
riverfront project
adds overlooks, lengthens sidewalk
Future
plans include bank
stabilization, sidewalk extension
By
Konnie McCollum
Staff Writer
(August 2009) Its been a long drawn
out process, but the Madison Riverfront Development Project is winding
down its current phase of construction. Paddlewheel overlooks and the
expansion of the sidewalk have been nearly completed in this $1 million
phase of the project.
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Photo
by Don Ward
Paddlewheel-shaped
overlooks
are among the new attractions
along Madisons riverfront.
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We are excited about what has been completed,
said Jim Pruett, project president. The grants we used for the
funding moved the process slower than what some people wanted, but we
are happy with the results.
The sidewalks should be completed by September, he said.
The grants had a 20 percent matching funds requirement, so $200,000
had to be raised for the project, said Louann Waller, planning secretary
for the city.
In the latest phase of the project, which has been ongoing for years,
two paddlewheel overlooks made of concrete and red bricks were added
to the sidewalk just east of the Milton-Madison Bridge and to the west
at Vernon Street. The sidewalk was also extended eastward to the volleyball
courts and westward to tie into the trailhead of the Heritage Trail.
New benches have also been purchased. Pruett said the new benches have
a different design than the older ones. We were looking for something
that requires less maintenance and that would tie in with the design
of the benches on Main Street.
Trash receptacles have also been purchased.
An earth stabilization process east of the point at Lamplighter Park,
part of the original design plan, played a large factor in the long
delay of the project, he said. That design plan would have included
a steel retaining wall with steel tie structures. The idea behind the
design would be to create a green space with a terraced embankment for
the enjoyment of walkway users. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had
recommended the steel stabilization as a way to improve the look of
the area.
Costs kept increasing while the various layers of approval for
the project were being sought, said Pruett. We plan to revisit
the bank stabilization in future phases of the project.
Other future project plans include expanding the sidewalk down to the
city campgrounds. Right of way issues have to be resolved first, said
Pruett.
Waller said the project is looking for dedicated volunteers who would
like to be on the committee. She said anyone interested should send
a letter to City Hall stating their desire to be on the board. Wed
love to have some new members, she said.
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