Riverwalk

At the end of 2005, a revised application was re-submitted through the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG) for an Indiana Department of Transportation Federal Transportation Enhancement (TE) grant to procure funding for an additional phase of the Riverwalk. Although the City has made multiple requests for the Riverwalk in recent years, no funding has been approved since Phase IIIA in 2002, which extended the Riverwalk across Kamm Island.

Our hope is that the next phase to be constructed with TE funds will be Phase IIIB, which will run through Lincoln Park, behind the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and through Kate's Garden. This is particularly important, given the timing and anticipated completion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant project in 2007.

Given the success of the project and the likely continued lack of TE funding, the City is developing plans to extend the Riverwalk, building connections between existing pieces, with City TIF funds, rather than waiting for grant dollars to trickle in every few years. A portion of Phase IV is being constructed in conjunction with the Robert C. Beutter Riverfront Park project.

In spring 2005, the City built a temporary asphalt walkway from Beutter Park to Kamm Island. In addition, a permanent concrete walkway connecting the Central Park bridge to Beutter Park was constructed. These two additions greatly increased the immediate usability of the Riverwalk and park system. The increased use, based on the immediate completion of the infrastructure, also assists in the marketability of the River Center properties.

Even though portions of the Riverwalk will be constructed using TIF dollars, TE funds are a valuable and needed component to completing the overall Riverwalk network. Following the completion of Phase IIIB behind the Wastewater Treatment Plant, the City will submit an additional application to construct a pedestrian bridge on the west side of Main Street. The bridge connection on the north side of the river will likely occur on the east side of Battell Park. The bridge connection on the south side of the river will likely occur adjacent to the outlet of the millrace.

In 2004, the City retained the landscape architecture services of Rundell Ernstberger Associates to plan for this future connection. These consulting services were needed because of the difficulty in traversing the steep slopes on the north side of the river and addressing the significant 23 feet of elevation change between the two sides of the river.

If TE funding remains at current levels, this bridge may not be realized until 2010 or beyond.

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