City Administrator Corri Spiegel led a discussion with the City Council Tuesday of the milestones reached in the riverfront development in recent years and of what is next, including the first design phase that is a planned flexible use area.
To see a draft plan of the development phases, go
here.
The flexible use area will be located south of the Radisson Hotel and north of the train tracks along the riverfront. The CIP budget current has $1 million allocated.
Spiegel reminded aldermen that since 2015, the former Dock Restaurant has been demolished, a plan for phased implementation was accepted, interim improvements were made, the former casino boat departed, and in the last year alone, the porte cochere demolished, the casino boat’s support barge removed and concrete fixtures at Main Street landing removed, leaving an open view of the river.
The flex lot will allow for multiple uses, including parking and food truck events.
The next recommended section to be developed in fiscal year 2019 is what is being described as an urban lounge underneath the Skybridge. The area would have activities depending on the season, be programmable for special events and family friendly.
Aldermen said anything in the urban lounge should be flood-proof. The design guidelines that have been submitted to the city take into account potential flooding, Spiegel said.
Other potential development along the river that could be considered include an amphitheater, some type of public-private partnership, a playground with a “wow”factor, an event lawn and landscaped space.