Columbus and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources are continuing to discuss just what the city will be allowed to do for the proposed Riverfront project, and what the state agency may continue to prohibit.
For two years, the city and DNR have been going back and forth to propose ideas and suggest improvements and changes to the city’s Riverfront plans for the East Fork White River between the Second and Third street bridges, based on concerns from the state.
Naperville, Illinois-based Hitchcock Design Group is designing the Columbus Riverfront project, an $8.6 million conceptual plan calling for several overlooks of the East Fork White River downtown, connections to the People Trail system and an in-water recreation area.
Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop and other city officials have acknowledged that the DNR has control of the river and its banks and ultimately what the city can do, and cannot do, as far as improving the area.
Most of the state’s initial concerns with the project have subsided after Columbus made revisions to the original plan, city officials said. But DNR officials say there is still work to be done.
For the complete story, see Tuesday’s Republic.
