The Columbus Redevelopment Commission has approved an additional $54,500 for consultant work to be performed by Naperville, Illinois-based Hitchcock Design Group for the city’s Riverfront project to reflect modifications sought by the state.
Hitchcock 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.
Randy Royer, Hitchcock Design Group, requested the additional funding after the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) required several modifications to the city’s original design, which he said delayed the overall process and incurred extra costs.
“Columbus has been kind of a test subject,” Royer said. “Unfortunately, it costs us a lot of time and a lot of money.”
Royer highlighted the project’s many design drivers, including the removal of the lowhead dam, access for safety personnel, maintenance and repair of the river banks, economic and workforce development, ecology, connections, compelling attractions and captivating appearance.
Removal of the low-head dam between Second and Third streets is Hitchcock’s number one priority, as it is for the city and DNR, Royer said. The low-head dam was originally installed a century ago to pool water near the former city pump house for the city’s water supply. The former city pump house has been renovated into the Upland Columbus Pump House brewpub.
The entities are also concerned about the lack of access available to safety personnel to reach the riverfront in the case of an emergency — something they are continuing to improve in their sketches.
To meet the design drivers that Royer listed, Hitchcock unveiled a new model for what the riverfront would look like if all goes to plan.
The new design incorporates a fish passage channel and a rock arch ramp structure using natural materials, which reduces the amount of grout required in the structure, accommodates boat passage and maintains the river’s water level.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
