Columbus City Council members have designated an additional $54,000 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 Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
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 four modifications to the city’s original design, delaying the overall process and incurring extra costs.
The city previously allocated $496,000 for the consultant work last spring, but Royer said each time the city and Hitchcock have met with DNR, new modifications have been suggested, putting them behind on their original schedule.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
The additional $54,500 that Royer requested Tuesday at the city council meeting would get Hitchcock through the permitting phase at the end of October.
Royer unveiled a new model on Tuesday 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.
He also 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.
Councilwoman Laurie Booher said she’s been skeptical of drawing anyone into the water from the beginning, but said she thinks the new riverfront design is a nice compromise.
“People are going to go there whether we do this or we don’t, so we’re at least trying to create something that is a little bit safer and that our safety personnel can access,” Booher said. “I at least try to look for a compromise, and I feel like this is what you have accomplished through this. I definitely am more of a fan of this design than I was originally.”
Hitchcock anticipates submitting all permit applications necessary by Oct. 31 and expects approval by April 2020. The council unanimously approved Hitchcock’s request for $54,500, with the exception of councilwoman Elaine Wagner, who was absent from the Tuesday meeting.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”About the project” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
The Columbus Riverfront project is an initiative led by the Columbus Redevelopment Commission to improve the appearance, recreational function, environmental quality and economic benefit of the East Fork of the White River between the Second and Third Street bridges.
Consultants from Hitchcock Design Group, consisting of planners, designers, engineers and market economic professionals are working to create a riverfront concept that improves access to and along the river.
The project is aimed at safety, according to city officials. This involves the removal of the low-head dam and strengthening the river banks where erosion has occurred.
To learn more, visit: columbus.in.gov/redevelopment/riverfront-reimagine-project/.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
