Mike Wolanin | The Republic Trees are being removed from the riverbank near Upland Columbus Pump House to make way for the riverfront project, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025 in Columbus, Indiana.
City officials have approved an agreement with INDOT outlining how the city of Columbus will be in charge of maintenance of the People Trail connection that is a feature of the “Our River…Our Riverfront” project.
Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety members approved a joint use and maintenance agreement between the city and INDOT regarding the planned People Trail extension.
The agreement was required because the People Trail connection— from Mill Race Park to the north to the 1821 Trail to the south— will require building underneath the Robert N. Stewart Bridge and Third Street Bridge, which are within INDOT’s right-of-way.
City officials say the People Trail connection will help alleviate a high rate of issues between vehicles and pedestrians/bicyclists at the corner of Lindsey and Third streets.
Milestone Contractors was chosen in July to do construction primarily on the east side of the bank, and that work began at the start of October.
Milestone will stabilize and re-landscape the east side of the bank, institute a connection to the People Trail from Mill Race Park to Water Street and construct a plaza that will provide access to the river. The contractor will also fix a wash out on the west bank.
Site clearing to provide the space for a connection to the People Trail was completed in the past month. Milestone will next create access to the river, and if all goes according to plan, construction on the plaza will occur from mid-December to the end of April 2026, although much of this is weather dependent.
Trees that have been removed in the area are invasive, and will be replaced by native plantings, informed by a comprehensive restoration plan, with specifications for trees, grass and ground cover, according to city officials.
The “Our River…Our Riverfront” project also plays into other ongoing city projects including the Second Street Thoroughfare Project and remake of the downtown entrance into the city, city officials said.
Overall, the project has access to about $18.9 million in approved funds, made up of $11.5 million in tax-increment-financing (TIF) funding, $5.6 million in Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) funds and $1.8 million from various funding sources including a $1.72 million Next Level Trails Grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, along with contributions from Duke Energy and the Columbus Park Foundation.
Nearly half of the east bank construction costs are funded through state and federal grants.
The lowhead dam removal will be done by Jerry Sweeten of Ecosystems Connections Institute. That will take place during the summer of 2026, making the river safer for boats, canoes, and anyone who wants to use the river for recreation.
