Photo provided An overhead view of the low-head dam in the East Fork White River which would be removed as part of the proposed Riverfront Project.
The Columbus Redevelopment Commission has authorized funding for the proposed riverfront redevelopment between the Second and Third Street bridges.
The commission voted Monday to approve almost $11.6 million from the Central Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district for the project. The expense will also need to be approved by Columbus City Council, as it exceeds $500,000. It is expected to be on the council’s agenda for Dec. 5.
The riverfront project seeks to address safety issues related to the deteriorating low-head dam in the East Fork White River without damaging wetlands upstream or impacting the river water level through Mill Race Park.
In addition, the project is expected to safeguard the riverbanks from ongoing erosion, including on the west side of the river near the Third Street bridge, which was the site of a landfill from 1938 to 1966 that is believed to have accepted 3.46 million gallons of industrial wastes, including solvents, bases, paints and heavy metals, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
City officials also have proposed building connections with the People Trail system and an in-water recreation area, branding the project as an effort to “create an iconic riverfront experience that improves safety.”
According to the city of Columbus, the total project cost is estimated at a little over $14 million, which includes about $3 million for contingencies.
The approved resolution authorizes up to $11,583,083 in TIF funds for the project, and the city has collected an additional $2.432 million from other funding sources, officials said. These include a Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative grant, a Next Level Trails Grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and contributions from Duke Energy and the Columbus Park Foundation.
In addition to authorizing the TIF expenditure, the commission voted Monday to engage the firms Zurbuch and EDCO as “Construction Manager as Constructor” during the project’s preconstruction phase for a not-to-exceed amount of $96,761.78.
Assuming the project moves forward with approval from city council, the firms will begin bidding the project in early January, said Jason Larrison, assistant vice president of J.S. Held.
“We will begin construction, especially with some of the preparation work to gain access down to the river, we’ll start that work in March,” he said. “…Part of the project is creating access across the superfund site to be able to gain access to the west bank. That will require removal of a few trees. We’re required to do that before April, before endangered bats are nesting in those trees.”
During the time for public comment, Hutch Schumaker, president at Coca-Cola Bottling Co and local philanthropist, said that while he sees the need for addressing safety concerns such as the dam and former landfill, he’s concerned about the $14 million price tag and unsure if the entire project will benefit the community.
However, other speakers — including Councilman Tom Dell, former city employee Ed Curtin and Britt Brewer — expressed support for the proposal, which they believe will be a boost for downtown revitalization.
