Announced in July 2004, as part of one of downtown’s largest employer’s 125th anniversary celebration, the Principal Riverwalk would be one of the largest downtown transformations that the city has seen. It’s now more than four years later and I thought it would be appropriate for an overview of what was planned and what has been delivered since then.

With an opening cost projection of around $26 million, a ground breaking ceremony for Phase I took place on July 22nd, 2004. Principal would originally donate $10 million with the rest to be raised through community, civic and state monies. At that time, it was purposed that later phases may incorporate a half million dollar skate park and white water rapids courses.

By March 2005, costs estimates were more than double, now a total cost was being estimated around $55 million due to some additions to the original plan such as upgrading the Meredith Trail connector to Gray’s Lake and upgrading Principal Park to include a plaza with fountains right outside the park. Also the Hansen Company Triangle was being added to the mix.

By end of 2006, cost estimates were now totaling close to $74 million almost three times what the original cost estimate was in 2004. As 2006 drew to close, five projects had been completed totaling $15 million. The Brenton Skating Plaza, cost $4.5 million, more than double the original estimate. The Union Railroad Bridge that opened in July cost $4.5 million – $2 million more than expected.

The largest aspect of the Riverwalk project yet to be completed is the Center Street pedestrian bridge. Construction began on the site Aug. 15, with an expected completion date of late next year.

The bridge will be 400 feet long and feature 100-foot-tall arches. This bridge will be much bigger than the blue arched bridge on Interstate 235, which is only 280 feet long.

The Center Street Bridge originally was sited directly above the Center Street Dam, but will be built slightly upstream instead. The shift will make construction simpler and allow better access for any future work on the dam. It also cuts costs by shortening the span.

All riverwalk projects for Phase I should be completed by year-end 2009. I can’t wait to see it all done. This will make downtown living even more appealing.

Here’s is a project overview of Phase I:

Project	Status
Convert railroad bridge south of Court Avenue into a pedestrian bridge	Completed Spring 2005
Connect the to be built riverwalk trail from downtown to Gray’s Lake Park	Completed Spring 2005
Create the Long Look Civic Park Gardens with sculptures in front of City Hall along the river bank	Completed Spring 2006
Construct winter ice skating rink and summertime fountain	Ice Skating Rink Completed November 20006
Create 1.2 mile recreational riverwalk trail along both sides of the river	Started in 2006, take 18 months to complete, as of August 2008, barely complete
Create a promenade and plaza linking Court Avenue to the lower level of the riverwalk trail	Originally planned to start in 2006 and to be completed in 2006, as of August 2008 not yet started
Create an arched pedestrian bridge linking the Iowa Events Center with the Botanical Center	Started in August 2007 and to-be complete in 2008, looks doubtful for finish in 2008, maybe spring 2009
A Japanese garden near the Botanical Center	Structure is complete, gardens not yet completed

Additional projects that were added since Phase I was announced:

Project	Status
Hansen Triangle	Complete
Principal Park Plaza and Fountain	Complete
Meredith Trail Connector	Complete
Skate Park	Still in Planning Phase – Not Yet Started
Speakers Corner/Soapbox	Still in Planning Phase

 

Now let’s take a look at images of what was planned and what has been delivered.

 

Project: Convert railroad bridge south of Court Avenue into a pedestrian bridge.

 

Project: Create the Long Look Civic Park Gardens with sculptures in front of City Hall along the river bank.

 

Project: Construct winter ice skating rink.

 

Project: A Japanese garden near the Botanical Center.

 

Project: Hansen Triangle

 

Here are some conceptual drawings of projects that haven’t started yet or are not complete yet.

Project: Create a promenade and plaza linking Court Avenue to the lower level of the riverwalk trail.

 

Project: Create an arched pedestrian bridge linking the Iowa Events Center with the Botanical Center.

 

Project: Create 1.2 mile recreational riverwalk trail along both sides of the river.

 

As I said earlier, wow, what a difference this will make for downtown. Here’s to them getting it finished sooner than later and greater than originally planned. If you want even more information, another great resource for updates and discussions about the Principal Riverwalk is the AbsoluteDSM.com forum board and if don’t forget you can check out the Principal Riverwalk Web Cam to see what’s going on.

 

By MulderDSMcloseAuthor: MulderDSM Name: Larry Bradshaw
Email: admin@livingdowntowndesmoines.com
Site: http://www.larrybradshaw.net
About: Please see www.larrybradshaw.netSee Authors Posts (383)

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Posted under Living Downtown | Last modified on September 18th, 2008.
Tags: Riverwalk | Sculpture | Tours | Urban Gardens