by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
If the City Council approves a pending settlement between the City and developers of downtown condominium highrise The Plaza at Berkman, the portion of the Riverwalk along the Bay Street property will be finished in time for the Super Bowl. It just won’t be all that the City had originally hoped for.
Instead of brick pavers, landscaping and decorative railings that would match the rest of the nearly three-mile walkway along the Northbank, the City, not developer DB Holdings, will likely pour asphalt and install fences as a temporary alternative until after the February game has come and gone.
Early estimates from the City’s Public Works department suggest that the makeshift Riverwalk will cost $50,000 to build over two weeks.
A start date has not been identified and, until the Council gives its blessing to the proposal Tuesday evening, work cannot begin. The necessary legislation should be filed before the end of the week.
According to the agreement signed by DBH
in November 2003, the Atlanta developer
is required to build a permanent Riverwalk
along its approximately 430 feet of waterfront property.
They have already been paid about $2 million for the work they’ve put into the project, the majority of which has been focused on bulkhead repair and site preparation.
Once the Riverwalk is finished, they stand to collect approximately $400,000 more.
“According to the proposal we’re working on getting approved right now, the City would be granted an easement that would allow us to build the temporary Riverwalk,” said Council auditor Richard Wallace. “We would remove that and restore the property to its original condition after the game.”
DBH would be required to resume construction on a permanent Riverwalk within 30 days of that site clearing.
Concern regarding whether or not Super Bowl foot traffic would be able to utilize a contiguous Northbank Riverwalk has been brewing for some time.
In October, City officials said they still hadn’t seen construction plans from DBH, which made it impossible to grant the necessary building permits. At that time, however, they said there was still plenty of time to complete the project in time for the thousands of game-related tourists.
DBH countered that their plans were identical to other stretches of the Riverwalk just east and west of their property. Progress, however, languished and ultimately the City decided to delay progress until March.
“We’re comfortable with this arrangement,” said Cindy Laquidara, chief deputy general counsel for the City. “DBH will build Phase II after the Super Bowl.”