With the North Fork of the Elkhorn River flowing through the heart of Norfolk, could the city some day become known as the San Antonio of the north?
If the vision of Lonn Atwood, a Norfolk artist, comes true, a river walk like the famous one in that Texas city could transform downtown Norfolk and the city itself.
"We have the potential of being the San Antonio of the north,' Atwood told about 100 people, including city officials, who had been invited to the Lifelong Learning Center on Thursday afternoon to hear his idea.
The other main speaker at the meeting, Stan Staab, manager of the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District in Norfolk, noted that the concept isn't new.
A similar idea in 1974 resulted in a written plan, the city acquiring a small piece of property and even a grant and meetings to begin planning. There was quite a bit of enthusiasm early on, but finding funds was a challenge and the effort fizzled, he said.
Staab said a public-private partnership would be needed to transform the area into what Atwood described as something like the Old Market in Omaha.
"Are we interested in a river walk that could put us on the map?' Staab asked.
Another speaker, Leon Lauver, the architect of Sunset Plaza in Norfolk, said those working on the effort have received support from "80 percent of the people' in the area who are interested in putting their land into a development.
"It's an idea that can be developed and be an asset to Norfolk,' Lauver said.
The area Atwood described is bounded by First and Fourth streets and by Elm and Braasch avenues. The North Fork runs next to the former Maple Park trailer court, which has been shut down, and the Henningsen Foods plant and is crossed by a railroad trestle.
Atwood talked about retrofitting brick buildings along Third Street into space for restaurants and small stores and turning the street into a pedestrian corridor since the railroad already plans to close the crossing to vehicles.
"It really has the potential for being Norfolk's Old Market,' he said.
Three small office towers, an amphitheater in Johnson Park, a new civic center, athletic complex, condominiums - even kayak rides on the river - are among his ideas. The river has been used for boats before, he said, in the 1930s when rides were offered in the vicinity of the old flour mill to the present-day Norfolk Country Club.
Since Norfolk is the starting point for the Cowboy Trail - the longest rail-to-trail conversion in the United States - Atwood also suggested creating a new trailhead, complete with an obelisk-style cowboy monument to draw visitors from across the country to downtown Norfolk. Seventh Street could be turned into a "green corridor" to connect with the trail that now starts in Ta-ha-zouka Park.
"We have the opportunity to create a core that will draw a lot of people,' he said, later adding, "We have investors willing to start on the core area.'
Atwood showed slides comparing views of the San Antonio River Walk, which he visited, with those along the North Fork.
"Our river is actually wider than the one in San Antonio,' he said.
Atwood said he's had interviews with 130 people, including officials with the river authority in Texas who agreed to provide information.
Staab said it would be worthwhile to have those officials come to town, even if it means paying for their travel expenses.
"I think it is a tremendous opportunity for this community,' Staab said. "This kind of a project could pull us together. Everyone should have a voice in it.'
The meeting ended with Staab and Atwood asking those attending to sign up for committees that could begin work. The meeting was hosted by Northeast Community College Economic Development and by the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce.
"Let's all sit down today to see if there are compelling reasons why we should move forward,' Dan Mauk, chamber president, said at the start of the meeting.
Reader Comments
Posted: Saturday, September 08, 2007
Article comment by:
Bradley Roenfeldt
I have felt for many years that the river corridor should be developed with a trail and shops all the way from downtown to the north edge of town. This is a fantastic idea!
Posted: Monday, May 28, 2007
Article comment by:
Eric
Norfolk will never be anything more than Norfolk since the city lacks vision, forethought and class. Nothing gets done unless it benefits the money people. Pure and simple. I escaped from Norfolk 5 years ago and it is the best thing I have ever done.
Posted: Friday, May 25, 2007
Article comment by:
Lynn A. Blennert-Kohles
I think the River Walk idea is an excellent one and would enjoy seeing this come to fruitation in Norfolk, as I, too, have visited the River Walk at San Antonio and was impressed immensely! Go for it!
Posted: Friday, May 25, 2007
Article comment by:
Arlene Range
Norfolk, NE. will never be San Antonio. To be successful, our citizenry must make all races and walks of life welcome and a part of everyday life in the city and along a "river walk".
