8/24/2007 11:13:00 AM River walk supporters look for big wave of support
Getting involved
If Norfolkans want to catch a glimpse of what might be in the city's future, go on the Internet to www.NorthForkNE.com.
Although it's a bare-bones Web site today, it will be the place where more and more information and opinions will be shared on the proposed river walk and development project that already has attracted the attention of more than a few Norfolkans.
But the concept won't have much of a chance of becoming a reality unless many more Norfolkans choose to get involved.
That's why what's called the North.fork Development Project has established 10 different committees to help advance the concept.
The committees are: design, funding, housing, oversight, promotion, public works, recreation, retail and business, river walk and trails.
The committees are meeting twice or once a month and encourage new members. To volunteer for a committee, interested people can send an e-mail to info@NorthForkNE.com or call 371-4996.
The concept already has been endorsed by several organizations, including the Downtown Norfolk Association, Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce, Norfolk Public Schools, Elkhorn Valley Trails Network and Northeast Community College.
About 50 people who attended a forum at the Knights of Columbus Hall to get an update on the much-discussed downtown river walk proposal were told the dream could become a reality.
"Let me assure you, and take this to the bank if you want to: This is no wild dream," said former Norfolk Mayor Jim Miller. "This is an opportunity that was recognized in 1974 and it is very, very viable today."
Miller was mayor of Norfolk when the "Outdoor Recreation and Open Space Plan for the Elkhorn and North Fork Elkhorn Rivers" was put together by the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District. The plan looks at recreational resources and other possible long-term development proposals for the river.
The plan is being incorporated into some of the ideas that have been put forth during the past three months for Norfolk's proposed river walk and development project.
Miller said a case could be made that the development plan is more viable now than it was three decades ago.
But residents need to take action to make sure the proposal becomes a priority. Too many times in the community, there is an attitude and culture to just accept the status quo, he said.
Miller encouraged those at the meeting to go home and tell their friends about the development concept in order to continue the work that already had been completed.
It is important to get people excited about the project, he said.
"Nothing is going to get done without this groundswell from the citizens of Norfolk," Miller said. "And I feel very strongly about this, if there is a danger that we have in Norfolk, it's not that we shoot too high. It's that we shoot too low and we just accept whatever the outcome is."
Mayor Gordon Adams echoed many of Miller's sentiments.
Adams said after serving as mayor for seven years, it has become apparent to him that there is a "large, vocal group" that goes against anything viewed as progress for the community.
"That's one of the discouragements that being mayor has been," Adams said. "You see things that should happen and you float a trial balloon and it gets shot down by people who have no vision."
Adams said a lot of people have a great vision and have put forth some good ideas with the river walk proposal. And it's needed now more than ever, he said.
It's important to recognize a pattern that occurs with most cities. Over time, a city grows from its core to it outward growth. As this occurs, the core begins to decay, Adams said.
This proposed river walk addresses Norfolk's core and fits in well with recent efforts to revitalize the downtown. There are new store fronts and renewed activity downtown, which will help with the further development efforts, Adams said.
Dan Mauk, president of the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce, said Norfolk is fortunate because it has a river corridor that already exists.
Mauk said that in Oklahoma City, for example, the community diverted water from a river for a few blocks to flood a few streets with some restaurants and boutiques along it. The idea works as a small river walk there, but in Norfolk's case, the river through the business district already exists, he said.
Lonn Atwood, a Norfolk artist who started the renewed interest in the river walk, said he estimates that he has spoken to about 300 people in the past three months about it.
Just about everyone is highly supportive and adds their own ideas on how to make it possible or add features, he said.
After nearly an hour of talks from community leaders, the forum was opened to questions. It was announced at the start that two of the biggest questions don't have answers - yet.
Those questions are: How much will it cost and who will pay for it?
