10/15/2007 10:16:00 AM New generations could ride wave of benefits from river
At the very least, Norfolkans are intrigued
Some may be supportive and gung-ho.
Others may be cautious and skeptical.
But at the very least, they're all likely intrigued about this talk of a river walk in Norfolk.
In recent months, a growing number of volunteers have been working on building off a development plan for the North Fork River in Norfolk that was created in the 1970s. The 2007 version takes that visionary idea and modernizes it.
There's much more than just a river walk - a fancy term for a sidewalk along the North Fork - being contemplated. Retail development, links to other trails in Norfolk, housing opportunities, recreational offerings and more are being discussed.
But how much will it cost? And who is going to pay for it? Could this be a realistic, long-range plan or not?
Providing more information for Norfolkans and Northeast Nebraskans about this project is the goal of this week's series of stories titled "River walk: Norfolk's next big splash?"
Today's stories provide an introduction to the project and what is envisioned and why it's important. Here's what is planned for the rest of the week:
Tuesday: Two Daily News staff members take to a canoe to get a firsthand look at the North Fork. Plus, a look back at the 1970s plan.
Wednesday: More details from the Daily News canoe excursion, including some pleasant findings, as well as an explanation of just where the North Fork and its accompanying flood control channel starts.
Thursday: River walks in other cities are being used as an inspiration for Norfolk's supporters. The hope to link the river walk to other trails in Norfolk will also be explored.
Friday: How does one turn a vision into a reality, and a look at what how a huge project like this could be financed.
Saturday: It's time to do a bit of dreaming about what the river walk could become as well as provide information about how Norfolkans and others can get involved.
When Norfolk was settled in the 1860s, the first inhabitants who moved from Wisconsin were attracted, at least in part, by water.
The early settlers used the North Fork for everything from power for mills to water for livestock.
Now almost 150 years later, the river again is generating interest.
This time, the town's inhabitants are exploring ways to make water an attraction that would have economic and recreational benefits, as well as residential and tourist amenities.
Lonn Atwood, a Norfolk artist, said Norfolk - like many other cities its size - needs something to distinguish itself.
"Everything you read . . . the number one need people want is to live next to water," Atwood said. "It doesn't have to be a beach or next to a lake. It could be any water."
In that regard, Norfolk is fortunate because it has a river that flows through the heart of the city, he said. But little or nothing has been done to take advantage of it.
That could be changing.
What Atwood envisions "best use" development along the North Fork River, which flows from north of the Norfolk Country Club through the eastern part of the city to just north of Omaha Avenue.
If that river corridor ever became fully developed, Norfolk still would have more opportunities because additional space would be available along the flood control channel that runs east of the North Fork.
Atwood is realistic enough to know that the development won't happen overnight. He's aiming toward "pearls of development," which would include offices, restaurants, shops, recreational and entertainment opportunities and a mixture of housing.
From Atwood's perspective, it would make the most sense for the improvements to begin just north of Norfolk Avenue, extend past the water lock on First Street, and then upstream past King's Entertainment Center and to the Norfolk Country Club.
"The downtown would be a natural place to start because of the amenities that already exist and the need for redevelopment of the downtown to change our focus as to what Norfolk should be," Atwood said.
The "pearls of development" along the river would be linked by a river walk - a sidewalk of some sort - and links to trails that would extend to the downtown and other places, such as the Norfolk Arts Center, Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk Senior Citizens Center, post office and Elkhorn Valley Museum & Research Center.
Atwood said he doesn't know, at this point, what side of the river the walk would be located or how wide it would be.
Ideally, there would be a trail that could be more rustic and not paved that people could use for relaxing. Another hard-surfaced trail could be used for anything from bicyclists to people in golf carts who want to travel from their apartment to the Norfolk Country Club or other places, he said.
"Anything of this magnitude is going to be complex," Atwood said. "I fear we will limit the scope of our project because of our limited ability to see the power of it."
Atwood said cities of Norfolk's size need something to attract people. These days, people and new businesses want to locate in places where their employees want to live, he said.
That means cities must provides places not only to work, but also to shop, eat, have fun and live. Such amenities would not only be attractive to young people, but also the growing retirement community, he said.
Many of these amenities already exist in a close area within the downtown, but further development could occur and would lead to additional shopping and housing.
Part of the downtown, for example, could include a pedestrian shopping mall or be developed similar to the Old Market in Omaha.
Norfolk needs to look at itself as outsiders would look at it, he said.
"Developers would look at this whole plan and see the potential," he said. "I can see a lot of not just developers but others investing in this plan."
Atwood initially was not aware that an outdoor recreation and open space plan existed in 1974 for the North Fork. The plan initially was proposed by the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District.
Atwood said he has reviewed the plan, which he describes as "incredibly visionary" and "almost ahead of its time."
The plan may not have come to fruition because it was based on public funds. There wasn't much private funding opportunity or public and private partnerships, he said.
That plan may have laid the foundation, however, for the support in the community that now exists for the river walk.
As an example, representatives from the Montana office of the CTA Architectural firm were in Norfolk recently to discuss their views of the project after they made a tour.
Atwood said they were impressed because they had never previously been to a community where the idea for a river walk came from a "groundswell of the people."
Usually it comes from a government entity or a private entity that tries to convince the public that it is doable, he said.
"It's almost the opposite of what they are used to," Atwood said. "When they found out we had 10 committees with 80-some people working on it, they said we already had done the first 10 steps they would recommend."
Atwood said has spoken to about 200 individuals and groups about the project. He said the only thing he wants to get out of a river walk is to see that it becomes reality.
"Instead of seeing it in my mind, I want to see it real," Atwood said.
Reader Comments
Posted: Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Article comment by:
Samantha Focken
This article paints a better picture of this "river walk". "I fear we will limit the scope of our project because our limited ability to see the power of it", and we need to look at it as outsiders looking in, is exactly how I feel. We don't need to waste any more money on projects that are useless to the community. I think the city should get more chances to voice our opinions, and ideas. Maybe a poll, or proposed plan. We need visuals!! Then I don't think we will have to worry so much about where we will get the money. Fundraising is a great way to pull the community together, and even get some great ideas flowing! It should be a community project then right? Well, lets get the community involved then.
