Lonn Atwood isn't looking to reinvent the wheel - just bring it closer to home.
After all, other communities already have developed successful river walks - the same general concept Atwood and others are pursuing for Norfolk.
"We can tap into some of their failures, successes and use that as a model, a template, for us to use in our own development," Atwood said.
He is one of several Norfolkans who are committed to exploring a downtown river walk.
Committee members are taking to the Internet to research what other communities have done.
"We can say, 'Well, this community is the same size as Norfolk, and they have a river walk, and it's had this effect. Or, this community did a revitalization project and it resulted in people moving there.' So we can kind of analyze what effects our efforts will have ahead of the game," Atwood said.
Cities that have been studied include Sioux Falls, Milwaukee, Des Moines, Ankeny, Iowa, and Pueblo, Colo.
"Right now, our committee is still doing searches," Atwood said. "You go to 'river walk' and you get 3 million hits on Google. There are a lot of examples."
Of course, no one thinks about San Antonio without thinking of its famous river walk.
"Their efforts have gained worldwide recognition. . . . If we could garner a fraction of that notoriety for our efforts, we'd all be doing very well," Atwood said.
Atwood took a vacation there and captured photos of the river walk there and even talked to the city's river authority officials.
"They've given me lots of information and are willing to foster us through the process," Atwood said.
When comparing San Antonio to Norfolk, one must consider the size, Atwood said.
While the city itself is huge, San Antonio's river is actually smaller than Norfolk's, Atwood said.
San Antonio can be used as an urban model, though, he said. San Antonio's river walk has 2 1/2 miles that is heavily commercialized with restaurants, shops and other businesses right along the river.
"They've really created an incredible tourist destination," he said.
San Antonio's downtown was once a real deficit, but since it's been redeveloped, it's bringing in billions of dollars to the city, Atwood said.
Now city leaders are looking to expand the river walk to include a northern route to the museums and a southern route to other destinations, such as The Alamo.
Other river walks in different parts of the country include trails that are more recreational. Others are wilder and less developed.
Norfolk, Atwood said, has the ability to do both rural and urban stretches.
"We have the opportunity here because of our river and the way it's laid out to do something that they can't do in Omaha, to do something that Lincoln can't do or Sioux City," Atwood said. "I'd love to see people from there drive here for once. Those roads go both ways."
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Coming tomorrow: OK, so the river project sounds like a neat idea, but is it financially viable, how much could it cost and who's going to pay for it?
Reader Comments
Posted: Friday, October 19, 2007
Article comment by:
Colette Swan
That dirty ol river could put Norfolk on the map! Companys are looking at us, but then locate to a different city. You have to have something to offer. We have the greatest natural resource right here. People are building their own ponds to be close to water. Bugs or not it would be the greatest thing that ever happen to Norfolk!
Posted: Friday, October 19, 2007
Article comment by:
Mike Brogan
Response to comment by Ender Wiggins: Those supporting the Riverwalk Development project ARE interested in bringing jobs to Norfolk. Our studies have found that outside employers will not move their businesses to a community of our size unless we have more of the amenities that big cities have. An well planned city, with multiple attractions, is what we need to get those employers and jobs. And keep the young people at home.
Posted: Friday, October 19, 2007
Article comment by:
Andrew Krause
How in the world you gonna do this "river walk" thing when Norfolkans already turned down a waterpark? I agree with the first comment bring JOBS- then we can talk about river development projects and what not!
Posted: Friday, October 19, 2007
Article comment by:
bob collins
originally from norfolk area...riverwalk sounds like good idea to explore....jacksonville, florida has developed a pretty nice "riverwal" and has included and area called "the landing" whheere many well known events have taken place. It's warm here and a exploritory trip might fit in this winter. see you then and good luck.
Posted: Thursday, October 18, 2007
Article comment by:
Lynn A. Blennert-Kohles
Hey, Ender Wiggins, I would...and I have been...this walking of this North Fork of this Elkhorn river has done more for my health than pretty much anything else of these past few years has. I don't notice the bugs, nor any fowl smell, nor the others out walking...I just notice my ability to be able to do this...and I'm thankful to do so...
~ Lynn ~
