Demopolis has secured a grant from the Alabama Department of Transportation for approximately $403,237.60 to finally begin work on “Arch Street”. Arch Street is the area of land running along the Tombigbee riverbank roughly from the Yacht Basin to the Botanical Gardens area. The City will add in $100,809.40 to finish off the cost of the project.
According to the Times” “There will be a new 4,875-foot x 10-foot of reinforced concrete bike and pedestrian path for the public to use. Secondly, there will be a four-foot high safety fence that will run the entire length and will be constructed of decorative iron. There will also be lighting every 200 feet along with concrete benches every 400 feet. The entire walk will be landscaped with shrubbery and annuals. Two floating docks will be installed for the everyday and the casual boaters to use.” Though not specified, it seems only rational to have access to the boat docks from the walking path. The near-mile stretch puts the end of the walk (if it starts at the Yacht Basin) seemingly right in the middle of the old Botanical Gardens site—if they stay along the riverbank. There had been some concern and vocal opposition over the walkway running through the backyards of some citizens living along the proposed path, but that seems not to be a problem anymore according to the Times.
Private property is really only half the debate though. The other half is the very real condition along Arch Street known as erosion. Over the years the Bluffs have continued to erode. The old concrete wall that ran along the riverbank has in many places broken off and fallen into the river. (Visit the Gallery for a picture tour of Arch Street) Attempts by us to get answers as to the rate of erosion or it’s effects in the future to a scenic Riverwalk along the bank have produced little to no information. What’s obvious is at the apparent current rate a Riverwalk placed within 10 feet of the bank would most likely be falling into the river within 20-30 years. Moving the walk back farther would extend the life, but would take away from the view of the Bluffs. If the walk extends past the Civic Center, and goes behind it, there isn’t any room to get back off the Bluffs. Considering this is an “Arch Street” Grant, they may not be able to deviate off the river much. They could end at the Civic Center, but that falls short of the proposed length of the path. Even though the plans were started back in 1976, I’m certain they have to be changed a bit. Obviously, there are less Bluffs and land to work with now.
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What kind of work can the Corps of Engineers do to keep the riverbanks from further erosion? If they do try something like placing large boulders along the shore, won't it make the bluffs less eye appealing? Has the Corps even had input on this project? Something has to be done before someone is hurt because the concrete wall fell on someone. I've seen people over the fence during COTR. The weight of a crowd could cause a weak section along the fence to collapse. The bluffs do concave in places.
I know for a fact that the residents are still very unhappy about the possibility of this being in their backyards. I'm not sure who the "Times" talked to, but no one is happy with it. The grant application was so incorrectly written, the Dept. of Trans. should be embarrassed too for giving the money.
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Just to clarify something. Vickie Taylor DIDN'T write the grant for the old fire dept. She took credit for someone else's work. Don't be fooled by what some people say.
"Labor is the source of all wealth" Harry's Bar T-shirt
As much as I am for a riverwalk,it's not worth making the public angry and possibly risking public safety in the near future just to have a new public attraction in Demopolis.I believe they should have refigured the plans,including the erosion factor from the old plans,before getting the "go-ahead" for this project.
I can't get upset over the City getting free funds.
From earlier articles on transportation money, I believe Kirk Brooker had a major role in getting the language right when applying for the funds.
I agree with Sarge--something has to be done along the wall. If the grant money is like any other money from the government, it'll have to be spent in this project alone. I just hope they do it correctly. Putting almost a mile of concrete on top of limerock will be difficult to keep it from cracking up every time the ground shifts a little. I can remember the temmis courts have to be resurfaced every few years due to the gaping cracks that would form.
If it's done correctly, though, I think it will be a good addition to the town.
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Well since I wrote the article let me have a say in this matter.
I talked with Mark Pettus and he told me they had a geologist come in and do a report on the bluffs. He said they are losing about an inch a year.
So we have a while before the bluffs disappear and take the project with them.
I know Kirk had a major role in the old fire department, in the article i said that she had help with the grants.
I still say anything positive for the city is good. If a few people have a problem with the project, that's no reason to not build the project because why would you let 10 people stop something that would effect 8000 people.
Moving on up, Moving on up to eastside, to those deluxe apartments in the sky!!!.
I don't know that this would be a positive or good thing for the city.
I just wish they'd fix the wall that is in place (well, kind of in place) and do something for the citizens at the city landing. I think this situation is a nightmare, that everyone doesn't realize we are getting into. Time will tell.
The botanical gardens and the seating at the civic center were supposed to be good for the community also. There is just no history of maintaining anything. This is basically the same point that has bothered me from the beginning.
"Labor is the source of all wealth" Harry's Bar T-shirt
I wonder how the arch bridge will look crossing the basin, from the viewpoint of someone driving by on 43. Was "Arch Street" an actual street years ago and the residents "reclaimed' it over the years. Did the city abandon the street?
