Master Plan Proposes New-Look Lawrenceburg Riverfront; Construction Could Start In '17

By Mike Perleberg A draft of the Lawrenceburg Riverfront Master Plan proposes a new Ohio River marina, serpentine wall on the levee, a plaza atop the city parking garage, and a new Civic Park. Rendering via American Structurepoint. (Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - A new proposal shows what a transformed Lawrenceburg riverfront could look like as soon as four years from today. Mayor Kelly Mollaun’s administration hired American Structurepoint earlier this year to develop and design improvements for the Ohio River levee in downtown Lawrenceburg. Engineers and planners have spent the past several months meeting with citizens and stakeholders, gathering ideas for what the riverfront needs to become more vibrant. “We think this can bring more people downtown and keep them downtown,” says Bryan Messmore, city coordinator and redevelopment director. “It can make it a more desirable place for development and investment.” A project proposal complete with designs and cost estimates was shared publicly on Wednesday, December 7. It can be viewed online at www.lawrenceburgriverfront.com. “The purpose of the Lawrenceburg Riverfront Master Plan is to set a new focus on creating a sense of place along the riverfront, improving the physical amenities and infrastructure to allow for connectivity and activity and to provide opportunities for development and redevelopment within the adjacent business community,” the executive summary of the plan states. A new permanent stage fixture would be the focal point of the proposed Civic Park at High and Short streets. The draft plan includes a new civic park at High and Short streets. Currently a parking lot where Lawrenceburg Main Street’s popular Music on the River concert series is hosted during the summer, the park would include a stage and a lawn to give the event or other performances a home. “The park would span High Street and include the construction of a permanent event stage, an artistic overhead shade structure, interactive water feature, and a variety of seating elements. The reconstruction of a portion of High Street would allow for a flush curb condition that would promote the use of the entire space during peak events and provide for flexible activities and programs throughout the year,” the plan states. The upper deck of the city parking garage at Ivy Tech would be converted into a plaza, accessible by a staircase from the High and Short street park, giving residents and visitors a clear and accessible path from downtown to the riverfront. A potential look for the Ohio River levee and a new boardwalk marina. But perhaps most intriguing are the possibilities illustrated on the Ohio River. A more inviting “wet” side of the levee would include a serpentine wall flanked by grass – friendlier than the rip rap rock that now covers much of the levee. A new on-the-river boardwalk could include space for the existing RiverWatch restaurant and other dining or retail. Two pedestrian walkways and a boat marina would allow access to the boardwalk, which would have enough room for community gatherings and small event performances. A new riverfront promenade would be constructed at the Doubletree by Hilton hotel. The estimated costs of all the projects adds up to about $15 million, according to American Structurepoint’s draft plan. Costs range from $6.9 million for the civic park to $1.76 million for the promenade. A funding mechanism isn’t clearly identified in the plan. “We’d have to let city council decide,” Messmore said, adding that the city could use savings or part of its annual budget to fund the improvements. But Lawrenceburg, with its casino gaming tax revenue, has been willing in the past to put millions towards projects aimed toward making downtown a destination for visitors and residents. See the Lawrenceburg Event Center. A plaza with green space and pergolas overlooking the river could be constructed on the top level of the city parking garage next to Ivy Tech Community College. If city officials opt to move forward at all, the project could be constructed and funded over time in phases. The draft plan assumes construction on the civic park starting in July of 2017. Messmore says it’s a good bet construction will start around then, as there is good consensus on the park and, unlike the projects on the river or levee, it would not require the involvement of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. “We want to get started,” says Messmore. The promenade, waterfront development, and upper plaza could break ground in 2019, with the Army Corp lengthy permitting timeline. All projects could be completed by 2020, assuming the city sticks to the timeline put forth by American Structurepoint. Messmore says the Lawrenceburg Riverfront Master Plan could be reviewed at the Lawrenceburg Redevelopment Commission’s next public meeting on January 9. City council could see it placed on its agenda on January 16. RELATED STORIES: View Three Lawrenceburg Riverfront Concepts Lawrenceburg Riverfront Visions Revealed AUDIO: Lawrenceburg Mayor Dishes On City Development Plans City Of Lawrenceburg Seeks Public Opinion For Riverfront Master Plan