SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) - Sioux City officials are considering a $16.4 million riverfront redevelopment plan, though the mayor has voiced concern that there will not be enough parking spaces.
Architecture company SmithGroup JJR presented council members with the updated plan Monday, The Sioux City Journal reported .
The plan includes interactive structures that light up and change color, which will be placed around a fountain, said landscape architect Tom Rogers.
“We did extensive work with a fountain consultant, making sure that we were getting really good use out of it, making sure that it was interactive, fun and playful, but not using too much water and not making maintenance too much of a burden,” Rogers said.
The plan also includes open green spaces, pavilions, overlooks, a basketball court, a dog park, a playground and a fishing pier platform.
“The good thing about this plan is that it offers a little something for everyone in our community and those that visit our community,” Councilman Dan Moore said.
Mayor Bob Scott said he’s concerned that the planned 67 parking spaces will not be sufficient. He said the plan could be reworked to increase parking space, though that would mean reducing event space.
“This is all great, but if you don’t have parking, don’t build a park, because people are not going to walk miles to go to this,” Scott said.
The council has tentatively designated $6 million in city funds for the project. Organizers will have to turn to private fundraising.
Work on the project would be conducted in three phrases, which could begin in 2020 and finish in 2023, Rogers said.
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Information from: Sioux City Journal, http://www.siouxcityjournal.com
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