Design of expanded Riverwalk highlights a key moment in Bradenton’s history
The eastern expansion of Riverwalk is starting to take shape with new design renderings that show the city’s vision for the new park.
Bradenton City Council discussed the visual update at a meeting Wednesday morning, after a presentation on the first 30 percent of the design from Ed Dean, a landscape architect with Kimley-Horn.
The Manatee Mineral Springs Park will be the final destination for the expanded Riverwalk, and city officials say they’re committed to shining a spotlight on the historical significance of the site where escaped slaves took refuge and used the spring as a source of drinking water.
“What we’re trying to capture is a special experience with the spring. We want to look at a way to a create a memorable experience for someone who wants to see the spring itself,” Dean said.
Part of that experience could come from an interactive landmark near the spring that offers a hands-on experience for visitors. By building an Archimedean screw or some other hand-activated water pump, the idea is to call back to those early 1800s settlers who used similar methods to survive.
“I think everybody agrees that the historical significance is what we’re trying to focus on here. If you’re going to have a water pump, we should have one that looks like something. I think that’s pretty neat,” said Mayor Wayne Poston, who spoke in support of a creative interaction at the spring. “If we’re going to design, let’s design to the top of our ability.”
“I think it’s a great plan, and as far as the spring itself, I look at the historic side to it,” Councilman Harold Byrd Jr. added.
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Kimley-Horn is also planning features that will help guests enjoy the Manatee River, such as a living shoreline, a renovated pier and a mangrove boardwalk that extends out over the water.
While the $7.5 million project is shaping up to be an attractive development for the community, Dean pointed out that the project managers aren’t aiming to turn the Riverwalk East expansion into a “major destination.”
“We need to be sensitive that we’re in a residential area,” said Dean. “This is more neighborhood-focused.”
Preliminary plans call for about 29 parking spaces along 14th Street East, but the city could still choose to add more. According to Dean, Kimley-Horn is aiming to finish designing the Riverwalk expansion by the end of June, and hopes to kickoff construction at the beginning of August.
Council members voted unanimously to allow Kimley-Horn to move forward with the project and bring back a final contract price at a later date.
This story was originally published February 20, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
