City of Tuscaloosa tentatively awarded grant for western expansion of Riverwalk
June 10, 2019
A grant dedicated to the western expansion of the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk in the amount of $342,699 has been tentatively awarded to the City of Tuscaloosa by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
The Recreational Trails Program grant opportunity will take effect for the 2020 fiscal year funding cycle as part of a project estimated at $550,000.00, with $342,699 coming from Recreational Trail Program funds and the City providing match in the amount of $207,301.
The extension of the Riverwalk to the historic West End of Tuscaloosa is concurrent to the West End Revitalization and Economic Development Plan. This expansion will connect an existing section of the Riverwalk around the Amphitheater towards the west and will provide access to transportation, economic opportunities, and recreational opportunities to residents of western Tuscaloosa.
The City of Tuscaloosa has plans to expand the Riverwalk westward and northward as part of the Riverwalk Master Plan. Public collaboration for the Riverwalk Masterplan included input from the cities of Tuscaloosa and Northport, as well as Tuscaloosa County. Other public entities to offer input for the Riverwalk Master Plan update for 2018 include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, The University of Alabama, and Stillman College, local businesses, adjacent property owners, and recreational enthusiasts.