MILTON — City Manager Brian Watkins recently shared overall plans and goals for Riverwalk Park, and how significant it could be for tourism in Santa Rosa County’s north end.
While many are already familiar with the completed portion of the park along Blackwater River in downtown Milton, more growth is on the way.
The $8.4 million project is separated into seven sections; each is listed in several phases, whether “completed,” “in progress” or “in planning.”
A presentation on the Riverwalk project provided the following information on each section.
Section 1: Carpenter’s Park to Quinn Street — A $100,000 boardwalk and sidewalk connector/pathway from Carpenter’s Park to Quinn Street along Broad Street. This section is listed as completed.
Section 2: Quinn Street to Milton Marina — Approximately 600 lineal feet of 6-foot sidewalk leading away from Broad Street on Quinn Street.The Milton Marina would connect to Carpenter’s Park upon completion. The project is listed as in progress at a cost of $12,000.
Section 3: Milton Marina — Listed as ‘in progress’ with a project cost of $1.5 million, permitting and site design of additional slips and other dock construction is listed as complete. The city has applied for a Florida Boating Improvement Program Grant for funding on slip construction. Phase 1 is included in the Santa Rosa County local RESTORE Council for a multi-year implementation with a $504,850 grant.
Section 4: North Riverwalk Extension — Considered the Riverfront Master Plan’s primary pedestrian features, this extension will connect the existing Riverwalk and downtown area to the Quinn Street Marina upon completion. The initial project cost — including design, permitting and construction of 2,200 by 12-foot boardwalk and other improvements — is $4,705,381.40.
Section 5: North Riverwalk — This completed section, which cost $500,000, offers a scenic view of the Blackwater River and is often used by the public during community events and photo opportunities.
Section 6: South Riverwalk — Like Section 5, South Riverwalk is complete and also offers a view of the river while in close proximity to downtown Milton. Project cost: $850,500.
Section7: South Riverwalk Extension — This extension, listed as ‘in progress’ at a cost of $1,375,000, will continue south toward the railroad trestle. State-appropriated funding for design, permitting and geotechnical work is $198,048. Among the section’s components is design, permitting, land acquisition, construction and approximately 550 by 12 feet of boardwalk.
Watkins said the most expensive uncompleted portion park is the North Riverwalk extension. The city currently lacks permission from several riverfront property owners to have a walkway easement near their property.
While the city lacks river access in the North Riverwalk extension, residents could still use sidewalks along Broad Street to access points along the Blackwater River.
In March, the project got a boost from state legislation in the form of $198, 048. Watkins said the funding will be used on the South Riverwalk extension.
Using almost $200,000, Watkins anticipates sending out a request for proposal on an engineering firm in the near future.
Watkins also anticipates the city’s newly contracted lobbying firm will work to secure funding on the south end extension.
The city also seeks to welcome not only the tourism industry to the area, boating enthusiasts as well as a newly constructed marina featuring expanded boat docking in the near future.
Funding for upgrading the marina building and the boat docking expansion would come from a partnership with the county’s Tourist Development Council.
More trips to Tallahassee are also anticipated in the future to seek additional legislative funding.
“Obviously, they thought this was a worthwhile project and we would like for them to continue to think it is a worthwhile project,” Watkins said.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: More funding sought for $8.4M Riverwalk project