Principal Riverwalk

[DMRyan]

The KCCI news at 10 tonight reports that the steel for the ped bridge should be arriving in late April. The entire project now has a price tag of over $75 million and is set for a 2011 completion date provided that continued federal funding comes through. According to their report, nearly the entire west side of the riverwalk will be under construction this year, including the Court Avenue Plaza/Kiosk area and most of the trails and promenade south of Grand Avenue.
The project has been 90% funded so far.

Here's a few new renderings of what's being labeled as the West Bank from the Principal Riverwalk site.

[Better Life dude]

That is good news.

[DMRyan]

Here's the video link that shows some new graphics of the riverwalk for those interested:

http://www.kcci.com/video/19074556/index.html

[Better Life dude]

The pedestrian bridge walkways look different: Both lanes off to the south side instead of split right under the arch with space between them. Oh well - just get it done at this point!

[Ingersoll1978]

The pedestrian bridge walkways look different: Both lanes off to the south side instead of split right under the arch with space between them. Oh well - just get it done at this point!

I think it's much cooler in the newest rendering. I hope that is what is built!

[dsmLA]

This project is really going to fill out in the next two years. I can not wait!!!

[DMRyan]

A couple of items from the upcoming City of DSM council agenda about the western portion of the riverwalk; construction is not supposed to start on the Walnut to Grand Avenue section until Fall 2009 and the portion of the riverwalk abutting the YMCA site will be deferred to a later date depending on the redevelopment of the site. With this project, what's another few months after years of delay?

This project will include construction on the river side of the levee on both blocks and the plaza on the land side between Walnut Street and Locust Street in front of the Old Library. The project construction includes the multi-purpose trail, floodwall, irrigation and lighting, plaza and promenade pavers. Construction of this project will begin in the fall of 2009 and will be completed within one year. Construction of the plaza and promenade adjacent to the YMCA will be deferred, pending the proposed redevelopment of that property.

[dogbo]

I've been wondering about that. If that redevelopment is done rightof the Y site is done correctly, there should be a restaurant/bar/wtih large outdoor patio that will face the river. This will need to coordinate with the river walk somehow.

[DMRyan]

No steel arriving on site yet, but the work crews finally showed up today to start moving cranes around and perhaps bringing in more construction equipment. Hopefully, it won't be much longer to see some type of activity on the ped bridge.

[Better Life dude]

Finally. Yeh

[Mulder.DSM]

Does any one know who is in charge of the marketing window display for the Principal Riverwalk in the skywalk area of the Equitable Building?

The Principal Riverwalk sign fell down last week and is laying on it's side in the display window and needs to get hung back up.

I have no idea who is responsible for those windows to tell them about.

[spacebetween]

Does any one know who is in charge of the marketing window display for the Principal Riverwalk in the skywalk area of the Equitable Building?

The Principal Riverwalk sign fell down last week and is laying on it's side in the display window and needs to get hung back up.

I have no idea who is responsible for those windows to tell them about.

My guess would be the DCA or the management co for Equitable. Reach out to Amy Baker at the DCA, she will know. Let me know if you need her email...

[IowaNomad]

No steel arriving on site yet, but the work crews finally showed up today to start moving cranes around and perhaps bringing in more construction equipment. Hopefully, it won't be much longer to see some type of activity on the ped bridge.

Read today the steel beams are scheduled to arrive in Des Moines by May 1.

[Des Moineser]

No real progress, however, it appears there is finally some steel on the site.

[DMRyan]

Thanks for the photos Des Moineser. Those large green pieces of steel are actually the floating buoys to hold the cranes that will hoist the bridge. Some of them have already been placed in the water along the shore.

[Better Life dude]

Those "temporary" steel tower supports look like a monument to futility.

[Mastermind]

Have they taken the month of May off on the pedestrian bridge? This thing is taking forever...

[hawk61401]

The following quote from the DMR of September 2008 ..

An Indiana company constructing the bridge is behind, so instead of a mid-November grand opening, completion has been pushed back to early next spring.

From KCII of March 2009

The KCCI news at 10 tonight reports that the steel for the ped bridge should be arriving in late April

Early next spring has passed, summer is 3 weeks away. The Indiana company should appreciate the lucrative contract they were given. Are you still behind? We're getting impatient for the postcard-producing, piece of engineering excellence.

Maybe in 2009 ....

[GoVerticalDSM]

What's up with these morons? Sounds like we're getting taken to the cleaners.

[Better Life dude]

I have no inside information, just my opinion: This has to be a money issue somewhere in the pipeline. This bridge was designed/engineered by Arup - the worldwide company that engineered the Bejing Olympic stadium and Olympic aquatic center. Can't be a problem with the design. Even if there was a manufacturing problem, that would have been fixed about 12 months ago. I think in this case the local media is covering up the real story or they are being misled. It's ok if the Principal Riverwalk is behind in funding - we get that in this current economy. A little more transparency and forthrightness by the responsible parties would serve everyone well.

I've been thinking this for many months now - glad I'm venting. If enough of us tout the lack-of-money conspiracy theory, then maybe the truth would come out.

[mirage1]

I agree with BLD on this one.....it is a "follow the money" issue.

A smart bet might be a "major" sponsor of the riverwalk with recent large layoffs and now associated with wanting TARP money does not want all of the bad press associated with what some might consider "fluff" spending. Some of those budgets, while not cut, might have been delayed quietly. My opinion only.

[hawk61401]

Ok, now I am going into panic mode. This thing which currently looks like a gigantic erector set might look like this for months or worse? This would be the last thing that Des Moines needs. Agree with BLd, something smells and it ain't the Des Moines river. Smells like a money issue.

As Bld says, if the local media is covering up the story or being misled, that doesn't say much about our local watchdogs. It's only to make the situation worse. Surely, others have doubts and questions besides members of this forum.

[Better Life dude]

I agree with BLD on this one.....it is a "follow the money" issue.

See... I knew we could find common ground somewhere Mirage1. I guess we should next get together so I can buy you a round of your favorite beverage.

[Ingersoll1978]

I dunno...I'm not worried about it. If there was a major problem, it would be reported by the local media. I doubt the media is in cahoots with Principal to protect their "image." If that was the case, there wouldn't be no stories about layoffs or other negative press. All these projects take patience...and this one is demanding a lot of it!

[Mastermind]

To put this in perspective, the bids for the bridge went out in 2006. In December 2006 Wellmark announced they were building downtown...

[dogbo]

I dunno...I'm not worried about it. If there was a major problem, it would be reported by the local media. I doubt the media is in cahoots with Principal to protect their "image." If that was the case, there wouldn't be no stories about layoffs or other negative press. All these projects take patience...and this one is demanding a lot of it!

I'm with you Ingersoll. Can we pls leave the conspiracy theories to Oliver Stone?

[Better Life dude]

I dunno...I'm not worried about it. If there was a major problem, it would be reported by the local media. I doubt the media is in cahoots with Principal to protect their "image." If that was the case, there wouldn't be no stories about layoffs or other negative press. All these projects take patience...and this one is demanding a lot of it!

I'm with you Ingersoll. Can we pls leave the conspiracy theories to Oliver Stone?

No. I'm sticking with my theory. It's no big deal if there's a $$$ problem - or whatever the problem is. Just be more forthcoming about the real cause for the delays.

[DMRyan]

Why would the media or anyone else involved with this project besides Principal care if it were reported that the bridge needed more money? I'm really failing to draw a connection at this grasp at straws theory. It's not like Principal owns the riverwalk or is continiously chipping in more funds to see its completion. Principal has made their donation already, and now provides the leadership experience to keep things moving on the project--nothing more. It didn't give them a bad name when the scope/cost of the project grew by three times, with local leaders committed to lining up at the congressional trough every year to take back their piece of federal funding to see the completion of this project.

I'll ask the question of the head engineer for this project on Monday on what the status of the bridge is.

[Better Life dude]

I'll ask the question of the head engineer for this project on Monday on what the status of the bridge is.

Thank you.

[MrMafia]

I am twiddling my thumbs waiting for the answer as to when this is going to pick up again....