BATH

Bath city councilors reviewed conceptual designs for the development of a riverwalk and improvements to the Guilford lot on Wednesday night.

City Manager Bill Giroux explained that the project will involve constructing a waterfront pathway along the Kennebec River that stretches from the train station to the RiverWalk Condominiums, which are in the process of being built on Commercial Street.

He noted that current property owners have been included in the discussions, as the path will connect through the Waterfront Park and may affect other properties along the river.

Giroux said the project began when the city received $1 million through a state grant to rebuild the train station. After its improvements, the city was also able to get funding to improve the Waterfront Park, as it “was not a formal space” prior to the $1.2 million project.

“We did that because we knew we had an opportunity to fund it,” he said. “And so we’ve continued on in trying to pursue this riverwalk concept.”

While councilors approved $81,000 in tax increment financing for the project last year, Giroux said he would recommend $120,000 this year.

“And really what that does is it allows the city council to borrow money to finish the riverwalk and to use that $120,000 or something around there for debt service every year,” he said.

He added that the project would not increases property taxes due to the TIF funding.

Jennifer Claster, a landscape architect at Wright-Pierce Engineering, shared some of the preliminary designs of the project on Wednesday.

During this information gathering stage, Claster said they have been trying to determine “what uses would be taking place in what parts of the project area.”

A new park would be planned for the Guilford lot, located by the pump station, which would feature landscaping, a creative play area for children and a small memorial, among other details.

“I think it’s going to be such a great introduction to the city coming over the bridge,” said Councilwoman Susan Bauer.

In addition to building the park and a plaza by the RiverWalk apartments, the sidewalks and waterfront pathways for the riverwalk may also include a six-foot-wide boardwalk behind the BathPort structure.

Claster explained that this pathway would then connect to a walkway behind the Kennebec Tavern before it emerged back onto Commercial Street.

When asked about flooding possibilities, Giroux said there was no way to flood-proof the riverwalk, though he said Wright-Pierce would be asked “to construct a path that would be less likely to be damaged in high water.”

“There are certain areas of the project where it would be very difficult to provide a flood-proof walkway without elevating it considerably,” Claster said.

Councilor Tink Mitchell also pointed out the importance of installing railing on some of the paths for safety measures, though not to the entire riverwalk.

Following the completion of surveys this May, and permit applications, bids and construction work, Claster said the project would likely be completed by fall 2018.

While Wednesday’s meeting did not require a vote, councilors seemed to be pleased with the overall project.

“Riverwalks are fairly common these days,” Giroux said. “Especially with the condominium project going on … this seems like the perfect time. Often, there’s a window of opportunity to do things and this is our window.”

dkim@timesrecord.com