Plan for west bluff of Root can advance
“The city can move forward with a goal of acquiring properties along Mound Avenue in hopes of transforming 3.2 acres of riverfront property in a sprawling recreation area.
The City Council voted 10-1 Tuesday night to approve part of the RootWorks: Root River Corridor Redevelopment Plan. It calls for the city to acquire five parcels across the street from the former Western Publishing building. That area will be turned into a bike path, outdoor classroom and scenic overlook.
City officials have been talking a lot in the past few months about plans to redevelop the area.
Tuesday is likely the last time aldermen will weigh in on the effort, until they are approached by the administration or staff to apply for grants to draft engineering plans for the area.
The Council will not be asked to approve the acquisition and relocation plan for the five properties, Assistant Director of City Development Matt Sadowski explained Monday. By voting to support the redevelopment plan, aldermen will be voting to give the city or Redevelopment Authority permission to either
purchase the properties or, if necessary, acquire them by eminent domain.”
Spoto, Cara. THe Journal Times 21 May 2014.