Background/Discussion
The Riverfront Development, Phase 4 consists of an adventure tower, which will be equipped with an outdoor climbing wall, roll glide, and interior caving space. Also included is a pier, approximately 700 linear feet in length that extends from the levee trail to the Missouri River and will be located south of I-480, approximately 250 linear feet north of the Harrah’s parking lot and entry into Tom Hanafan Park. A playground and dog park are also being planned as part of the development. The dog park will be located north of the I-480 Bridge, just south of the Tom Hanafan parking lots. The playground will be located south of the I-480 Bridge, north of the Broadmoor apartments, east of the levee trail. The City is in discussion with IDOT for the disposal of a portion of the DOT right-of-way in order to place the playground. A portion of the site is also owned by Broadmoor Apartments, and they have agreed to transfer the property to the City. The design of the adventure tower, tree top walk and pier has not changed since the Council has reviewed the project. The dog park and playground will be presented to the Council at a later date. However, a supplement packet has been submitted with this resolution that includes design layout and images of the project.
The City is in the process of drafting a management agreement with a third party to manage these recreational elements. The US Army Corps. of Engineers (USACOE) is currently reviewing the development of the adventure tower, tree top walk and pier. The permits for the dog park and playground will be submitted to the USACOE when the design development plans are at 90%.
To date, $47,700,000.00 has been raised through private donations and grants. Unfortunately, given the increase costs of construction and necessary refinement of the development plans, the project is still projected to need an estimated four to six million dollars. We have already begun the process of raising the remaining funds. And, we submitted an Enhance Iowa Grant application to the state and requested an award of $1,000,000.00. A requirement of this grant is a contribution from the city and county the development is located. The city has proposed to contribute $50,000.00 and will ask the county to contribute $25,000. Without this contribution, the city is not eligible to receive the Enhance Iowa Grant award.