The Hamilton County Commission took another step Wednesday toward the expansion of Chattanooga's downtown Tennessee Riverwalk.
Commissioners authorized Mayor Claude Ramsey to sign an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the city of Chattanooga for a $1.7 million federal grant to expand the Riverwalk.
With the money, the Riverwalk can be extended more than 6,000 feet from its current end point at Ross's Landing to a new end at the Alstom plant.
According to Dan Saieed, who oversees the county's grant department, the walk will veer from the river at West 19th Street to the trailhead at Finley Stadium.
Mr. Ramsey said the expansion will be "the next positive step" for the Riverwalk.
According to the agreement, the city and county governments would split a $430,900 match required to proceed with the project. Mr. Saieed has said the project still needs to go through the design process.
Larry Zehnder, administrator of parks and recreation for the city of Chattanooga, said the city's match has not been approved, but he predicted the city will provide its share of the money. He said the Riverwalk is a "high priority" for the city.
"It's got the support of the mayor and the administration," he said.
In other action, the commission took care of several items that benefit the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. Among the items were authorizing the office to buy used vehicles for its undercover operations at a cost not to exceed $200,000.
The commission also awarded a contract to G.T. Distributors of Georgia Inc. for replacement protective vests for sheriff's office personnel and a $40,242 contract for 20 tablet computers for the office.
The commission also approved a $150,000 increase in a contract with Kay & Kay Contracting for a bridge replacement over Bonny Oaks Drive.
Commissioner John Allen Brooks said the contractor had to dig deeper than expected to find bedrock as a foundation for the bridge, which increased the cost to up to $1.3 million.
Continue reading by following these links to related stories:
Article: Hullander hits Levi again over banking business
Article: Tennessee: Ramsey says outside counsel may oppose federal health reform
Article: Ramsey demands attorney general oppose health reform
Article: Lt. Governor Ramsey: State must challenge constitutionality of healthcare bill