The Hamilton County Commission likely will award a contract next week for the design of the expansion of the Tennessee Riverwalk.
County Mayor Claude Ramsey said local businesses might contribute money to see the project to completion.
Last week, commissioners authorized Mr. Ramsey to sign an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Transportation and Chattanooga for a $1.7 million federal grant to expand the Riverwalk.
PDF: Riverwalk project resolution
The city and county government will split a $430,900 match required to proceed with the expansion.
Next week, the County Commission will consider approving a $189,900 contract with Barge, Waggoner, Sumner & Cannon for the design of the first phase of the project.
With the grant 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 getting other contributors will be necessary if the cost of the project exceeds the money available.
“Other entities have said to me they’re interested in contributing,” he said.
When asked what he meant by entities, Mr. Ramsey said “businesses” but did give specific names.
Jeannine Alday, Mr. Ramsey’s chief of staff, said the design process would move forward quickly.
“We’ve got them on a real fast track because of the grant deadlines,” she said.
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