The city of Naperville could receive $900,000 in the federal money next year to enhance and upgrade the Riverwalk Eagle Street Gateway.
It’s one of 15 community projects for which U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, has announced he is seeking financial support through the House Appropriations Committee’s 2023 funding plan.
In his letter to the committee, Foster said the federal dollars would be used to correct major circulation deficiencies to the Naperville Riverwalk and to remove barriers for people with mobility challenges.
Riverwalk Commission Chairman Pat Kennedy said via email the group is thrilled about the possibility of accelerating one of the critical projects in the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan.
“This project provides an important accessible connection between the upper and lower level Riverwalk for people in wheelchairs or with strollers,
In addition, the plan will create a safer route to cross Eagle Street under the bridge, rather than at the busy intersection at Jackson Avenue or at the crosswalk on Eagle Street south of the bridge, Kennedy said.
“All in all, it will further enhance the crown jewel of a Riverwalk that we all know and love,” he said.
The projected cost for the improvements is between $1.3 million and $1.8 million, according to the 2031 plan.
The year 2031 is significant because that’s when Naperville will simultaneously celebrate the city’s bicentennial and the Riverwalk’s 50th anniversary.
Built in 1982, the half-acre segment of the Riverwalk that would be improved is anchored by the colorful red “Landforms” sculpture near the corner of Eagle Street and Jackson Avenue.
The city’s Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan notes that despite the signature feature, prime location and expansive 170-foot river frontage, the north riverbank walkway lacks a barrier-free connection between the street and river levels.
People with mobility challenges or families with strollers who traverse the Riverwalk at the river level must retrace the 1,000-foot pathway that dead-ends if they wish to return to street level without climbing stairs.
The width of the river level pathway beneath the Eagle Street bridge also is tighter, making it challenging even for pedestrians headed in opposite directions to pass.
The 2031 plan calls for correcting the mobility issues that will create a new Riverwalk attraction while retaining its iconic sculpture.
In addition, the retaining wall would be replaced with a series of broad steps and terraces diagonally bisected by a path that connects river and street-level paths. Native plants, landscaping and stone accents would decorate the space.
Other highlights of the master plan include an expansion of the grand pavilion to accommodate a multitude of events; a new prairie nature garden to showcase native ecology and habitat; riverbank restoration; a new park and gateway to North Central College; improvements near Hillside Avenue to increase exposure and accommodate cyclists; and an extension of the Riverwalk to Martin Avenue, linking to the Edward Hospital campus.
Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each U.S. representative may request funding for up to 15 projects in his or her community for fiscal year 2023. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible nonprofit entities are permitted to receive funding.
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