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Why haven't we developed the riverfront? Why hasn't the floodwall been taken down between 13th and 8th Streets and a development incorporating another flood solution been put up in place? We are a city on the RIVER! It's insane we leave it pretty much untouched (outside of lightly used/visited Riverfront Park) and actually HIDE IT (behind a hideous floodwall).
I know there were plans years ago for a large development. Has that fallen through?
We should have buildings (highrises), shops, and a boardwalk on the river. Other river cities do it masterfully (usually building what would be ON TOP of a flood wall structure - not behind it).
It's like sitting on a pot of gold/winning lottery ticket...whatever metaphor you want to use and never cashing it in. It's like having a million dollar view (literally) and lining up dumpsters in front of it (the floodwall).
Yes the plans fell through. There's no funding for any of that. Yes the floodwall has prevented Huntington's access to the river. The riverfront is also within the regulatory floodway of the river so any businesses built down there would have to have extremely expensive flood insurance policies and that also is a large barrier against any substantial construction due to permitting.
I've asked city hall about this and it's like pulling teeth to get a reply, let alone any information. I was told the city has a contract with a developer, who is still trying to secure financing. This deal was announced around 5 years ago. If you can't get the financing and such lined up in that amount of time, you're either not very good at developing or perhaps lazy.
I'm also guessing that the city either signed a contract that didn't have an out clause or the city leadership is just as lazy. This is why I always have doubts when Mayor Williams announces any type of redevelopment plan. He has a record of not seeing projects through. Who's to say if the announced Highlawn project will ever come to be?
The riverfront is a reminder of the failed city leadership of the past 50 years. All that time to develop it and little has changed.
Correction to my previous post, the Riverfront development plans were announced in 2015. So it's been around 6 years and the only thing to show for it is a new boathouse for the HFD rescue boat.
I've asked city hall about this and it's like pulling teeth to get a reply, let alone any information. I was told the city has a contract with a developer, who is still trying to secure financing. This deal was announced around 5 years ago. If you can't get the financing and such lined up in that amount of time, you're either not very good at developing or perhaps lazy.
I'm also guessing that the city either signed a contract that didn't have an out clause or the city leadership is just as lazy. This is why I always have doubts when Mayor Williams announces any type of redevelopment plan. He has a record of not seeing projects through. Who's to say if the announced Highlawn project will ever come to be?
The riverfront is a reminder of the failed city leadership of the past 50 years. All that time to develop it and little has changed.
Totally agree.
And I understand 304eers concerns about being in the "floodway", but isn't any city on a major (or even minor) river in a floodway...until the city does something about it? I mean until you build a solution for it...I would assume every original piece of raw land touching a river was in a floodway. I don't understand why other cities can utilize their rivers and engineer solutions for riverfront developments and we can't.
And I understand 304eers concerns about being in the "floodway", but isn't any city on a major (or even minor) river in a floodway...until the city does something about it? I mean until you build a solution for it...I would assume every original piece of raw land touching a river was in a floodway. I don't understand why other cities can utilize their rivers and engineer solutions for riverfront developments and we can't.
I agree regarding your comment about other cities. I think one could even argue that Charleston has a nicer riverfront than Huntington. Just look at other cities like Dubuque Iowa, Chattanooga Tennessee and Savannah Georgia to see some great examples of how to embrace the water and develop a riverfront.
Pittsburgh has done a great job in redeveloping parts of their waterfronts. Also, Spokane Washington just redeveloped their riverfront park and it looks great.
It can be done but the city has to have strong leadership, vision, and "go-getters" to make it happen.
I've asked city hall about this and it's like pulling teeth to get a reply, let alone any information. I was told the city has a contract with a developer, who is still trying to secure financing. This deal was announced around 5 years ago. If you can't get the financing and such lined up in that amount of time, you're either not very good at developing or perhaps lazy.
I'm also guessing that the city either signed a contract that didn't have an out clause or the city leadership is just as lazy. This is why I always have doubts when Mayor Williams announces any type of redevelopment plan. He has a record of not seeing projects through. Who's to say if the announced Highlawn project will ever come to be?
The riverfront is a reminder of the failed city leadership of the past 50 years. All that time to develop it and little has changed.
Another possibility is you are unable to obtain financing because it is too much of a risk compared to the reward. If you had say $10 million would you put it there?
Another possibility is you are unable to obtain financing because it is too much of a risk compared to the reward. If you had say $10 million would you put it there?
A better question is, How are multiple other cities able to complete similar projects?
And for a follow-up to that question, why hasn't Huntington followed their plans, strategies, etc.?
A better question is, How are multiple other cities able to complete similar projects?
And for a follow-up to that question, why hasn't Huntington followed their plans, strategies, etc.?
Because those cities are either a lot larger or booming. When Parkersburg or Portsmouth start building on the waterfront, then Huntington will have a problem. Huntington has a lot bigger issues than building on the waterfront. Would it be nice and would bring more people downtown, absolutely. But let's bring in businesses, people, and grow, then the money will come to make nice improvements like that.
And for your follow-up question, money. That's all it is. You can't make tens of millions appear out of thin air. Something like the Scioto Greenway in Columbus was $44 million and that didn't include a 30 ft. floodwall demolition.
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