San Antonio has its Riverwalk, though the waterway it showcases is less than inspiring – small enough that the city drains it once a year for cleaning.
Still, its dyed green water on St. Patrick's Day drew about 15,000 to the hotels, restaurants and bars along Riverwalk.
Activity along the Sacramento River was more sedate this week.
However, Sacramento and West Sacramento officials are moving ahead with construction of pedestrian walkways to create more of a riverfront buzz.
"Other cities have done it with a less impressive waterway – and San Antonio is a perfect example," said Val Toppenberg, West Sacramento's director of development. "They have created a wonderful environment with what is essentially a canal."
Along the Sacramento River, sections of a promenade are either completed, planned or under construction on both sides of the river.
This week, masons worked with brick on a walkway near the I Street Bridge on the West Sacramento side.
While across the river along Front Street, a Caterpillar tractor prepared the roadbed for a new portion of the promenade.
West Sacramento built a Riverwalk Promenade section north of the Tower Bridge a few years ago.
Currently under construction is a section north of the CalSTRS building to the I Street Bridge.
And last week, the City Council approved a $700,000 engineering design contract for the first 250 feet south of the Tower Bridge.
Design of that relatively short southern portion will occur this summer and construction could occur toward the end of the year.
Eventually, the promenade will go past the Pioneer Bridge. Along with the finished promenade will come shade structures, trees and the water fountains – amenities similar to what will be in the first 250 feet.
Across the river, the Sacramento City Council last month approved a project now under construction to extend the 20-foot-wide pedestrian and bike path from the current pathway ending at O Street south by another 1,500 feet, to beyond R Street.
The project is the first of four phases in the construction of a mile-long promenade along the river from O Street to Miller Park and will border the proposed Docks residential and commercial development.
In addition to the pathway, a half-acre park will be developed between R and S streets on the west side of Interstate 5.
The contract approved by the City Council is worth $4.9 million. It will be paid for with a combination of state funds earmarked for riverfront development, fees the city collected from downtown developers that are set aside for parks and downtown tax increments.
Toppenberg said both cities are trying to "connect the public with the river."
Call The Bee's Bill Lindelof, (916) 321-1079.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.