Columbus Riverwalk
VISION: Our vision was and still is that the Columbus Riverwalk project will broaden the use of the land along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway for the citizens of our entire community, stimulate tourism, improve quality of life, protect the environment and strengthen the economy.
PROJECT: The Riverwalk Project started in 1999. A group of concerned citizens came together and worked with the city on acquiring the funds for transportation enhancement. Through the Mississippi Department of Transportation, grant dollars were found through a program called TEA 21. TEA 21 stands for Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. The City Federal Programs Coordinator wrote this Grant and the City and County approved the 20% match. The City of Columbus received the grant in 2000 for $1,100,000.
Throughout the process the vision for the walk was to enhance economic growth while attracting tourists and local citizens to use this walk. With security and maintenance an issue, the committee has worked diligently to develop a comprehensive maintenance and security plan. The Columbus Riverwalk & Trail is for the community to use and enjoy. It is a place to have fun and utilize one of our most valuable resources - The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. The plan is based on sound urban design principles that attracts public and private investment, increase tourism and foster a sense of community pride.
If you take the initiative and judge the land along the river in terms of its future potential, it's just possible that you may be creating a legacy for the future that will bring pleasure to many generations to come.