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Paducah officials preview riverfront BUILD grant progress, target grand opening in September
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Summary
City staff presented before-and-after renderings and construction updates for the riverfront BUILD grant project, saying the compass-rose commons could be finished by July and the Excursion Pier and plaza and a grand opening are targeted for September, contingent on river levels.
City staff showed commissioners detailed before-and-after photos of the riverfront BUILD grant project on April 14, describing changes at the Convention Center entrance, Greenwood Trail tie-ins, a grand staircase to the pier, the compass-rose commons and the Excursion Pier and plaza.
"This is one of the biggest developments that we've had, in many, many years if ever on the Riverport Riverfront," Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Wilson said as staff walked the commission through the slides.
Staff (identified in discussion as Greg Goobert and Melanie) highlighted several completed and in-progress elements: reworked circulation at the Convention Center entrance, two installed bus shelters near the Quilt Museum and Walker Hall, extended trail connections to Executive Boulevard, new pavers and planted trees in the amphitheater and commons area, and concrete panels tying the pier walkway together. Project officials said the compass-rose commons area is being targeted for completion in July and the Excursion Pier and plaza and a grand-opening celebration are being targeted for September, but that schedules are contingent on river levels.
Design details discussed at the meeting include removable handrails on the pier to allow boats to dock at different water levels and welded fender systems that rise with water to facilitate safe docking. Staff also showed the foundation for "Port of Paducah" letters at the grand-staircase entries and said monolith features previously in place were preserved and the area opened up to allow additional public art elsewhere.
Commissioners and staff said they plan to coordinate a ribbon-cutting that may include state and federal partners when river conditions allow, and staff committed to firming up a date once they have more certainty about river levels. Mayor Pro Tem Wilson urged the public to visit the site and see current work and lighting in the area.
The presentation closed with no formal vote; staff will continue construction and return with scheduling details as river conditions permit.
