Naperville commission details goals for Riverwalk

The Naperville Riverwalk Commission hopes to fill in gaps in the Riverwalk and improve its safety and appearance in the coming years.

Chairman Rick Hitchcock on Thursday presented the Naperville Park District with a preliminary list of goals and projects the commission would like to undertake to sustain and enhance the Riverwalk long-term.

The document is an update of its 2004 development guidelines and includes projects from that plan as well as new ones.

Hitchcock said the group has vision for the Riverwalk that stretches out to the city's bicentennial in 2031.

"In 2031 we think the Riverwalk will remain one of the most important cultural, recreational and environmental assets in Naperville and continue to act as a powerful economic catalyst for the downtown," he said.

The commission laid out five goals to that end - complete the gaps in the downtown path, improve safety and accessibility, improve hospitality, update appearance and improve sustainability.

The draft plan goes on to list 29 projects the commission would like to undertake.

Among the top priorities is for the city to negotiate to purchase the building at 28 W. Chicago Ave. occupied by Sugar Monkey Cupcakes.

That goal that was in the original 2004 plan and Hitchcock said acquiring the property would improve access for pedestrians and service vehicles and eventually provide connectivity by going under the Washington Street bridge.

Also on the list is to continue a rehabilitation project to redevelop original portions of the Riverwalk.

The commission also hopes to reconstruct the area immediately west of Eagle Street to improve accessibility and appearance.

Other projects include replacing the asphalt path in Sindt Woods with recycled pavers, replacing the asphalt access lane near the Millennium Carillon, constructing a gateway plaza at Jefferson Avenue and widening the access ramp on the south side of the Moser Bridge.

Several of the improvements will need to be coordinated with developers doing projects along the Riverwalk including a development along Water Street and the Naperville Riverfront Plaza along Washington Street just south of Chicago Avenue.

Hitchcock asked the park district for support moving forward and said the plan will need leaders to have the same "can-do spirit" as Riverwalk visionaries Jim Moser and Chet Rybicki.

Riverwalk administrators will present their goals to the city council during a Sept. 8 workshop.

After getting input from officials and residents, Riverwalk commissioners plan to finalize recommendations and the associated costs and prepare a five-year plan.