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Riverwalk panel turns to residents for funding ideas By Kate R. Houlihan staff writer Naperville Sun, May 26, 2006 Around 40 community leaders and residents showed up at the Municipal Center on Thursday to get a glimpse of proposed Riverwalk renovations and brainstorm ideas for raising the money to turn visions into reality. "We think there's some exciting opportunities for the community to rally around (the ideas and fundraising) ... but there are some challenges," Riverwalk Commission Chairman Rick Hitchcock said. The breakfast meeting was divided into two parts: a presentation in which people could learn about the scope of the renovations, and a question-and-answer session to air opinions and develop funding mechanisms. Hitchcock took the group through the three segments of renovation the commission has been examining. The first changes as tentatively detailed would include widening the grand promenade to the east of Dandelion Fountain, expanding the plaza around the fountain and replacing the bulkhead walls along the river. The bulkhead walls will be tackled in the near future, Hitchcock said. Although not the most noticeable in terms of visual improvement, the walls' state of disrepair warrants attention before problems escalate. "What we learned (from a consultant hired to evaluate the walls) scared the hell out of us," Hitchcock said. "Bottom line is, we have some trouble in River City." The first segment would cost $1.8 million and the work would start around fall 2007. Audience members agreed the Riverwalk is a cherished community asset that deserves full attention. "Anything worth owning is worth taking care of," yelled out one person sitting in the back of the room. Ideas for funding ranged from using the Special Events and Cultural Amenities Fund to holding a bond referendum to having a "Riverwalk sock" in each house where loose change could be collected and then taken quarterly to be placed in the fountain. Many people asked if the city could foot the entire bill. Councilman Richard Furstenau, one of two council members in attendance, said the city has doled out money in the past. "We are on your side," he said. "We know the value of that asset out there. ... We don't want the Riverwalk to go to pot. That's the last thing I want."
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