No funding yet but city has plans to expand Riverwalk past State Street

(Above) What the Riverwalk in front of Marina City might look like if Chicago can find $100 million to complete the project. Click on images to view larger versions.

October 8, 2012 – There still is no money to pay for it, but the dream of extending the Chicago Riverwalk past State Street now has official support from Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

On Monday, Emanuel announced he has challenged the Chicago Department of Transportation “to find creative ways to finance the construction of the remaining six blocks from State to Lake.” CDOT has asked the U.S. Department of Transportation for financial help through a program intended for infrastructure projects of regional or national importance.

It could cost as much as $100 million to complete the Riverwalk, providing a continuous walkway from the lakefront to the west side of the Chicago Loop.

“The Chicago River is our second shoreline, which has played such a critical role in Chicago’s early history, the development of our industry, and our quality of life,” said Emanuel in a news release on Monday. “It is now time to celebrate this incredible waterway with the completion of the entire Riverwalk project, from Lake Michigan to the confluence of the three branches.”

Designs from four firms were unveiled on Monday showing ideas for each of the six blocks from State Street to Lake Street. The span from State Street to Dearborn Street, for example, named The Marina by designers, would include seating and retail space for restaurants.

In addition to money from the government, the city will try to find private sponsors to help pay for operating and maintaining the Riverwalk. CDOT has been working on the project since the 1990s when it modified Wacker Drive along the main branch of the river to accommodate a pedestrian walkway.

Proposed designs of the Chicago Riverwalk from Dearborn Street to Clark Street…

Clark to LaSalle…

LaSalle to Wells…

Wells to Franklin…

…and Franklin Street to Lake Street.