City of Pueblo pushing for riverwalk expansion

Talks of extending the riverwalk’s channel have been going on for years. However, Pueblo City councilman Mark Aliff said it’s now or never.

“The riverwalk is part of our DNA,” said Aliff. “It’s part of who Pueblo is. We need to take care of that and we need to expand and develop down there.” Mark Aliff was chosen by Pueblo city council to collaborate with the county, HARP Authority, and Urban Renewal on the expansion. The HARP expansion is one of 20 1A public projects approved by voters in 2016. Currently the county is attempting to prioritize which projects should be done first. Aliff and Pueblo City Council would like the riverwalk expansion to be at the top of that list. The proposed plan would extend the channel east through Ferguson Plumping Supply and stopping at Santa Fe Avenue. However, for this proposal to work the city must act, which includes purchasing the Ferguson property. “If we don’t move forward and if the city doesn’t get proactive in the property acquisition and getting this done then the riverwalk expansion will fall down to the bottom of the projects and would probably have to wait another five ten years or maybe never,” said Aliff. The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo’s vision also includes a boathouse as well as an aquatic center. Some of the discussions between city and county officials included the idea of expanding the riverwalk west instead of east past Lake Elizabeth. Both came to the conclusion that expanding east was for the best. “We need this for the downtown area, and the development of the downtown area,” said Aliff. “This renaissance that we are going through can continue if the riverwalk is expanded.” On Monday city council will hear from HARP Authority on their vision for the new extension. They will also hear from Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority on whether or not the project is financially possible.