Community sees designs for Portneuf River visioning project
It’s been two years since the Portneuf River visioning project began in Pocatello. Thursday night, it got one step closer to its new design.
Last year, in 2017, the city of Pocatello partnered with landscape students at Utah State University to come up with design plans and ideas along the river.
On Thursday, those ideas were presented to the public for comment and feedback.
USU landscaping students have been working since last fall on two main areas around the river that need revitalization: Centennial Park and the Benton Street Bridge.
The students felt there was a major disconnect with the Benton Bridge connecting other areas of Pocatello the Portneuf River. So they came up with some ways to try and help that and further develop the areas around Benton.
“We wanted to develop the intersection at 5th avenue and Benton and kind of make it the entrance into Benton and Old town,” explained Trevor Kennedy, one of the students who worked on the project. “Then as you move down, revitalizing the ends of the Benton bridge on 2nd avenue and Benton, creating a lot of pedestrian activity and creating a hub there. And then on the other side of Benton, at Main and Benton, creating a plaza space that will also invoke pedestrian activity.”
Meanwhile, at Centennial Park, the students’ designs include adding a wetlands area with a boardwalk through it for bicycles and pedestrians to enjoy, adding an amphitheater, adding pavilions and nature play areas too.
Maggie Clark, project manager, said they really want to drive more outdoor recreation opportunities for people to enjoy at Centennial.
Clark added that safety near the river is still the city’s priority so the revitalization will not change that factor.
“The levy system was installed to mitigate the flooding, so that hasn’t changed,” Clark said. “The levy has been pushed back but it will will hold of the flood waters it was designed to hold.”
Clark said the importance of the project is to include the public and give them a better connection to the river. She said that has been the most common feedback the city has gotten from the community so they want to find the best ways to do that.
Clark said after public comment on these designs from USU students, the next step is to hire a professional design firm to draw up final plans.
Clark said the goal is to have a final design by fall of 2019 and construction to be done within five years.
If you missed the open house Thursday, the designs can still be seen at the Portneuf Valley Environmental Fair this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Caldwell Park.
