Charleston Gazette
4 October 2005
Professional urban designers have drafted plans to turn four miles of Charleston riverbank along Kanawha Boulevard into an alluring "green ribbon" park. The concept is tantalizing.
The Boulevard would be narrowed, creating a wide shoreline covered with trees, grass, jogging lanes, benches, picnic spots, bicycle paths and other enticements of nature.
At several major cross-streets, piers would be built into the river, so boaters could tie up to enjoy the park and city festivals.
Haddad Riverfront might be revised and outfitted with a huge canopy to solve the problem of blistering summer heat.
A park road would pass the Union Building at water's edge and rejoin Kanawha Boulevard at Hale Street. The Union Building could be a riverbank dining hub, and perhaps an apartment tower.
Magic Island would acquire a larger role, serving boaters and landlubber families.
The state government would cooperate, to find more appealing uses for the neglected waterfront steps before the Capitol.
All this, we think, offers delightful possibilities to enhance the quality of life in Charleston and make the capital a more appealing "destination city" for visitors.
Of course, finding enough money for the giant project might be difficult. Perhaps City Council could decide to undertake small steps as funds become available.
Another looming question is whether Kanawha Boulevard should be slimmed to four narrower lanes, or just two lanes with parking spots.
The spacious Boulevard was more necessary in the 1960s, when Charleston had 86,000 population and was crammed with traffic. Today, the city's population has dropped to 50,000, and Kanawha County's has declined likewise, so traffic needs are less. Also, arrival of the interstate highways after the 1960s diverted many vehicles away from Charleston's through streets. All these reasons make it more feasible to shrink Kanawha Boulevard.
We don't know whether council will adopt the proposals of the professional designers, or choose alternative ideas. But we hope the city moves boldly to take fuller advantage of the lovely waterway that graces Charleston. As the chief planner said last week:
"Think of this as Charleston's 'green ribbon,' upon which the city will build its new relationship with the river."