Bill Lunsford, owner of Riverwalk Place, said that he was relieved after the Tuscaloosa City Council approved construction of the $7.5 million to $8 million project that will bring 195 jobs to Tuscaloosa.
Riverwalk Place is a development consisting of approximately 17,000 square feet that will hold 22 condos and 40 beds in its upper levels and retail space and a general restaurant on its lower level.
“It is a relief to have this approved,” he said. “After we discuss the funding issues, we will be prepared to begin construction.”
The building will be located on the banks of the Black Warrior River on Jack Warner Parkway next to River Road Park West.
Lunsford said they introduced this project several years ago and have gone through several designs. He said that construction of the buildings will begin within the next year.
Councilman Bobby Howard of District 1, where development will be built, said that he has seen this project go through several changes as he also is a member of the planning commission. “This neighborhood is very historic and the residents are very active in their community and they brought up several concerns,” he said.
Residents who attended the meeting addressed several negative components that the development could bring to their area such as waste issues and destruction of natural resources.
There was also the consistent concern of noise that may come from college students who choose to live in the Riverwalk Place.
“While we are not targeting college students to live here,” Lunsford said, “we do suspect that some will decide to stay with us, and we will handle all problems accordingly.” He said that they have contacted a company about daily pickup of the waste that the residents were concerned about.
Howard said, “With a project like this there comes cost of progress and we will have to deal with them and monitor all restrictions that may need to be made.”
Mayor Walt Maddox agreed and said, “The concerns of the residents are understandable, but I feel that we will be able to mitigate them.” He said that he feels that Riverwalk Place will be a first-class development.
“My concern was the public having access to the river and in the plans they have shown that the public will,” he said. “Therefore, since they are abiding by the law, we really can’t say no.”
Lunsford said that the next step in the construction of Riverwalk Place is the funding, and if the opportunity is available they will apply for small government grants. “In times as these the funding is an issue, and we are working now to get all of our tenants in place,” he said.
