The Columbia Waterfront Park Project ("Waterfront Project"), involves an historic and largely undeveloped site located on the western edge of the downtown street grid along the Congaree River. The "Waterfront Project" represents the progression of a vision which has its origins in urban planning designs for the City spanning well over a century which recognized that a waterfront park would enhance community well-being, promote environmental sustainability, provide recreational opportunities, and ultimately become a significant source of civic pride. The purpose of the Columbia Waterfront Park Project is to create a premier multi-purpose public park that enhances community engagement, promotes environmental sustainability, provides recreational, educational, and entertainment opportunities and supports economic development. It is also the intent the Park Project will enhance community well-being and quality of life, promote environmental education and conservation, provide passive and active recreational spaces for various activities (walking trails, sports fields, picnic areas, interpretive features, canoe and kayak put in/take out, amphitheater, and natural gardens and greenways), and inspire partnerships between private investors and public entities. It is the intent of the City to incorporate a phased approach for programming and projects to include, those listed above to be seen as initial considerations; the City will seek the Firms selected to respond in the RFP phase to provide their more comprehensive vision for the entire project.
