April 4, 2006
Bainbridge- The Flint River is one of Bainbridge's most under used assets. The City Council is now considering a plan that would redevelop the riverfront, creating one seamless recreation zone for fun and shopping.
On a nice day, Bainbridge's Riverfront is already buzzing with activity. Boating and fishing, and the Jenkins family thinks it's a perfect place for a picnic.
"We enjoy it. We come about once a week, and we have a park at the boat basin that we enjoy, the kids like to swing and play with friends," said Kristi Jenkins, of Colquitt.
While many families already like what the riverfront has to offer, the city hopes new development will only bring in more visitors.
"What we want to see is a mixture of commercial and recreational activities that will draw people to both the downtown area and to the river," said Chris Hobby, Bainbridge City Manager.
Council Tuesday night considered a $62,000 master plan to redevelop the riverfront creating a seamless recreation zone from the boat basin to Cheney Griffin Park.
"We're talking about commercial activities as well, we've got to figure out what flood plain issues we have and those kind of things, because obviously the river is going to dictate how development can occur along its banks," said Hobby.
Once a plan is in place, residents could see improvements, including a skate park as early as next fall.
"I could see how people could enjoy improvements and maybe some shopping and restaurants and things like that," said Jenkins.
In hopes that the riverfront might become a cornerstone for the Bainbridge community for the next 25 to 30 years. Residents will get a chance to offer their opinions about the new development as early as June, once a preliminary plan is developed by Genesis Group of Tallahassee.
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