Cahaba River Park Phase I to be bid out

The future Cahaba River Park on Overton Road is one step closer to construction.

Phase I is scheduled to go out for bid in the next two to three weeks, according to Nimrod Long of Nimrod Long and Associates. Long came before City Council on Feb. 24 with the latest version of the park plans, which have been reduced in scale since they were initially bid out over budget. The bid process should take six to eight weeks, Long said.

Currently the phase is planned to include landscaping, parking, parking lot lighting, water fountains, the foundation for a future pavilion, and a path running under the River Run Road bridge to connect pedestrian traffic to Oakdale. Other facilities like an outdoor classroom, pavilion, benches, picnic tables and a fishing ledge could be added in future phases.

$450,000 is currently allotted in the City’s budget for the park, and the Park Board is heading up efforts to raise around $45,000 in additional private funds.

The City acquired the 4.7-acre park property in fall 2011 and began plans for it in early 2012.

The park could one day connect to a riverfront greenway trail similar to the Jemison Trail; a trail could run 1.5 to 2 miles to the Carraway-Davie House and Conference Center in Vestavia Hills.