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Originally Posted by HSVTiger
opens the new Monroe Street bridge downtown, this will lead to the new canal being built between the Embassy Suite and VBC.
The rendering says pedestrian bridge but is also for vehicle traffic.
Not shown off the bottom of the page is a new roundabout across from the main branch downtown public library which is to the left.
Credit to Eric Papetti for this photo |
The 1,000-foot-long canal and the walkways on each side are considered a 5.5-acre addition to Big Spring International Park by Spencer's administration.
A short section of the canal was built under Monroe Street as part of the Monroe Street and Williams Avenue intersection improvements. The new work will extend the canal between the $40 million Embassy Suites, which is expected to be completed in fall of 2006, and the Von Braun Center South Hall.
The canal will feature two circular basins, two pre-cast bridges similar to the Monroe Street bridge and a stepping-stone bridge. Other features include brick pavement, decorative light fixtures, handrails and park benches.
"This is the beginning of another great opportunity for downtown Huntsville," Spencer said Monday.
The City Council awarded Miller & Miller Inc. a $3.4 million contract to build the canal. The city is supplying $2.4 million of the cost and the federal Economic Development Administration is providing $1 million.
C.B. Miller, chief executive officer of Miller & Miller, said after the ceremony that his company has begun work on the canal and it should be completed in about a year.
The 10-story, 300-room hotel will include a sky walk over the canal from the hotel to the VBC.