Smoky Hill River Renewal Project Steering Committee Members have been refining concepts presented to the public at open houses held July 20 and September 28.  As part of the design process, the City and design team has met with the 26 member community steering committee to incorporate input.

The October steering committee meeting focused on aesthetics and bridge types. The committee recommended bridges that would be easy to construct and maintain. They also discussed aesthetic enhancements for bridges and artwork, columns, banners and other enhancements along the river corridor.

The November steering committee meeting featured a discussion on preferred design aesthetics along the Smoky Hill River corridor, and prioritized functional elements such as trails, landscaping and bridge railing, lighting, piers, columns, and detailing.

The steering committee was provided a new rendering depicting a concept for the Founders Park and Western Star Mill Dam area. In this concept, the area would feature a new pedestrian bridge and plaza, overlook with a waterfall feature, and step pools with kayak and canoe chutes.

There will be five more steering committee meetings, with feedback from these meetings culminating into design concepts that will be presented to the public in November 2018.

For information pertaining to the Smoky Hill River Renewal Project, visit salina-ks.gov/riverrenewal. Specific questions regarding the project should be directed to Martha Tasker, City of Salina Utilities Director, by emailing [email protected] or calling (785)309-5725.