Published June 22, 2016
Construction Begins On Second RiverScape River Run Structure
Heads up! This article was published 8 years ago.
Materials being reused from I-75 project for River Run, which when completed will serve as new regional recreation destination and economic development driver for downtown Dayton.
DAYTON, OH (June 22, 2016) —Work has begun on the second in-river structure for RiverScape River Run, located in the Great Miami River at RiverScape MetroPark.
Construction on the RiverScape River Run project began July 2015. The work on the first structure, which spans the river near the Dayton Art Institute, is nearly complete. The hazards associated with the low dam between Interstate 75 and Monument Avenue have been eliminated and replaced with a passage for recreational paddlers and a whitewater play chute for kayakers. Adjustments will be made this fall, after the nearby I-75 construction is complete, to improve the way the water flows through the chutes.
Five Rivers MetroParks has partnered with Kokosing, general contractor for the I-75 project, to reuse construction materials at the RiverScape River Run site. The materials will be used to create a coffer dam in the river, which temporarily clears the water and allows for the structure to be built.
“Repurposing these materials saves costs and helps MetroParks meet its mission to protect the region’s natural heritage by making the project more sustainable,” said Carrie Scarff, Five Rivers MetroParks’ deputy director. “We will continue to repurpose these materials for bank stabilization when the coffer dam is no longer needed.”
Construction on RiverScape River Run is weather dependent and will take a total of approximately 12 months of in-river work to complete. While work began almost a year ago, it stopped during winter and the spring fish spawning season.
Portions of the Great Miami Trail along the riverfront in RiverScape MetroPark will be closed during the construction, including during the city of Dayton’s Lights in Flight Fireworks Show and Festival on July 3. Snow fencing will mark the areas closed for construction. Visit metroparks.org/alerts for the most up-to-date information on closures.
The RiverScape River Run partners are Five Rivers MetroParks, Downtown Dayton Partnership, Miami Conservancy District, City of Dayton and Montgomery County. J & J Schlaegel of Urbana, Ohio, is the project contractor.
“RiverScape River Run is one of the most impactful projects in our region,” Scarff said. “River Run was identified as a high-priority project in the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan because of its potential to improve economic vitality and help regional businesses attract and retain top talent. Motivated by this potential, the greater Dayton community raised $4 million to fund this project, with funding coming largely from the private sector.”
It’s anticipated RiverScape River Run will experience the same success as similar projects elsewhere in the United States. Reno, Nevada; Missoula, Montana; and Golden, Colorado, have seen tremendous positive impact to their downtowns as a result of building whitewater play parks.
