Construction of a pavilion, a "musical playground," and walking and biking trails at a re-imagined Levee Park will mark the start of a new life for Hastings' downtown and riverfront.
That is what officials would like to see, at least.
The city's Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority hired Bolton & Menk, a Mankato-based engineering firm, to develop plans for an estimated $4 million worth of improvements to the riverside park and surrounding streets and alleys.
It's part of an ambitious revitalization project called "Beginning a Riverfront Renaissance." The second of two public hearings on the plan is scheduled for Monday's City Council meeting.
"That park component is open green space that abuts our downtown area, and the idea behind it is to try to revitalize some of that space and to invite members of the community and visitors to that space," Parks and Recreation Director Chris Jenkins said last week.
One goal, he added: "Visitors down there would then spill off into the downtown district and help support businesses there."
The local Rotary Club is raising money to build an amphitheater-style pavilion with seating area, adjacent to an existing veterans memorial, he said.
Once the plan is better defined, Jenkins said, city finance officials will decide how to fund the rest of the improvements to the 3-acre park.
