Part II of II

Whitney Summers, vice president/business development manager-East Region at Neel-Schaffer, Inc. (top left of photo) updated Shelbyville City Council at its last study session about the progress being made by her firm regarding the City’s proposed Riverview District Walkway/Overlook. (See part I in the Aug. 14 edition of the T-G.)
Yes, it’s going to be expensive. But Summers advised Council members not to get scared because there are a lot of grants available for such projects, especially those aimed at enhancing tourism.
Mayor Randy Carroll asked about the City’s financial burden for this project. Summers said there are some matching dollars required by the City for certain grants.
He also asked about concrete versus asphalt for the walkway. She said concrete will be much more expensive, much more, given the work that's going ot have to be done.
“It will be a 10-foot path . . . probably have to put a little concrete in there to build that up. It will be asphalt.”
The City has planned and worked toward this project for a few years now-an overlook and walkway to the square area that is planned to enhance tourism by providing a regional venue for concerts and recreational activities.
Summers said as a refresher, a TAP federal grant for which the City applied through TDOT, was awarded in July 2021. The contract was signed soon after. The engineers have been working on the project since.
From a cost perspective, there's a past approved grant from 2021 (including 80/20 match by Cityt) for just over $1.3 million. That grant pays for construction, according to Summers.
After she told Council about how lovely the project is going to be and healthy for the Duck River area off the public square, she got down to some cost estimates.
Summers advised Council “not to take it to the bank yet” but informed them that the cost of this Riverview project phase is estimated now, without final material and design costs, at $2.7 million.
Some sighs could be heard in the room.
She advised her firm is already in conversation with Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) about available grants.
One federal grant she mentioned is the CMAQ or Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program which provides dedicated federal funding to state departments of transportation for projects that improve air quality and reduce congestion.
The CMAQ program improves air quality by funding transportation projects and programs that reduce air emissions from cars, trucks and buses (mobile sources) in air quality non-attainment and maintenance areas, which are the only areas eligible for CMAQ funding. Because this is a new project to enhance tourism but is also an environment type project so to speak, the City could possibly toss its hat in the ring for these dollars, based on criteria.
City Treasurer Kay Parker asked about when grant awards would be announced and awarded. She said the CMAQ request is in and dollars available are being evaluated. the TAP program has not been opened yet for 2026 applications. She told Parker the City would apply in October and hear in July.
She said there are exceptions, sometimes, for early awards.
Mayor Carroll asked if the City’s looking at another year to start this project.
“Right now, we’re sitting at May 2026- contractor signing contracts and the pre-construction meeting is happening.”
Councilman Bobby Turnbow, 75, asked if he’d get to stroll on to Riverview Walk before he dies of old age. He said it’s been at least 4 years since this project was first discussed.
She said it’s a “lengthy process” and construction is going to be about a 9-month process. Actual completion date, when people can walk, is set for 2027.