Mobile aims to reopen Cooper Riverside Waterfront Park by 2026

MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) – The City Council voted Tuesday to add nearly $187,000 to the contract for repairs on the city embankment.

The work at Cooper Riverside Park is part of a comprehensive redevelopment of that part of downtown that includes the expected return of passenger rail service and a new attraction celebrating Mobile’s prowess on the baseball diamond and gridiron.

“We’re trying to really light up the waterfront and encourage people to come and enjoy the many benefits of Mobile’s waterfront,” said Nick Amberger, the city’s executive director of engineering and infrastructure. “The three components together, the Walk of Heroes, the improvements to Cooper Riverside Plaza and Amtrak, all three combined together make this a very pedestrian-friendly place.”

At this time, Cooper Riverside remains closed while Moffatt & Nichol replaces the bulkhead that separates the park from the Mobile River. It is the first of a two-part project that will cost $10 million with funds raised from the 2010 BP oil spill.

Amberger told FOX10 News he expects the first phase to be completed by May. He said the city hopes to award a contract soon for a second phase for overhead work at the revamped waterfront park.

The work will take place more or less simultaneously with the new one Square of Heroes nearby with statues of Mobile Hall of Fame athletes and a new Amtrak train stop which will be built in front of Cooper Riverside. In addition, residential and commercial development, known as River Walk Plaza planned in less than a thousand feet.

As for Cooper Riverside Park, Amberger said it will look familiar — with some new features.

“It will be completely redone,” he said. “I mean it’s going to be the inclusion of some items or the inclusion of them again,” he said. “But it will be a fresh makeover for the whole park.”