Northeast Alabama city eyeing pedestrian bridge over the Coosa River

The City of Gadsden is taking significant steps toward a major riverfront expansion, with officials recently announcing plans to explore the construction of a new pedestrian bridge over the Coosa River.

Funding and Development Goals

City leadership recently secured a $690,000 grant from Innovate Alabama, a public-private organization dedicated to fostering small businesses, technology, and local innovation. These funds are earmarked to cover the primary costs associated with engineering, design, and surveying for the prospective bridge.

While a construction timeline remains undetermined, the bridge serves as a vital component of a larger strategy to revitalize the city's riverfront. According to Mayor Craig Ford, the pedestrian link is a centerpiece of the GROW Gadsden master plan, designed to connect the downtown area with East Gadsden.

A Growing Riverfront Vision

The pedestrian bridge is just one piece of a broader vision for Gadsden’s future. The city is also working on the Coosa Harbor mixed-use development, a project inspired by Guntersville’s successful City Harbor project. Coosa Harbor is planned for city-owned land off Rainbow Drive that has sat idle for over two decades.

Additional efforts include plans to relocate a 1.2-mile segment of U.S. 411. By shifting the highway, the city aims to transform the space into an entertainment district and pedestrian green space. 205focus.com notes that turning the riverfront into a hub for commercial tax revenue has been a long-term goal for consecutive city administrations.

Connecting the Community

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the bridge is intended to provide a functional connection between a future downtown hotel and the Venue at Coosa Landing. Mayor Ford emphasized that the project goes beyond infrastructure, noting that it creates safer routes for exercise and travel, ultimately making Gadsden a more attractive destination for those looking to invest their talents and settle in the area.