Southern Business and Development

Ten Great Downtown Waterfront Districts

By Don Hampton

Fifteen years ago, Little Rock's River Market District was nearly abandoned. Then the city took on an ambitious $300 million plan to renovate the area. The result is a spectacular, vibrant locale for shoppers and sightseers to enjoy the charm of this river city.

More and more communities, like Little Rock, are realizing the value of water in attracting business and tourism. These communities understand that investing in waterfront areas can provide a genuine boost that can significantly benefit the local economy. They know companies are looking for more than just financial incentives when they consider relocating - there is a very real "beauty factor" that can add to quality of life, as well as the bottom line.

Here are ten cities that are making the most of their waterfront areas.

Montgomery, Alabama

Montgomery, best known for its historical importance during the Civil War and Civil Rights movement, has invested more than $100 million in its riverfront district. Many new buildings, including a minor league baseball stadium, convention center and four-star hotel have risen over the past two years. The district also boasts a sprawling Riverwalk, restaurant and shopping complex, and a new 5,000-seat amphitheatre.

All of this provides a backdrop for the city's numerous historic sites, including the Rosa Parks Museum, the first White House of the Confederacy, Martin Luther King Jr.'s first pulpit and the Alabama State Capitol.

Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock's River Market District is a blend of local and international flavors. Visitors can walk through an area that is brimming with boutiques and specialty shops, pubs and restaurants, and local history.

Local farmers sell a variety of homegrown items at Ottenheimer Market Hall from spring to late fall. It is also home to a number of gourmet and specialty foods vendors.

At the Museum of Discovery, kids can conduct scientific experiments and learn amazing things about the world around them.

Columbus, Georgia

Situated on the Chattahoochee River, Columbus offers a surprising blend of the old and new South. The city's Chattahoochee RiverWalk is a 15-mile linear park that runs alongside the banks of the river.

The city's Civil War history is on display everywhere: as you walk the RiverWalk, and in numerous museums, including the Port Columbus Civil War Naval Center.

Nashville, Tennessee

The Cumberland River has long been at the heart of all that is Nashville. The river literally runs through the center of town.

Recently, the city undertook a bold plan to revitalize the river region. The plan calls for greater public access (including the building of three new bridges), protection of historic sites and more greenways.

Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk's economy and quality of life are directly tied to its waterways. It is home to the world's largest naval base. The city itself is centered on the port of Hampton Roads.

There are a number of attractions along the waterfront, including Nauticus, a hands-on ocean-related science and technology center, and the battleship Wisconsin. The Hampton Roads Naval Museum and the Douglas McArthur Memorial provide historical intrigue for visitors.

The city's pedestrian-friendly downtown waterfront is filled with museums, galleries, shops and dining.

Shreveport, Louisiana

The Red River District of Shreveport includes more than 40,000 feet of new commercial space and the restoration of buildings which have long stood vacant. This area, at one time almost totally abandoned, is now filled with commerce, live events and dining.

The area's renovation is a long-term project which has been funded by $25 million of private investment. The district will also include an $85 million convention center, hard edge and floating docks, and a $5 million regional visitors' center.

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is very proud of its history, and that history is deeply interwoven with waterways. Visitors can walk through scenic shopping districts, historic homes and straight to the ocean front.

In addition, Fort Sumter stands within view of downtown. The USS Yorktown, at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, was one of the key aircraft carriers of the US Navy in World War II.

Charleston Waterfront Park, which cost nearly $13.5 million to build, is a great piece of revitalization. The park is located a short walk from the city center, and has a 300-foot pier and provides a relaxing locale for visitors to take a respite from their shopping and sightseeing.

St. Petersburg, Florida

St. Petersburg's Pier is a lively center for tourists and locals to enjoy boutiques, fishing, dining and two of fascinating museums: the St. Petersburg Museum of History and the Museum of Fine Arts.

St. Petersburg also boasts the nation's longest over-the-water recreation trail, the 2.6-mile Friendship TrailBridge and Weedon Island Preserve, home to a new Native American Cultural Center.

Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore was a leader in urban renewal when the city began working on the Inner Harbor in the late 1970s. The area was largely in disrepair and the city worked diligently to replace old wharves and warehouses with attractive retail and dining options. The city added to its investment with the creation of the National Aquarium and the Maryland Science Center.

Today the Inner Harbor serves as a center of activity and tourism for a city that receives nearly 13 million visitors a year. The area is full of fun, energetic activities and attractions, including street entertainers, cruise boats, outdoor ice skating and open-air concerts. There are many historical sites, including Fells Point, the oldest section of the city, which remains centered on cobblestone streets and provides a wealth of pubs and restaurants.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

In the summer of 2004, Chattanooga mayor Bob Corker launched a $120 million riverfront development campaign. The campaign, which is scheduled to be completed by May of this year, includes:

A $30 million expansion of the Tennessee Aquarium
A $20 million expansion of the Hunter Museum of American Art
A $3 million renovation and additions to the Creative Discovery Museum
$26 million for enhancing public spaces along the Tennessee Riverfront - including pedestrian pier and bridge, boat slips, green spaces, wetlands park and playground
Retail, restaurant and private developments

Each of these cities is making a good thing even better - attracting business through the normal channels - and investing in the aesthetic edge that a vibrant waterfront district can provide. It makes good sense on an economic level and it makes life even more enjoyable for visitors and residents. It's definitely a win-win proposition.