HARP, Congressman Salazar announce $1 million grant

The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo Authority, in cooperation with Congressman John Salazar and the US Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) held an official press conference regarding the recent $1 million grant awarded to the HARP Foundation.

Along with Congressman Salazar, dignitaries representing the City and County of Pueblo, the HARP Foundation, the Board of Water Works, the Pueblo Water Conservancy District and the EDA offered their congratulations and comments on the project. Denver Regional Director for the EDA, Robert Olson, made the $1 million check presentation to the HARP representatives.

The HARP Foundation staff began working on the grant application in October 2004, which originally only requested $750,000. With the help of Congressman Salazar and the City of Pueblo planning department, $1 million was the final award determination.

The grant monies will be allocated to Gateway Park, the third phase of Pueblo’s Riverwalk, which will extend under Grand Avenue and make the vital “link” to the planned expansion of the Pueblo Convention Center.

The announcement of the grant ensures that the phase three expansion will begin in the fall of 2006. HARP executive director, Steve Arveschoug noted that although this grant will allow for the start of construction of phase three, “with the price of construction increasing, at least another $3 million will have to be raised to guarantee the completion of Gateway Park.”

Gateway Park, the capstone project to the downtown redevelopment plan for the Riverwalk will extend under Grand Avenue and open up into a beautiful oval basin bordered by a brick path for pedestrians. There will be groomed gardens, trees, and fountains. Gateway Park at HARP continues an ongoing urban revitalization effort and creates a grand entrance to the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo from downtown.

Gateway Park will allow the Riverwalk to be visible from I-25 and help to clean up the I-25 corridor.

Since it’s inception, HARP has spurred over $100 million of revitalization in Pueblo’s downtown area including the El Pueblo Museum and the Pueblo Convention Center, as well as private development and renovation of properties located in the proximity. With the completion of Phase Three of the Riverwalk, lot sales are is expected to generate 700 new jobs in the area and attract $45 million in private investment.

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