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Implementation Assets Grand Junction proceeds with at least four major strong suits with regard to its riverfront. First, one is the superb river resource itself. For all the scrap and dereliction beside the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers, the water bodies themselves are in good shape. The setting is stunning and would be appreciated if people could get to it comfortabl y. Second is the presence of the approximately $60-million Federal clean-up effort by the Department of Energy. It represents an extranrdiTlllTy opportunity to affect change along the river. It is critical that the City's efforts be linked as closely as possible to the timetable for the clean-up, and conversely that the Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project be coordinated with the City and the Riverfront Commission so as not to take an action inconsistent with local objectives. The possible provision of a new City/County staff person to provide day-to-day coordination would be most beneficial, par- ticularly if possessing a planning background to supplement existing City resources. Third is the existence of a Riverfront Commission with proven leadership and community respect. Many communities never get to this level, or take months to create such a body. Fourth is the general political acumen in Grand Junction, the City's prominence in Colorado and, not least, a supportive media. Specifics - Coordinate with the Department of Energy and its con- sultants in the mill tailings clean-up. If done right this will make the overall river transformation possible, and if not done right, could be a long-term setback. There should be a stated determination in the community that auto wrecks, once removed from the riverfront, should not, repeat not, be moved back to this area by the Federal taxpayers. We think the City should be prepared to use its ultimate authority of condem- nation to bar private property owners from insisting that salvage be returned to the river once removed. The psychological impact of clearing the riverfront, making it at once attractive to residents and passersby, only to have it again devoted to wreck storage, would be a severe blow. - An obvious companion to coordination with the Depart- ment of Energy is accelerated effort to acquire the key river parcels. These were identified, as belonging to Messieurs Dunn, Lewis and Jarvis. This is ongoing and there is little we can add except to say that securing these major parcels for public ownership, by donation, swap or outright purchase, is the key action underwriting the National Endowment for the Arts team's suggestions. - As soon as a piece of riverfront comes into the hands of the Commission, through donation as has occurred, land swap or through purchase, an immediate effort should be made to accomplish several things. First, one is to encourage a clean-up. Perhaps this is a responsibility of the suggested Friends of the Rivers, working with City and County crews. 28 Second is to erect a sign labeling the area as part of the "River- front Rejuvenation", or however the Commission styles its effort, together with its logo. Third would be to install a pathway. The idea is to put into place right away a piece of what will eventually become a riverfront reality, namely a con- tinuous path for bikers, hikers and runners. Even if it does not connect right away with any other piece of pathway, ,segments nonetheless will signal that the Commission is serious about a public pathway along the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers. - Stage an event on the Van Gundy property beside Fifth Street at the confluence of the two rivers. With the coopera- tion of the property owner, the idea is to acquaint people with the spectacular vista from this site. Whether an existing event can be transferred here, or some new event sponsored by the Commission is desired, is not important, it's getting people in numbers to see for themselves what they have that's critical. Perhaps a summer and winter solstice observance would be appropriate to the site. - We encourage an early clean-up weekend on Watson (or as renamed, Lewis) Island. This requires the cooperation of the property owners and will benefit from City cooperation in providing heavy equipment. A Friends of the Rivers volunteer organization might be set up by the Commission to carry out such an effort. At the conclusion of a Saturday or Sunday event, we recommend a party with beer and music. RESOURCES: Bronx River Restoration, 375 East Fordham Rd., Bronx, N.Y. 104B5; 212/933-4079, Mississippi River Revival, P.O. Box 10281, Minneapolis, Minn. 55440. "Year of the River" - an overall river awareness campaign discussed in Chapter 6 in Urban Watemonts '85, appended. Contact: River Action Inc" Box 964, Quad Cities, Iowa 52805; 303/322-2969. Salvage Yard North of Watson Island