Fixing a crumbling canal walk

The oldest portion of the downtown canal walk could soon get a $3.2-million upgrade. The city is finalizing plans for new pavement, stairs, retaining walls, lighting and railings along the canal between Ohio and West streets. The Metropolitan Development Commission is scheduled Wednesday to approve a bid from Smock Fansler Corporation to replace the crumbling pavers and stairs, along with a new elevator and water feature at Ohio Street and the canal (click for a larger rendering). Many of the limestone pavers will be replaced with granite. The project will take about eight months to complete and could begin in the next few months.