Biddeford, ME - The City of Biddeford and the Biddeford RiverWalk Coalition will introduce plans for building a spectacular urban river walk along the SacoRiver and beside several historic mill buildings at a kick-off meeting on Wednesday, October 21st at 6 PM at North Dam Mill.

The meeting comes directly on the heels of the new Mill District Master Plan, commissioned by the city in 2008 and delivered by Crosby Schlessinger Smallridge LLC to the city council in late September. "Much momentum has already been generated in the form of designation as a historic mill district in 2008 and funding from the Maine Department of Economic Development," says Biddeford's planner, Greg Tansley. "We wanted to unveil our exciting project as soon as the plan was completed."

The RiverWalk will run along the SacoRiver between Mechanic's Park and the Diamond Match property in Biddeford, with ultimate connections across the river to Saco, to neighborhoods, schools and businesses, and link with local, regional and national trails including the Eastern Trail.

Plans call for a three-phased construction timeline over the next year, commencing this fall. Wright-Pierce and Richardson & Associates will conduct the engineering and design to get the process rolling. The National Park Service Rivers & Trails Program will provide technical assistance over the coming year as well. The newly formed Biddeford River Walk Coalition will seek and provide public feedback, build support, and help raise funds for the project.