As Gadsden’s riverfront development continues to improve and grow, it’s bringing “extraordinary opportunities” to the city, Mayor Sherman Guyton has said of the progress taking place along the Coosa River.

The development – likely to be called “The Venue at Coosa Landing” – is a multi-million dollar, multi-use public/private partnership on a 14-acre lot owned by the City of Gadsden. The project will include event and retail space, restaurants and a new convention center.

The property has nearly 20,000 square feet available for retail and restaurant tenants to lease. And waterfront parcels are available for new, river-facing dining establishments. Spring of 2018 is the targeted completion date.

Large public gatherings such as banquets, trade shows and stage performances will take place in the public space, says Brian DiRusso, senior architect at CCR Architecture and Interiors in Birmingham, who is serving as project architect.

“I was most inspired by the beauty and potential of the adjacent waterfront,” says DiRusso of the project.

Activities planned for the new convention center long took place in historic Convention Hall located downtown. Built in 1935, it has served as a mixed-use facility designed to provide space for a variety of events. DiRusso says the city expressed a need for additional flexible event space.

“This project will effectively act as a replacement for the existing Convention Hall on the other side of the Coosa River,” adds DiRusso, who views the new convention center “as a new start for a vacant property along a major thoroughfare in Gadsden’s heart.”

The Venue at Coosa Landing is an expansion of the riverfront park along the Coosa River adjacent to Coosa Landing, which includes Riverwalk Park with a boardwalk, picnic pavilions, as well as docks and piers for fishing or tying up boats.

“Pedestrian routes around the development will connect to the adjacent Riverwalk at Coosa Landing,” explains DiRusso. “We expect that many events held at the new facility will be associated with use at the waterfront. For instance, boat shows, fishing tournament banquets and other outdoor events that could benefit from indoor gathering spaces.”

Image 1- Pedestrian routes around the new development are planned to connect to the adjacent Riverwalk at Coosa Landing. The Venue project is set to be completed by spring of 2018.

Image 2- The Venue at Coosa Landing will expand Gadsden’s riverfront with a 20,000-square-foot building designed for multiple purposes. The 14-acre site is owned by the City of Gadsden.

*Article By Jessica Armstrong and Images Courtesy of  CCR Architecture and Interiors