October 24, 2023

Bank Donates to Riverwalk Bridge

BY SUSAN ALLEN Manchester Journal

MANCHESTER - The Manchester Riverwalk received a $25,000 donation from the Bank of Bennington Foundation, bringing the organization to about $230,000 of its total fundraising goal to build a pedestrian bridge over the West Branch of the Battenkill.

In addition, the project has received the offer of a $50,000 match grant—they must come up with the other$50,000—toward the project, according to Riverwalk Board Chair Margaret Donovan. "We're still fundraising, but we'd love to close it out this year," she said Monday. Planning for the Riverfront improvements and public access have been on-going since that topic was listed as one of four priorities by residents during community planning in 2000.

Fund-raising for the pedestrian bridge started in 2019. "We are so thankful for this grant, a wonderful acknowledgment that The Bank of Bennington understands how transformative this bridge—and our subsequent work to enhance the Riverwalk—will be for Manchester and the surrounding region," Donovan said in a release.

Jim Brown, president of The Bank of Bennington added, "We want to support organizations that build community, stimulate economic growth in our region, and educate people. This bridge project ticks all those boxes, and we see it as a win for Manchester and for the surrounding towns." The bridge would cross the West Branch, connecting the Town Green to the Main Street commercial corridor. The structure would be 110 feet long, and feature educational placards about the ecology of the river, the history of the town and more. The bridge will be ADA complaint, which drove up the cost but was a priority for the board.

Donovan said completion of the bridge—she hopes construction begins in 2024—is Phase I of the overall Riverfront project. The next phases include creating steps down to the water, and improving and enhancing the Riverwalk itself, she said. According to the release, the Manchester Riverwalk is a 50 le (3) non-profit organization with a mission to "build, beautify, and maintain public pathways along the West Branch of the Battenkill River in Manchester, thereby enhancing vibrancy in the community, while creating a compelling recreational and cultural destination.

Learn more about the Manchester Riverwalk Association at manchesterriverwalk.org. In addition to the Bank of Bennington, other business donors to the Riverwalk project include the Wohler Realty Group, rk Miles, Raymond James and Merrill Lynch.