After years of planning and construction, the community celebrated the completion of the BUILD grant project, also known as the Riverfront Infrastructure Improvement Project, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, September 18. City and State leaders joined together to celebrate Paducah’s new excursion pier, grand entrance to downtown, the park with the compass rose feature, and more.
This investment in Paducah’s riverfront is funded primarily through a $10.4 million BUILD grant (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) awarded through the U.S. Maritime Administration, along with $3.5 million in State funding.
View the ceremony which includes comments from state and local officials, a ceremonial check presentation, and the official ribbon cutting in this 24-minute video.
The BUILD Grant project includes several improvements throughout the riverfront and downtown area. Several of the major features are as follows:
- Construction of a 500-foot-long excursion pier and excursion plaza, creating an inviting riverfront destination and enhanced arrival point for riverboat passengers.
- Intersection improvements at the entrance to the Paducah-McCracken County Convention and Expo Centers.
- Development of a multimodal pathway adjacent to the Quilt Murals, improving connectivity for pedestrians and other users.
- Creation of a compass rose feature and enhanced park space near the transient dock, including a terraced mound and seating areas.
- Installation of new bus shelters and crosswalks to improve pedestrian access, safety, and connectivity.
Construction on the project began in November 2024.
