The Connecticut river walk and bikeway was designed to revitalize the riverfront through Springfield, West Springfield, Chicopee, Agawam and Holyoke.

But some resident's say the beauty of the riverfront has been damaged by crime and trash. Which is why a few citizens have proposed an new idea to Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno.

Sheila McElwaine say's, "I think if the city took the river walk as park land it would enhance safety and the perception of safety."

Just last month two women were severely beaten and raped in the Park by 27 year old Anthony Hall who allegedly tried to lour women into the park under false pretenses.

Mayor Sarno says turning the river walk into park land is something the city will look into. And in the meantime he'll work on attracting more people to the area.

Mayor Sarno says, "with numbers and bodies brings public safety and then the next thing is to matriculate them into our downtown corridor."

Redevelopment of the river front has been a work in progress. The more recent additions have been LA Fitness, Onyx and Max's Tavern.

Sarno says the next plan will be to move the current visitor information center to a more popular location.

Mayor Sarno says, "That's going into the basketball hall of fame area and it still will be the William Sullivan tourist center because there is a lot of foot traffic there."

Which means the building currently being used for the information center will be open for another business to move in. Mayor Sarno says the city will also move forward with plans to redevelop the York Street Jail sight this fall.