First, the walkways are positioned higher up the banks, closer to the street level than in the traditional river bend area of the river. This is to encourage access to the river from adjacent properties, enhancing the important interrelationship between the river and its neighbors, and to allow the river to efficiently move high water safely through San Antonio during heavy rains.

Second, to help restore the river to its natural beauty, six different water features flank the river as it meanders through the urban surroundings. Exaggerated curves and bends reveal the Museum Reach's treasures gradually as you stroll it.

Third, in keeping with the River Improvement Overlay, the walkways change every so often with different pavers, patterns, textures or colors keeping the view below your feet as interesting as the sights around you.

Fourth, the Museum Reach has three distinct themes — the Hugman theme, the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) theme and the Rio Perla (The Pearl) theme — that take their cues from their namesake surroundings.

The original River Walk was designed by Robert H. H. Hugman and constructed by the Works Progress Administration in the late 1930s and early 1940s. It was important to all of us that his original principles be carried forward into the Museum Reach. Beginning at Lexington Street, where the historic Hugman design ends, is a transition area where the bulkheads (the walls that contain the river itself) and walkways are built with cut limestone, such as they are throughout the downtown River Walk. Plantings are tropical and shade is prevalent. However, as you move northward, the Museum Reach is not simply a copy of Hugman's work; the distinctive elements along this entire stretch of river reflect specific locations and particular features.

Just north of Brooklyn Avenue is the lock and dam system. The engineering behind it is quite simple: The dam maintains sufficient depths upstream, while the two locks allow gravity-fed water to lift and to lower the barges a total of 9 feet. A plaza and pedestrian bridge over the river give visitors and lockmasters a wonderful vantage point from which to watch the whole process.

Next begins the SAMA theme, where the river takes on a different, more natural character. SAMA's distinctive brick is used in the walkways, and the restored bridge that once connected SAMA's twin towers now serves as a pedestrian crossing at Roy Smith Street. The banks are not as sloped and include numerous water features and colorful displays of native landscaping between the walkway and the river. Bulkheads change from predominantly stone to a knife edge with vegetation that spills down to the waterline. Large heritage trees tower over the river, preserved through a technique called soil nailing, which allowed us to wind the walkways around their massive trunks without destroying their root systems.

The third section reflects the industrial look of the restored Pearl Brewery, one of the most significant developments along this stretch of river. Sand-blasted concrete replaces brick, and the landscaping mimics the Texas Hill Country. Three bridges — at Interstate 35, Camden Street and Newell Street — break up the river frontage and create space for park areas.

A grotto designed by San Antonio artist Carlos Cortés creates an artificial cave feature where walkers can stroll behind a waterfall. A large turning basin behind The Pearl enables barge riders to disembark before the barge makes the return trip back to the downtown area. In the coming years, one of the barge landings in the turning basin will double as a stage for an amphitheater on The Pearl property. Bald cypress trees are growing all around the turning basin and on two small islands in the middle of the basin, including one that was given by Linda Hardberger to her husband, Mayor Phil Hardberger, as an anniversary present two years ago.

The guiding principle of the Museum Reach design was that the improved river be as unique and delightfully different as we could make it, while continuing the spirit that has made our city's River Walk world-renowned for its charm and character.

The public sector partners — the city of San Antonio, Bexar County and San Antonio River Authority — have done their part, and the San Antonio River Foundation has raised the money for the public art works. Now it's up to the vision and entrepreneurial spirit of the private sector to capitalize on the investment.

But economic development won't happen overnight — if the history of the River Walk has taught us anything, it is that the charm cannot be forced. It is the fervent hope of many contributors that the visionaries of today and tomorrow will use their creativity to transform an undervalued and blighted area into the vibrant, mixed-use urban neighborhood envisioned for River North. Over time, we all will reap the benefits.

Boone Powell, FAIA, president of Ford, Powell & Carson Inc. He served as principal-in-charge of the San Antonio River Improvements Project Museum Reach.