SELMA — City officials say they’re waiting on the Alabama Department of Transportation to turn over the money so they can advertise for bids to begin phase one of the proposed Riverfront Park.

“We understand the money will be turned loose on Oct. 1,” said Charlotte Griffeth, director of the city Planning and Development Department.

The money — about $340,000 — will pay for construction of about 2,300 linear feet of a 10-foot wide concrete path, a 50-foot timer bridge and two overlooks adjacent to the Alabama River.

The city broke ground on the project back in June.

Chuck Kelly, a landscape architect from Gresham, Smith and Partners, said construction won’t begin right away.

“We have to award a bid for the project. That will take several weeks,” he said. “We’ll get started just about when the rainy season begins.

Kelly said officials at ALDOT wanted to make sure all the “i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed” before releasing the money for the project.

There is no date for completion of phase one.

“We’re glad to get it started,” said Mayor George Evans.