VIDALIA, La. – Bids should be accepted in October for construction of the second phase of the Vidalia Landing riverfront development, according to Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland.

&uot;That should include such things as the amphitheater … and covered walkways,&uot;&160;Copeland said.

He is estimating the project’s second phase could be completed as early as early spring. The recently completed first phase of construction included a riverwalk, roads and other infrastructure.

&uot;Construction usually slows down during the winter, but we have had some mild winters in the past few years, and I think that if that trend continues, we should be in good shape,&uot; Copeland said.

Sidney Murray Jr., chairman of the town’s Riverfront Authority, agreed with that timeline — but said one would need a crystal ball to know for sure.

&uot;It all depends on how this weather goes,&uot;&160;Murray said. &uot;But we’re going to go ahead and start on it as soon as possible.&uot;

Murray also hopes that by the end of this week he will receive approval from the State of Louisiana to spend about $1.58 million in capital outlay money for the project.

The State Bond Commission approved those funds for the development in mid-July.

&uot;But we can’t do any work (on the second phase), not even engineering work, until the state gives us a release to spend that money,&uot; Murray said.

&uot;Once that is done, we have to get our working plans completed so the contractors will have something to bid on, and then the council has advertise for bids. But if all that goes well, I’d say we should be finished with this phase by spring.&uot;

When it is completed, the $45 million development could include a visitors center, stores, restaurants, an amphitheater, condominiums, recreational fields and other attractions.

A group of doctors is working on plans to build an outpatient surgical center there. An RV park south of the Mississippi River bridge should be ready for business by October’s Great Mississippi River Balloon Race.

Officials have said the development, which has been in the works since 1992, could attract tourists and bring 400 jobs to a parish with double-digit unemployment.