VIDALIA, La. &045; Construction of a visitor’s center at the Vidalia Landing riverfront site should start as early as this fall, Mayor Hyram Copeland said Wednesday.

The complex will not only include a visitor’s center component, but meeting space and space for an Office of Tourism, &uot;20,000 to 25,000 square feet in all,&uot; Copeland said.

Architects should have plans drawn up in the next several weeks for the facility, which is expected to cost $3 million to $4 million.

Meanwhile, however, there is much work already taking place on the riverfront.

Crews are extending the riverwalk and road south of the Mississippi River bridge.

Such work will be paid for with state capital outlay money already handed down by the state Legislature.

Hopefully, the Vidalia Board of Aldermen will vote soon to authorize advertisement for installation of lighting and a security system, construction of pavilions, and related projects, Copeland said.

In addition, lawmakers are considering during this session another $845,000 in capital outlay money for Vidalia riverfront development, including the visitor welcome center and infrastructure.

That does not include an additional $122,800 from the state’s general fund for the visitor center.

And much has already been constructed at the Vidalia Landing site, including a walking path, an amphitheater, Lorraine’s Restaurant and a Comfort Suites Hotel north of the bridge.

An outpatient medical center is also being constructed north of the bridge, with the Riverview RV Park built to the south.

Copeland has said future expansion could include condominiums and a docking facility for pleasure craft.

Town officials have estimated that when the development is complete, it will have attracted about 150 permanent jobs and have cost more than $30 million.