BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - The Rotary Trail, the long-envisioned, $4.5 million extension of Railroad Park from 20th Street to 24th Street along First Avenue South, could be a completed reality a year from now.

More than a quarter of a century in the making, the trail will follow what is often referred to as the old "railroad cut" though its actually the result of a railroad fill from when the railroads used to run in a wider swath through downtown Birmingham, steaming the Magic City into its industrial growth. Each block of the new Rotary Trail will include different design characteristics and officials hope it will helps lead downtown into a new future.

The design by Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood was approved by the Birmingham Design Review Committee earlier this month. It incorporates running and walking paths, bench seating, picnic areas, landscaping, lighting and amenities from amphitheaters to boardwalks.

Starting on 20th Street and traveling to the east, visitors to the trail can expect to find:

A 46-foot sign reminiscent of the historic "Birmingham the Magic City" signs will mark "Rotary Trail in the Magic City" on a similar metal skeletal frame. Landscaping, lighting and railing will entice visitors down into the trail.

At Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard, stairwells and more modest signage will let travelers above know that a greenway with spaces to walk, sit or play is just below.

Boardwalks under the viaducts at Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard and 22nd Street will have rocks and small boulders reminiscent of a dry riverbed.

The eastern terrace at 23rd Street will have space for more bench seating as well as sculptured seating to encourage visitors to stop and enjoy the space.

An amphitheater at 23rd Street will encourage impromptu street performances as the elevation of the trail brings visitors back up to street level and a more modern entrance will adorn the 24th Street entrance to the trail.

Jane Ross, architect with Goodwyn Mills and Cawood, said at its deepest point, the trail will be 14 feet below street level after the improvements are complete.

"This is a project that has been talked about for 25 years in some form," Ross said. "Several things have come together to make it possible today."

The success of the Railroad Park itself is a big part of why the Rotary Trail is getting off the ground. Also, a commitment of $2.5 million from the Rotary Club of Birmingham in honor of its 100th year is another critical element. The City of Birmingham is spending another $2 million on streetscape and structural improvements that will support the trail.

"We're excited about the extension it gives to the Railroad Park, which has been a big hit for this community," Birmingham Mayor William Bell said in interview.

Bell praised the Rotary Club of Birmingham for making the trail its premier project on its 100th anniversary. Like others, Bell sees the trail as catalyst for more economic development outside of the area surrounding Railroad Park.

"Absolutely this will enhance and drive business to new areas," Bell said.

"This project does a couple of important things," said David Fleming, chief executive of REV Birmingham. "It expands momentum from ground zero around the Railroad Park and the baseball field and extends it to another area of downtown. It will help spur new development in that area. There are several examples of well-designed projects like this becoming a catalyst for new investment and development, such as the Railroad Park and baseball park and Avondale Park. It also helps connect districts with each other. Connectivity has been a main focus for REV."

The Rotary Trail project will use similar plants and landscaping from Railroad Park to help tie the projects together, Ross said.

It's part of a "Cross to Sloss" initiative that will eventually have a greenway connection from the CrossPlex sports arena in Five Points West to Sloss Furnaces near the Lakeview and Avondale neighborhoods. New developments such as the Regions Field baseball park to the west and the Sloss visitors' center to the east would be connected by the Rotary Trail project and the Jones Valley Trail, its future street-level extension that will continue the greenway to 32nd Street.

"It's a further expansion of a dream that began 25 or so years ago," Fleming said. "This really is a way of tying Birmingham's industrial past to its present and future."

Ross said the Rotary Trail project is expected to go to bid in early 2014 and construction could take up to eight months to complete.

"We want this to be the kind of community asset that builds on what Railroad Park has started," Ross said.